Giving Away Fur

Here's an idea. Instead of giving away our fur to the fur industry ....... donate it to have made into garments for children in cold 3rd world countries. Mitts, hats, vests, nothing fancy just simple & utilitarian purpose. Don't need no middle man, no fashion designer. C'mon some of you geniouses - put your thinking caps on. Lemons into lemonade bla blah blah.

And it has monetary value as a tax write off ie. charitable donation .

But think of the publicity angle of that. Trappers donating fur to keep freezing children warm. A large scale effort like that would be great publicity for us. All we'd need to find is someone willing to sew it up... but the biggest stumbling block would be tanning fees.

Urine tanning !! I've got lots of that ! Pretty good stream , I must say , for a guy approaching middle age .

So these third world countries are where? I think mostly in warm climates.
Also ever notice how much the trapper share in a garment is? I think we could give them away and they would still be out of the price range of most poor people.
Come to think of it we are pretty much giving them away now.

you do have a point on the publicity it would give us a very good reputation. not only is it a great cause. But it also gives us a great publicity through out the world

This idea makes me think of some unscrupulous guy taking all the little kids furs and cashing them in for himself. Do these charitable deals ever work out in third World Countries?

I figured instead of giving my fur to some Chinese fur buyer, that I'd give some to my State Trapping Association. They can have them tanned and sell them for a fund raiser. I gave them 22 coyotes, 50 coons, 12 foxes, 10 beavers, and a half dozen bobcats. After the last NAFA check, I figured I made a good investment, and got a lot more satisfaction.

LOL, oh, the irony.

But you make a good point, most associations can't be trusted. So perhaps the way to do something like this, is individually, and create a network of individuals as opposed to an organization. Think, those little old ladies that crochet blankets for preemies, and send them direct to the hospitals? They each create their own blankets, and send them direct, but they organize into a group for the purpose of recruiting more people willing to donate.

Lol...

If this comes together I'm in! Angela, I disagree, I believe most state associations are very trustworthy.

All depends on the angle

If this would work I'm in

This is all well and good, but who is going to put up the money for tanning and manufacture of the garments?

It's often more effective to find a problem then find a solution you all seem to be putting the cart before the horse. You all wanna make mittens first and find freezing kids second lol. I am unaware of what kids need fur coats and as far as this sort of thing goes many 3rd world countries have figured out charity and their corrupt leaders funnel goods through their corrupt channels and make money and do nothing to help the needy. Where I work had a trailer load of shirts and new unworn cloths to donate and no one wanted them every charity said the same thing that they "aren't equipped to handle such donations but if you would like to send money they could accept that"

Maybe the 3rd world country is staring us right in the face ...... where has America been headed the last 1/4 century?

I don't see any grand non profit doing this. They tend to corruption, as others here have mentioned. Trappers are certainly spread out enough here and some might know of a kid who could benefit from a warm blanket or hat. The tanning is a stickler though. I haven't really thought this through as with most of my pipe dreams.

This idea makes me think of some unscrupulous guy taking all the little kids furs and cashing them in for himself. Do these charitable deals ever work out in third World Countries?



I hate to say it but we think alike!

I hate to sound negative about this, but if we give fur to 3rd world countries and others in need, we would be branding fur garments as something poor people wear. It would not be in the best interest of a recovering fur market.
Instead selling the fur as a fundraiser then donating the funds to purchase a different garment type (that is also easier to care for) might carry the same PR and actually put more coats on kids.

You don't need to look far for a "3rd world country". There's plenty of proverty stricken reservations/tribes and villages in North America along with some very run down neighborhoods in major cities.

To heck with third world countries. We have given them enough over the years. It is time they take care of themselves or they will bring us down to their level.

I had a similar idea years ago, the truth is the logistics would kill it. I was thinking " coats FUR kids". Possibly get some slightly used jackets and sew some trim or pocket flaps etc on. Spread out how many are tanned, but put the fur spin on it. You'd be surprised at the kids in your own community that are less fortunate, that would love a warm furry jacket.

I like the idea. I would contribute significantly.

I'll pay the for tanning if.

Someone else sets up a nonprofit organization or contracts with one to distribute the fur goods in exchange for the deduction. My opinion is the fur goods should be distributed domestically.

Someone else develops, oversees, and covers costs of manufacturing.

Someone else distributes, documents, and develops the media campaign.

O I'm rambling- anyone else?

I have a very limited amount of experience- but I did just turned my $6 fox into this
You may cry if you knew how much $ I put into 1 vest, and if so you would certainly give a cheer if you knew what it sold for. Not saying to dress up less fortunate folks if 5th ave fashion- but if I can develop it this far on my own- we ought to be able to make something happen with a little synergy.

Yeah, give everything away to help our trade so when people notice it and idiots start trapping for profit, we'll have nothing to trap and nowhere to go. I like it. Worked well with the gold rush and elver eels

Well at least y'all are thinking. I just got tired of having sticks poked in my eye from all directions - anti's, the fur trade, government, fellow "sportsmen," etc.

negatives (in no particular order):

cost of tanning
corruption
cart before horse
we do all the work then idiots profit and exterminate all the fur
third world countries had enough US handouts
giving fur to poor folks would harm the image of fur as a luxury


positives

good karma
good use for neglected fur resource
tax write off

I think the publicity alone would be an extreme positive. It would have to be crafted and executed diligently tho. Add a good marketing ploy to the list of positives. That is why my opinion is it is done domestically.

Ive got a box of fox + ready to go...

An incredibly generous offer Beaglador. Hope that once we beat this around for a couple of days it can be made into reality.

