Do you Taxidermists need bear hides.

[Gutpile]

I have a rug and have tanned my last two bears so If I do tag out on this spring tag I doubt I'll keep the hide but I hate to just waste it. Do you guys and gals have any need for it. Is there a market for them if you dont need it? Let me know.

If I get a color phase I'll hold on to it but doubt i'll hang on to a blacky.

[boneaddict]

Its stuck in the back of my mind somewhere that there are different rules for bear hides versus deer capes. just thinking out loud.  Might just have to do with the claws.  I can't remember.  Waiting to hear from the taxidermists on here.  They'd know.

might be cougar too or instead.

[Gutpile]

I was thinking that they can be sold. Guess we'll find out.

[400out]

  I don't know about seeling bear parts, I will be curious to see if selling the hide falls in the same category as other parts  you may have to donate it then you redeem your generosity later 

[boneaddict]

Just don't try to cross the Canadian border with a claw.     I had a bearclaw necklace stashed under my seat and one of the border agents found it while searching for drugs.  You'd think they'd have found a big ziplock full of crack.  I bet I had 10-15 agents circling me.

[Gutpile]

Bet that was fun.

[rasbo]

you can sell the hides claws attached or not...but cant sell claws,skull gall and so on,thats the way I understand it...

[KillBilly]

Quote from Michelle_Nelson taxidermy

"It is legal to buy and sell the hides all day long.  What you can't buy are the claws and teeth unless they are attached to the hide.  So in order to buy the claws the guy has to bring you the whole hide."

If you search the Bear Board for these topics you will find most of them have been addressed several times in the last few seasons.

[Gutpile]

Thank you. I just figured since the question "which caliber is best for yotes" has been asked and answered so many times that this question would get a pass.
 

And If you read the original question. The legality issue was not my question. Whether one of our taxidermists friends needed or wanted the hide was the question. 

[300bullelk]

Rules do change from time to time and per spieces. I believe you can can buy processed hides off of the internet and fur dealers and be fairly safe with bears as long as no internal organs are exchanged for profit or intent of profit. Teeth (canines) and claws have to be naturally attached to a complete skull or a processed hide. I believe you need a fur trader lisences to deal in raw furs. Its all pretty risky as far as I am concerned when they start throwing out Lacey Act violations and Cities permit violations. Yikes!!!! It gets real involved with bigger money big game like Grizzly, wild sheep, mtn. goats etc!!!!!! I would carefully read all regs involved from the import and export state or country. Scares the hell out of me!!! Not speakin' from experience of course

[boneaddict]

Thats another interesting question ....raw hides versus tanned ones.   I've heard that tidbit along the way too.  IT IS SCARY.    Its like giving some extra ducks to a bird taxidermist.  YIKES.  or mounting one at home and giving it to a friend.

[Gutpile]

I live all of 3 minutes from the fish and game office. If i'm lucky enough to tag out I'll just stop in, let them pull a tooth and ask them then.

[Michelle_Nelson]

WAC 232-12-071
Buying or selling game unlawful — Game-farmed meat exception.

  (1) Unless prohibited by federal regulations, nonedible parts of wild animals, game birds or game fish lawfully taken may be offered for sale, sold, purchased or traded, except it is unlawful to offer for sale, sell, purchase or trade the following unless authorized by a written permit issued by the director:

    (a) Nonedible parts of bighorn sheep or mountain goat.

     (b) Velvet antlers of deer or elk.

     (c) Gall bladder, claws, or teeth of bear, except those claws or teeth permanently attached to a full bear skin or mounted bear.

    (2) It is unlawful to knowingly buy, sell, or otherwise exchange, or offer to buy, sell, or otherwise exchange the raw fur or carcass of a wild animal trapped in Washington with a body-gripping trap, whether or not pursuant to permit.

     (3) It is lawful to purchase and sell the meat of game-farm raised deer and elk, provided the meat is imported from a licensed game farm in another state or country, the meat is boned and only meat is imported for sale, and the meat is packaged for retail sale prior to import into this state. It is unlawful to fail to maintain proof of the source of the game-farmed meat together with the meat until the meat is consumed or exported.

[Gutpile]

Soooooo. Do you want it? Is there a market?

[Michelle_Nelson]

The Lacey Act.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacey_Act_of_1900
 
http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusfd16usca3371.htm