Do tanneries typically keep the tag? I told 'em I wanted it back, as a souvenier, but it didn't come back with the fisher pelt. I know it was my pelt I got back. It occured to me that maybe GNF is required by law to keep it to avoid someone using it again. That or they were in a hurry. I don't know.

First of all, a tag on a fisher is NOT a CiTES tag. It is a State of Wisconsin tag.

It depends on thebtannery as to whether they leave tags on or not. The pelts I send to Moyles come back with tags still attached.

Some tanneries cut the tags off automatically to prevent problems in the drumming process. But that is just an excuse on their part. Pelts with tags can be drummed without problems (most of the time). NAFA does thousands of bobcats.

Thanks for the great info.

I think Wi may have changed the tags they use. This year on my otter they used a white plastic tag that says US Cites on it. In November of 2016 when I registered my fisher, I believe it was a metal Wisconsin tag that the warden put on my fisher.

Moyles require all proper tags/seals with the pelt. Our state(NY) requires certain pelts sealed, a plastic seal. I sent my Fisher with the seal(red) attached as require and received it back with the tag as sent on the tanned pelt.



DO NOT REMOVE GOVERNMENT TAGS/SEALS
Moyle Mink & Tannery will reject furs/hides believed to be missing a required government tag or seal. You, the shipper, must know the laws of your state including which species require tags and/or seals for state export. Skins that have tags/seals attached that have been tampered with or tag/seals that are not attached to the hide will also be rejected.

Removing tags/seals may put your hides at risk even if it is legal for you to remove them. To be safe do not remove any tag/seal even if you are allowed to do so by the laws of your state.
Although your state may allow taxidermists to remove tags/seals, it may still be illegal to ship that raw skin out of your state without a tag/seal. In such cases where laws conflict the export clause takes precedence.
Some states may not require a tag for a specific species unless it is going to be shipped out of state raw. It is up to you, the shipper to know these details of wildlife law if you are going to be shipping raw furs/hides out of state.
If your state allows a tag to be removed for tanning or “processing” it does not mean it can be removed for shipment to a tannery: it can be removed only at the tannery.
Even if your state does not have tags/seals for one or more of the following, we recommend that you request CITES tags from US F&W and attach them to raw otter, bobcat, lynx and wolves for interstate shipment. This is your best insurance against wrongful seizure by law enforcement while your raw skins are in another state or transit.
Tag Damage: We understand taxidermist's concern that tags attached through the eye of a furbearer or Mt. Lion may damage the eye during processing. Therefore, if attached through the eye, MM&T will remove tags/seals from furbearers and Mt. Lions designated for taxidermy tanning at the time of processing. You will receive the tag back in an envelope with your tanned skin. Tags on pieces designated for Intact Fur Dressing will not be removed and will stay attached to the fur / hide.

I tag all pelts that I send to any tannery for processing and I have never had one removed. I use the DNR serialized tags for those required to have them and use my own serialized tags for some of the other species. On smaller items, I will use colored zip ties. I always note the tag numbers and the zip tie color combinations on the packing list when I ship them. Never had a problem doing it this way.

Otters are CITES critters, hence the plastic CITES tag.

Fisher are not. Your metal tag was most likely removed because of the pickling process. Acids and metals don't mix well.

Otter and bobcat CITES tags have been plastic for quite a few years (20?, maybe more).

After several years of metal CITES tags, it became apparent to USF&W, that it was too easy to remove and switch the metal tags. Plastic not so much. I knew a trapper in western Washington that was very good at switching tags........

Oh, ok. Thanks for claryfing.

I sent in my otter this week. I asked GNF to return the white tag if possible.

GNF received my otter yesterday at 1:46 (according to the tracking number check I did on USPS' website). Then 14 minutes later, at 2:00 pm, I got a call from GNF. How can you beat that speed for check-in...
Their service really is incredible.