Just had a thought (the cart before the horse.) Dependents of active military who live in northern climes would certainly be worthy. Limited it to low ranking (up to E4) non commissioned children and wives. The logistical support can be found in the PR departments of the state trappers associations who routinely give out fur garments to beauty contest winners. These folks have the experience to both get the goods where they need to go along with getting publicity for the good work.

The third world countries I'm aware of have warm weather. N Korea doesn't. I doubt any garments sent there would end up as gifts. Even the old Soviet Union satellite countries are not third world. Though since they already want our fur maybe a few thousand hats or something to orphanages in Russia and the satellites would keep demand up. They won't be broke forever.

Any ideas on getting them made and distributed? Probably some churchs that already have a distribution system?

Phil, I like your idea. The tanneries might like their name on the project too. It would be good advertisment for them to run a free batch of donated fur.

Be a good way for a few coons, beaver or fox to be used. Give a guy a reason to catch a few. A few hundred guys getting 4-5 hats made would not break any banks and would benefit some needy kids as well as keep our product on folks minds. Some free press might help sales in Europe and N. America where the women with disposable income live.

Say we had a thousand hats- could anyone here look into getting them on the heads of people that A. need them B. want them C. follow up with said people, get feedback, compile feedback, pictures, etc. and deliver to publicity folks??? Is 1000 to big to start? 300?

I like the thought- supporting military families= genius. There are multiple birds to be killed with one stone here. The manufacturing does pose the biggest hurdle in my opinion. Additionally the marketing campaign can be accelerated significantly- not that there is anything wrong with local papers and so on- but a crafted ecampaign would promote significant good will. It just takes a savy teenager with some artistic ability and basic knowledge of social media and you have people, on this continent, wearing fur, that was provided by trappers, bounced all across the internet all across the world.

Would anyone else contribute?

Who is going to organize this whole affair? Nothing personal, but this is going to amount to about as much as a popcorn fart.

First off, Trappers aren't going to give much if any fur away. Not even the junk fur. On a Nation wide donation, you'll be lucky to get enough decent fur, and matching fur, to make a handful of any kind of garment. Unless you guys are just talking this up for amusement or entertainment till trapping season comes back in, then it is a waste of time.

If you really have a few hides to give away, and you actually want something good to come from them, then donate them to your State Trapping Association, and forget the fantasies.

Just my opinion.

I already answered your question earlier. The Public Relations Directors in every State Trappers Association already have experience organizing the give away of fur garments to beauty contest winners. This would be a way to leverage that experience into a new way of positive publicity for trappers.
You have a negative opinion of the generosity of trappers. Already several have offered to donate fur. TANNED fur !!!
And you wrote that I thought about this to amuse myself, well you are correct. If anything ever comes of it I will be amused and happy if a military family with little income gets something useful. I really do thank you for your opinion, it makes people think.

This is exactly the sort of opinion, coming from an officer of a national association, that causes people to turn away from organized trapping. That, an idea just can't be done, it's too big, people are too cheap, etc. etc.,.

But there are still people in all the associations, from furtakers, to NTA, to FBU, to USSA, to other even non-trapping sportsman's groups that would contribute to something such as this.

Just because something hasn't been done before, doesn't mean it can't be.

Then show me. Talk is cheap. I'd like to see it done.

I suggested a REAL way to get some good from your free fur. Make it work, and I'll donate fur to the cause.

I've none on hand but fall is only a few months away

There was that earthquake in the Nepal last year right? It's extremely cold there and I'm willing to bet they would still love some fur clothing to keep them warm.

Im sorry that was a terrible idea, the majority of Nepal is Hindu so i think they wouldnt like fur very much :P my bad

You have a good suggestion which is already being done. My idea is different and may never happen as you suggest. But ideas should at least be given the opportunity to be heard, thought of and discussed, before that idea is rendered garbage.

Here is an idea - how about legalizing snares in PA? Oh wait ..... they are legal. But before they were legal a few people had an idea to convince the PGC to make snares legal. Oh that's just stupid don't waste your time ... will never happen.

Well Toby, maybe it will. Maybe it won't. Who knows, since this post is in what most professionals would refer to as a "brainstorming" stage. Since you've little or no professional experience, I understand that it's likely not anything you've ever heard of before. But the basis is that people toss out ideas, and then people discuss those ideas. Some may turn out to be worthless, while others may turn out to be priceless. On rare occasions, people may even toss out one idea, that proves to be worthless to the topic at hand, but invaluable to either another project in the works, or one that may come at a later date.

Nothing bad ever came from brainstorming an idea. In fact, I believe NTA still contributes to a similar idea, no? I mean it's been a couple years, but last I knew NTA still spent a steady few K every year sponsoring fur coats for congressman's wives. It was, I believe, called Fur Wraps the Hill? Maybe you're too green to have heard of it? If so, contact Dave and Karen Linkhart, I'm sure they can fill you in. In fact, they may even be interested in expanding the general idea behind that program that NTA has wholeheartedly supported since the early-mid-2000s to include publicity from donating to the needy opposed to those who already bring in triple digit salaries?

Out of curiosity, since you oppose fur garments to veterans and cancer patients, do you equally oppose them to congress people? If so, have you voiced that concern in a board meeting?

So whether or not this comes to be an active program, I feel the thoughts offered within here are invaluable.... even if their ONLY purpose is to spark a thought in another arena.

Why any representative of the NTA would choose to shoot down proactive thinking, simply boggles my mind.

Nobody has yet to come up with any ideas for how to raise money for the tanning and garment manufacture. Even if you could get a skin tanned and a hat manufactured for $50, we're still talking about $50,000 just to produce 1000 hats.

Read again. Someone offered the tanning fees free. Someone offered manufacturing fees for about your quote. You don't start with 1000, you start with a couple hundred, and let the publicity carry that. A couple-3 hundred, strategically placed can carry publicity. At that point donors should become easier to find, since something has been actually DONE which would be a new concept.

Been batting this around a bit, Buck, for $5000 I think we can have a lot better start then dumping that money into a local assn that cannot even produce the legal bylaws and passes legislation behind the memberships backs, as suggested on this thread, lol.

I think somewhere between 200-300 hats, and the publicity generated would be a start. Think HATS not full length designer garment coats!

Veterans... good idea. But who else needs WARM hats? People who have lost all their hair!

XX mountain man hats for homeless vets, and XX women's hats for cancer strugglers.

Edit: NOT to say all state associations are the same... some have amazing ones. Big ones like PA, NY, OH, MN... even IL, MI, Wi, etc. I'm sure most if not all would donate to something like this. I've known and am a member of several great state associations.. but not ALL state associations are wonderful.

I skimmed over this thread twice again, and still don't see where someone offered to tan 2 or 3 hundred skins for free.

But assuming you could get that done, all you need is $10,000 to produce 200 hats.

The original post seemed (to me, anyway) to suggest a place to send fur in order for trapping to continue with the current state of the fur market. 200 hats doesn't exactly provide that outlet.

Check your PMs

And your analysis of the OP does not coincide with mine, and my theory seems to be proven by the OPS subsequent posts. He's not looking for a place to dump pelts, but rather one to make his pelts be more than maggot food.

All involved in the industry can contribute to this, because all in the industry can benifit
Trappers

tanneries

Manufactures

Distributors

Each would gain from the publicity, so each would have a reason to contribute

Of course some in the pipeline would have more $ in to each garment, but each would likely be able to take advantage of tax deductions if the end product is 100% donated

But it may be quicker and easier (market could rebound in the time it takes to get the entire system in place). The quickest way would likely be form trappers and trapping associations to catch, pay to tan and pay to manufacture

For instance if each trapper had two hats made and then provided them to the final organization to distribute

Actually as trappers we could do this ourselves if enough of us just did it on an individual basis

For instance 20 trappers in SW Michigan have 2 hats made each (kids size only) distribute them with media attention into one diatvantaged community. I would say not intercity but a rural community or native community

If this was done at the same time through out North America we could do it by winter 2018 maybe


Just some food for thought

But ideas should at least be given the opportunity to be heard, thought of and discussed, before that idea is rendered garbage.

That's NOT the NTA way, why I FINALLY left after a decade of head to brick wall syndrome.


Some states already have a tanned fur donation system set up, donating tanned fur's to schools, etc.

Unlike Relic I don't have the answer to how you would put all this in motion but unlike him I don't
feel im smarter than everyone else so if I can't figure it out it can't be done.

Good luck.

Beaglador said he would put up some fur and I will donate 2 hats (adult size) along with some tanned fur. So that's a start.

But it is still the cart before the horse. If the NTA can't or won't help, then as Patrice said, there are some state associations that have a record of doing good things. Any state association with a PR Director is worth asking of.

Talk about brainstorming .....I love the idea of hats for homeless vets and bald cancer survivors. Now that is exciting on so many levels.

If such a program ever gets off the ground, it should not go away when the market turns around.

I'm struggling to keep up with this thread but I'm still here and this still sounds like a real idea. So I will ramble on in good faith and hope that this storm will continue.

So I have some tanned fur ready to go to the manufacturer. Which I put a call in last night to see where I may be able to obtain the best pricing on the manufacture of 100 hats (is that too many/ not enough?). Am I willing to provide the skins for 100 hats- probably not- but I will put forth 20 red fox, and 8-10 coons tanned, and I could do that today. So soup to nuts I can put forth 25-30 hats, professionally manufactured for the purpose of promoting fur trapping, fur garments, helping those that can use it, and gaining a tax deduction. Is that clear?

From those of you that are still positive on this idea- can you contact some of the state PR people, or those that have medical contacts in cold regions there have to be support groups for cancer patients, and then there is the military families- someone here should know a route to them? Just to see what avenue is most realistic. Additionally whichever entity handles the distribution has to be able to provide receipts for tax deductions.

Thanks to yotetrapper (I believe that is Angela) for keeping this realistic!

So to summarize I am basically willing to do this largely on my own(not quite on a large scale but it's a start that may provide momentum). I simply lack the contacts at the distribution and PR levels.

This One time at a Pa rondy,
some folks put on a demo to make your own fur hat.

If,
trappers could get together, with a good teacher or three,
make hats/mittens from their own fur.
Then distribute to someone they know or know of.
This may eliminate a bunch of apprehension, logistics, cost, and or
generate enthusiasm.

As far as orgs, perhaps the with or with out you approach may be better than arguing.

That's just a little rain drop of my pea brain storm. Good luck.

My comment about orgs was not a jab,
rather a reflection of my experience that members have way more "ideas" than unpaid Officers have the time to pursue.

Over and out.

Did you read my quote? How can you derive that I am opposed to fur garments for veterans and cancer patients?? This thread started out wanting to give garments to third world Kids. When did Cancer patients get injected into the conversation. I even offered to donate fur for this thing that I am supposed to be "Opposed" to.

Your twisting of words and meanings, and even injecting your mental garbage into conversations is why you were not effective as a Director. Insults like questioning my "Professional" experience, is humorous coming from a burger flipper. It's also humorous seeing you post three times a week, what conduct a "Representative" of a State or National Organization should have, when you couldn't seem to figure it out for yourself, in your brief career.

As far as Organizing such a venture, on a scale of 1000+ garments, groups like the NTA or FTA, would be needed to keep it all together, and make it happen. Of course the great minds in this conversation say they "Can't be Trusted!" Your "Brainstorming" can't handle a little reality, and now you want to throw cheap insults, instead of offering solutions.

Lastly, if this fledgling venture can't handle a little reality check from someone in a simple conversation, then my point is already a reality. I haven't seen anyone that has the metal, or the where with all, to put it all together. A project of this size will need a competent board to make the decisions, seek the financing, logistics, and cooperation of all the wheels involved. Then on top of that you need enough trappers to donate enough useable fur to make it happen.

I wish you the best of luck in this venture. I renew my offer to donate fur to make it happen, when you get all of the organization in place.

I would bet that Moyles would jump on board on this. The convention s are coming soon and this might be discussed there to get more people on board.
There are a lot of cheap coon coming up at NAFA and FHA you also might get them to waive there commission if we had a buyer and get them on board with this.
There are a lot of poor children here that could benefit from this and they would never forget and as they get older there out look on fur will be a good one.
I like this idea.

Old Rel & Yote30 your points are both valuable in this discussion- can we carry on?

So on the much smaller/ more realistically scaled model of this project- does anyone know the end users? Who would like their associations name on this?

A small scale beta test? Odds are that someone here has had a brush with cancer and can offer some "reality."

American Cancer Society helps a LOT of patients, and are easy to deal with.
I saw one hairless woman with a pill box, red fox hat. Sharp, and women can not stand bad hair days. (or months)

You betcha. Done replying to attempts to derail this issue. Will try and find out some info you're looking for over the weekend.

On another note, I think this project needs a name. Even for a small scale. If Phil donates 2 hats to cancer patients he finds through a friend of his wife, or beaglador donates 10 hates to homeless vets, or we all get together to donate 100 hats to a project. It should be done in the name of "______". Even when working through another association. Beaglador is from PA, who has a pretty great association, so let's say he teams up with them to distribute his furs. Then instead of just the PA trappers association being named, I think it should be that "____________" in conjunction with the PA trappers donated XX hats to XX group.

But I'm not good at coming up with catchy names. Any ideas?

Why does it have to be a big group? Or an official club or assoc? And to me, its ironic that this talk of donating and wanting to do something charitable has the trailer of "who's gonna pay for this stuff?" I think a few random individuals scattered about the country donating or handing out fur hats etc to those in need would do as much good as a national group or whatever you call it. And so what if you had to pay the tanning fees on a few hides to get them prepared? Its charity for crying out loud.

I have a couple pink traps that I break out occasionally, and whatever I catch in them gets sold, and the money from that goes to breast cancer. No frills or fancy membership to a collection. Just a regular, and very much appreciated donation.

Just a few comments from no one in particular...

Carolina, I like your pink trap idea for breast cancer, such idea's as that are what our national organization's should be
coming up with, looking into, promoting for PR if nothing else along with a zillion other idea's but sadly the idea maker's
got tired of that brick wall and went home.

This thread is about promoting fur but your idea is a great way to promote trapping, my hats off to you for that idea.

If you're looking at this thread as promoting fur, versus promoting trapping, I think you're wrong. This thread is primarily about promoting trapping, not fur. As was mentioned here before, handing out fur to homeless could possibly de-promote fur. But that's not what this was ever about. It was about promoting TRAPPING through handing out fur. To give the catchers of the fur a good name. TRAPPERS donated their hard work to those in need. This is ALL about promoting trapping.

I'm in as far as donating some fur I will be getting some back late summer

And I can paint some traps pink

I'm sorry my plate is too full to help in the organizing of this but will keep my ears/eyes on the progress
And will plan on sending some tanned fur

I really hope this goes somewhere

Great Idea.

But the first step Is to see if any or all of the tanneries would step up and tan your fur for free. With out free tanning your going to fail.

Maybe NAFA or FHA would donate fur to the cause? There already giving It away.

bump

I personally feel that giving away fur pieces is counter productive for fur producers. On this forum and others we read countless threads and posts about those getting a free deal or something for nothing and we are advocating that with our fur? If we are going to give fur away why not to 4 H groups, scout troops and or wildlife and biology class students as either tanned fur kits or raw and let them tan the furs as part of a project. It is the younger generation that may become fur buyers in the future those in the USA that are earning monies have already made their decisions on what is valuable to them and fur has not been part of the spending they have chosen.

Bryce

That is a good idea. But why can't your idea work along with giving a warm fur hat to a cancer survivor with a bald head? And, I do not believe it is counter productive for producers to give things away. Free samples are a time tested method for producers to make consumers aware of new products and ideas. I make a distinction between people who are truly in need and people who abuse the good intentions of others.

Our incidental fur program here in WI provides funds for Trapper Education and also fur kits etc. (up to 20 plus) that we can use in demos, booths, seminars and youth groups. Following your thoughts working with children's hospitals or even elder care centers would be a good way to funnel the pelts and not have to spend as much time searching out where they should go. I think finding groups that would be willing to tan them would be a great thing as that creates more ownership by our youth or who does that.

Bryce

I'm sure it's been mentioned but military families stationed in cold weather regions in us and internationally

We can never do enough for them as far as I am concerned

those in the USA that are earning monies have already made their decisions on what is valuable to them and fur has not been part of the spending they have chosen.

Mainly due to it not being available to them, line up the isle's in the dept. stores this fall with garments made with REAL fur trim not the fake stuff and see what happens. That 'style' has been in for several years now but sadly the general public has no idea what real fur looks like or feels like because it's never offered to them on a wide scale basis. Due mainly to large corporation's making the decision not to offend anyone and have protestor's outside their stores during the holiday season. The anti fur movement won that battle and fur producer's have suffered ever since.

Since no one is going to promote fur this idea would also help in that regard. Without a demand for fur trapping is dead!

So you don't think capitalism works? If there was a great market for those real furs I would believe the stores would have lots of them. Maybe we should do with fur like they do with autos and other larger purchases, offer 0% interest and payment plans. Kind of interesting that both our real fur and fake fur would be coming from the same places as garments.

Bryce

Has nothing to do with capitalism, has to do with DO YOU WANT the headache that will come from selling certain products. Why go through all that misery and bad publicity when you can just offer fake junk and customer's won't know the difference?

Have your wife a fur coat made and watch the reaction of her friends when they see and feel real fur for the first time!

Jackie hit the nail on the head. Fur is pretty much dead in this country because most retailers don't want 100 crazed and violent protesters outside their doors running off their customers.

Native American reservations in cold climates might need some hats and mitts.

We need a PR specialist to volunteer to maximize the mileage from an effort like this.

If there was a real profitable market for fur garment sales in the USA retailers and underground markets would find a way to provide what the market wants. That is capitalism, as you state most retailers feel they will lose more business than they would gain. The fur stores in our area have not had protester issues that I am aware of.

Bryce

Another good idea. The PR specialists are to be found in the state trappers associations.

The PR specialists are to be found in the state trappers associations

With a 10 percent at best participation rate in the trapping association's I don't think they are
a good bet for PR work! If you can't even sell a membership to your association how well are you
going to sell fur products to a skeptical public?

I know this is a little off topic from the original intent of the post, but I will ask it here anyways. I hear all the time how NAFA is promoting wild fur. Has NAFA ever approached a "STAR" and tried to hire them to endorse fur and fur products. I would think if there was enough money involved somebody would be interested. Nike does it all the time with their shoes as do other companys. I can't stand Justin Bieber but teenage girls go nuts over him. If he was wearing a raccoon vest, etc. I could see a big market possibility because all the little girls would want something similar. Does anyone know if NAFA has ever approached anyone about endorsing fur products?

NAFA don't make enough off of wild fur to invest that kind of money.

Hater a group called FICA use to do just that, I know they loaned fur coats/garments to J. Lo and Joan Rivers, one such garment appeared on the cover of a teeny bopper magazine J. Lo was featured on. Haven't kept up with FICA through the years so not sure if they are still around and doing such or not. They were heavily funded by the fur garment groups and organizations.

Another good idea. The PR specialists are to be found in the state trappers associations. [/quote

I hate to be that guy ...but , PR goldmine !!

Some state associations do a much better job than others on PR. If I was looking for one, I'd have PA at the top of my list.

[/quote I hate to be that guy ...but , PR goldmine !! [/quote]

You got that right. It's a volunteer position, if done right is a lot of work. Maybe if just ONE person in need (cancer survivor, Veteran, Native American, etc.) per state were vetted, that would be less than 50 hats, gloves or whatever as a start. The PR Director could do an article and get a picture for Facebook, newspaper or some other media.

Pa. Trappers Association (PTA) and some Pa. District Associations accept donated fur for many, many years.
Every year, PTA gives Miss Pennsylvania & Miss Teen Pennsylvania a Fur Coat.
Donated fur to PTA is used for funding the making or purchase of these fur coats.
Also, donated fur is used for making fur Teddy Bears, Ear Muffs and other fur garments. These items are used as State or District fund raisers or raffle prizes.
As you see this process, donated fur is recycled to cash. In turn, this cash helps fund trapper training schools, donations to other associations, on going furbearer & trapping education, promote trapping & fur garments and so on.
yotetrapper30, thanks for the kind words about the PTA.

yotetrapper30Some state associations do a much better job than others on PR. If I was looking for one, I'd have PA at the top of my list.
winner winner chicken dinner.
You Know of course that Phil Nichols was origionaly from PA and is the past PR chairman for the PTA?

pick65

Nope, I had no idea who Phil Nichols is.

Has anyone called Moyles and run this by them?

I have to question if 2 (poor) kids are the only ones wearing fur hats to school is a possibility. Peer pressure. They may not wear them no matter how cold it is. Anyone that lives or works near a school knows first hand that kids are under dressed going to and from school. Half of them don't wear the proper clothes even when they may be available to them. Even when walking to school,
in western NY, in the winter.

I am not trying to burst a bubble. But, I don't think a tannery would like to tan, lets say a couple thousand pelts for free and pay shipping on them back. They already have a 7 month turnaround on tanning. Feel good tax right offs are nice if you would be paying that amount in taxes anyhow, or are mega wealthy.

I do like the fact that trappers are trying to work on the fur price slump.

Someone probably already suggested it. But, the only real fix is supply and demand. Stop producing an unwanted product. Focus on producing products in demand. Coyote, Red Fox, and Bobcat.

Trap the other species as nuisance species and expect payment for trapping them. People will start to get the idea of payment if no one is willing to trap and consistently loose money doing it. All the "Big Boys" that most trappers admire and aspire to be like are not making there living off fur. They get paid for services they provide and have many side lines. People will and do pay for animal removal. And when it gets to the point that a wife demands it done, it will happen. Trappers need to learn how to market themselves more and the fur less.

Let the fur market dry up and it will come back around in a couple years. Instead of 7-10 years. And I know no one wants to hear this.

Alot of valid info above- even the Debbie Downers have their value!

Someone want to refer me to whom I should speak with at the PTA? I'll get the rest started and get back when I have some experience...

Here is what you need
Barry Warner

prdirector@patrappers.com

pick65

So what happened with this?

I would rather see our own USA or Canada people recieve fur items to stay warm. We have plenty of poor people here.
I would think fur lined coats would really help the homeless Vets and Poor homeless people here at home.
I`m not much for giving other countrys that hate us and want us dead anything.

Exactly.

Go back and read my post about donating fur to your State Trappers Association to actually get some good from "Giving Away Fur".

You are correct, but I just think that way is not the ONLY way. There is nothing wrong with floating a few ideas out there to see what shakes out.

Beagle, that tanned dog in the pic may be pushing things! Great ideas, but be patient folks, this kinda stuff takes time to shake out!

HAd to dig this one out of the cellar for an update. To recap- I'd like to put together a nonprofit- or partner with an existing organization to put fur on people. That said in my mind hats on people affected by anything that causes hairloss (cancer) would be an ideal outcome on more levels than I can explain. I have been working with several different manufactures and I think I've got that end of the supply chain figured out. Anyone want to help with the distribution? So far I have only had 14 or so hats made- I put 2 in a recent charity auction and they brought a good price! I have a dozen or so that I will probably give a few away as gifts but would be glad to donate the rest- if I could find the right aceptees so to speak. I plan to have many more of these made (but I have to go catch some more fur first).

Are you making them kids size too?

That would be no problem

Nice

Awesome. I know the kids at the Ronald McDonald houses here and in ny would love some. I'll see what and how much I catch and will be happy to donate some fur

ttt
Beaglador, do you want to weigh in on this?

pick65

Little by Little Pick! It appears (thanks to Pick65) we have found some end users- so we are on the way to getting this off the ground. That said it's still a work very much in progress. As much as I'd like to open the flood gates and ask for some help, this project is still in the "pet project" phase. When it's gone start to finish a few times I will have more to say!

A skinny, malnourished kid wearing a fur coat.....?.......?........??????

lol

LMAO!!!!!

I'm sure you could get some decent donated fur for your hats, especially with prices being down. Let us know and when that happens ask that it remain at the top of the forum

I had a similar idea of giving away fur several years ago. The problem is the sheer amount of cooperation between trappers, tanneries, furriers, retailers. Plus the amount of time it take to go from trap to back is too long.

I have another idea however. What if we could setup a "donate a fur" program through one of the auction houses? Logistically details would have to be worked out, but hear me out. A centralized account could be setup with say NAFA. When trappers send their fur they could tag 1,2,3... how many ever furs they want to be donated. These furs are then designated to the donate account just like a personal account. The fur then goes through auction just like all others. The proceeds could then be donated to a designated charity.
If every trapper donated a muskrat or coon or even something more valuable, think about the proceeds from a single auction. Again, a lot of details would need worked up but you get the picture.

That's a good idea 124- and you do certainly voice the hurdles of cooperation between parties of with similar interests.

o Hobbie... As much as I would like to accept your challenge to debate our differing opinions on "who should wear fur" this is simply not the venue to do so.

Well, it has happened, we have 30 fur hats available to be given to cancer
patients in the central area of PA. Just waiting for a time and date!!
Beaglador, should be posting some pictures in the next couple of hours!

pick65

That's so awesome. That just made my day.

Very cool Pick 65!

adam m, so happy to make your day, with every thing that you are going through, it makes my day also.

pick65

St. Jude, Shriners, Cardinal Glennon children's Hospital, any Children's hospital, VA hospitals, nursing homes, these would all be good places to start, and right here in North America. I can't think of a place in more need of a positive message about fur than North America.

Angela, I hope you get this off the ground, because this was exactly what I had suggested doing a long time ago, and of course it got shot down like so many things. The associations are not the way to move this forward, just to many branding iron in the fire, and we all know what happens then. Good luck.

Yep- thanks to Pick65 for tracking me down and telling me if I seriously wanted to do this he would help! So maybe we didn't start with a thousand or 300 but we are starting for sure. As this continues to unfold we will keep everyone here up to date- and fully expect your input. To the nay sayers- keep it coming as the negativity often has a motivational effect.

My models weren't exactly happy about trying on fur hats (it was 80 degrees out) so I snapped a couple crummy photos of a few of the hats. They are well put together and I will get a few more pics over the weekend to show that what we are giving away are NOT some leftover scraps(they are some of my best furs). They are commercially tanned/ and manufactured in the US by some of the best and last craftsmen remaining in the domestic fur industry.


I'm excited that these will be given to kids through the healthcare system- no strings attached kid here's your new hat! Can you imagine the look on his/her face? We wont have pictures because of "HIPAA" regulations but this is still a start! Stay tuned!

Pick glad I can help make your day too.
What about Ronald McDonald House's? There's several from PA and up the east coast. Also Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (where my daughter goes) in NYC has a big pediatric cancer area and bigger adult cancer area. I would say we would drop them off for you but she only goes once a yr now during the summer.

Hopefully I'm able to knock out a bunch of fur this year and I'll donate it.

Beaglador, great job those look incredible

I just tossed some ideas around on this thread Mike, I'm not involved in it. I am really glad beaglador got it done though!

It's not done yet and Angela and others helped- even if only with a few ideas! Hopefully this is just the very beginning!

Adam- if you have a moment and are able to contact someone @ MSKCC that would accept the donation- let me know! There is no imminent hurry to get this done so when and if you are able to talk with someone let them know you could provide some nice hats!

Still need a crafty teenager type that is diligent with social media and understands the basics of fur trapping... It is not support from trappers alone that will make this succeed- it's support from non-trappers and trappers alike that will get us all somewhere.

When you get to the point (if your not there already) that you could use some more tannned furs, let me know, I send most of mine in to the tannery and would be willing to send tanned furs for your program


MT

Will do.

I am working on info regarding MSKCC. They are more strict on their donations but it might be possible. However, I know someone that donates regularly to above mentioned places as well as many other places across the US and around the world. She is willing to help and is excited that the trapping community would do something like this. Her, her daughter are/were friends we made while getting treatment in NYC at MSKCC. The daughter passed away a couple years back. My friend is also currently working on a care package for a little boy in Nome.

Forgot to mention her daughter was also a patient at Cardinal Glennon as well.

I felt like I have given away fur at the groeny truck a few times.

Does that count?

Thanks Michigan T- I'll hold you too it!

Adam- i have a hat for that package going to Nome- get me a little more info

Leboowlski- that doesn't count. The commission from your last 6fig deal might maybe kinda🖕🏾

That is incredible!!!! I just let my friend know. I'll keep you posted on her reaction. If you can, get it insured. I don't know how much rain they got there. I don't think much but I'm not certain.

Thanks for all of the support for this project.

If you think we are holding this a little too close to the vest on who
is receiving these hats, we are. Only to the extent that we
would like this to come off with out a hitch.

All will be revealed in the near future as to who, what. and where.

If you are interested in donating fur coordinate that with Beaglador
thru PM. If you do not have fur, but would like to donate to this
project, dollars are always welcome, PM me for additional info.

Any dollars donated to this project will be considered as a tax
right off and we will send a receipt for you to use.

Many thanks to all those who are helping make this happen!

pick65

Pick and beaglador and everyone else involved.... thank you for doing this.
This is perfect timing as September is Childhood Cancer month.
Money is tight right now but when I get extra funds I'll be donating for sure. I can help in other ways too.

WOW, did not realize that September is Childhood Cancer month.
Good info right there!!
pick65

I just made my donation to the St. Judes children's hospital.

Yup, it is perfect timing for sure.

don wolf we also donate to St Judes. Chili's all month has ways to donate too. They have the "color a chile" thing, sell shirts and one day during the month they will donate all profits for that day nationwide to St Judes.


Update on my friends reaction on the hat for the boy (8 yrs old) in Nome, AK and the whole project as well..... she is beyond excited in more ways we can imagine. Once again thanks to all who have contributed in any way.

Attention Everyone,

Got some very exciting news.....

The first hat has arrived in Texas and will be shipped as part of a care package my friend sends out to kids with cancer, which was her daughter's idea. Her daughter first started making and wearing headbands with daisy's on them along with feathers and or gems on them as she had lost her hair due to chemo. It quickly spread that they started making those headbands which are now called Brooke's Blossoms. Brooke passed away a couple years back but the blossoms continue to spread across North America. Both hospitals and cancer patients request these packages which is usually a headband, toys or the like.

The first hat is going to a 8 yo boy in Nome, AK.

Below is what my friend said:
"It arrived!!! Wow!! Is it okay if I make a social media post about this? It's amazing! The kids are going to LOVE them!"
She also gonna see if she could get a picture of the boy wearing the hat from the boys parents. I will keep everyone posted once I get more info.

Good job everyone

Hey Adam thanks for the news. I spoke with a manufacture about getting some headbands made- should be very doable. How awesome would it be to have some of those headbands sporting little fur flowers?

You're welcome. I'm glad I'm able to help and be a very very small part in this. Hopefully I will catch some fur this yr and will send you guys some.

That would be incredible beaglador.

Getting a few ready to go!

Incredible.

Well, they say it could not be done!!
B.S., (we) Keystone Institute For Furbearer Education, Beaglador, myself and Pete
Ellerman donated 30 fur hats to the Children's Hospital at Hershey Medical/Penn
State today.
Kermit Henning of 27 news videotaped the giving and it will air on 27 news
on Sept 24th.
Watch for pictures and a video clip in the near future.

pick65

Incredible. Can't wait to see it.
Oh BTW the boy in Ak has received his hat. The boys mom will get a pic soon he left for chemo the day he got the hat.

Hey guys we just got a video message from the 8 yo boy in Alaska. Even if you don't have Facebook the link should still work.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1482458201835416&id=321739287907319&fs=5

Here is a pic of my friend (who helped get the boy his hat) and her daughter (Brooke) who has since passed from the same cancer (neuroblastoma) as the boy.


This is the picture of the boy Jens

Here is what my friend had to say...

Benjamin, age 4, lost his older sister, Brooke to stage IV Neuroblastoma cancer when she was just 8 years old. He thinks these amazingly soft fur hats are fun and that patients without hair will love them. He blew kisses into this one before it was sent to another boy named Jens from Nome, Alaska.

Benjamin (her son) says it makes him proud to help other kids, like Jens (Ak boy), with "lumpies" like his sister battled. Jens is 8 years old and is also fighting stage IV Neuroblastoma cancer like Benjamin's brave sister Brooke did. He is the first recipient of these new, luxuriously soft hats and has made a video* to share expressing his gratitude! (*on separate post)

A huge thanks to Jake from FURREAL in Pocopson, Pennsylvania for this wonderful donation to help bring smiles and love to children battling cancer.

Thank you all that have made this possible.

Here are few pictures from the other day at Penn State Children's Hospital, Keystone Institute for Furbearer Education making the delivery of hats(and taping for television) -







The big guy is Kermit Henning (abc27 WHTM, PA Outdoor Writers Association) and if some pictures of me with a strange facial expression ever arise it is because he kept telling me to look at him- let's just say he aint much fun to look at!

Awesome thanks for posting the pictures.

You guys are pretty darn awesome.....

This is awesome. Maybe I will do something. Not sure what, don't exactly have the fur or money, but would love to help!

Like to thank the "old relic" for having a half empty glass- sometimes it's the little things that light the 🔥

I'm looking forward to seeing your furs!

Well done guys.

TTT because this really should be a stand alone post stickied to the top. AMAZING job to those involved and wish I had stayed more involved!!!

No time like the present! Is there a drop off raw fur addy or is it tanned only?

God bless all involved, i spent over a month last summer in a childrens hospital and soooooo much sadness there that ANYTHING that will bring a smile to a child's face even for a little while is a worthwhile cause.

Beaglador and I are looking at giving the like number of hats again
prior to the holiday season.
So the time is right for those of you who would like to donate, be
it fur or money to do it now.
PM Beaglador (about fur) or me (about money) for additional information, we could use your help.

pick65

well, the hits are coming in!!

I just read in the news that you are donating fur hats to the children's hospital making it sound like it is a great thing. I would never allow my child to wear an animal. You make me sick! Killing animals to make hats when you could have done something better for a child....you can be assured that I will be fighting this. I wouldn't want an animal to die for a hat. You justify the cruelty if fur farms and trapping for selfish reasons. Do the right thing and quit the abuse!!!!!

Live today as you will wish you have lived when you stand before the Lord!


pick65

I am tired and don't really want to ponder the topic anymore. But I'll sleep like a rock knowing I did what I could!

What did you do?

I clammed up bad when they started rolling camera- Johnny 2times. Gimme another shot I'll nail it!

What did you...

https://www.google.com/amp/abc27.com/201...n-hospital/amp/

nice job guys!!!

I live about one mile from Hershey med and I just saw this in the paper. I think its awesome. Were they pleased with your donation?

Great job

@82dead- everyone was pretty impressed with the donation. What paper was it in?

The hats look great! You guys did an awesome job.

Here's a link http://abc27.com/2017/09/24/outdoors-report-fur-hat-donations-to-penn-state-children-hospital/

A few more pictures Pete took last week...

This is so cool!!!
Me question: did you come up with a name for this?
And is anyone doing the marketing/social media aspect of this?

The only thing that I can say is that this has been posted on social media thru facebook at PTA FACEBOOK and Alan Probst facebook.

pick65

@huntinggirl- it's all you... does that answer your question?

My brain has been turning since I discovered this thread.
Ill ask my marketing professor on Monday.

If this is going to continue it needs a name.
Also, you should think about sending a panflet with every hat to explain the importance of fur, and why they got a dead animal on their head for lack of better words.
-Lydia

With lots of words like sustainable, biodegradable, ecological, renewable, etc.

Sounds like tree hugger words.

Says the guy campaigning for tractability in wild fur, LOL

Definately!
It would partically depend on the target market we are aiming towards. If we are trying to ease the minds of moms of course use those words.
If we want kids to read them they obvioulsy have to have easier words and pictures.
It all depends on who the target audience in the advartising is

I mean the tree huggers will like those words.Good choice.

I don't know if this has been mentioned, or if there would be any interest, but there is crushing poverty in Alaskan villages-as well as one of the reservations near where my Dad grew up. Those are kids who I'm betting would absolutely treasure just about anything warm to wear. Fur is a traditional part of most native cultures anyway...so why not? No huge shipping fees, middlemen, etc.

Just a thought from out here on the perimeter....

Hopefully this will put a smile on your face.

I received an update on the boy (Jens) in Nome who got a fox hat. He is absolutely loving his hat. I have permission to post a photo of him wearing his hat.

Enjoy your day.

Heck give your landowners a pelt every now and then, I just skinned out a couple yotes for a landowner (his yotes) and he was thrilled to get them. Told him to take them to a taxidermy guy for the tanning so I don't get caught up in the middle of it.

yup that is a good idea too

Sad deal.... I just saw an update on Jens the boy from Nome who received the 1st fur hat (see pic above/page 8) is in bad shape.
The below is taken from his gofundme account. No I am not seeking funds for him and his family, I am just giving everyone an update and if you can pray for him and his family.


"after 4 years of battling cancer for Jens...the team told us today that Jens liver is so badly infected with cancer that too do anything more would cause more toxicity and kill him. His liver levels are severely high to do anything more would be unsafe..with that we were told that there would be nothing more they can do to help him as chemo could potentially kill him because of the high liver numbers. We are all still in shock....we cant even process all of this at the moment. I am having my two oldest boys fly down tonight to spend the duration of time with him. We do not know....we were told 1 month potentially 2...but I do not foresee that. Jens birthday is September 1st and he would be turning 9....I do not know what the future holds, all I know is I am here ...we are going to be here for the duration and love him more than ever. Do anything he wants when he wants for as long as we can."

Praying for them


Hug your kids and grand kids people !!!

Praying for Jen and all those by his side!!

pick65

Poor little gaffer,hope for a miracle for him.

Sent with prayer