Polar Bear Hair

[Seadog 0]

I was searching through the fly pattern data base by MATERIALS, and I noticed polar bear hair.

 

I have a neighbor that was going to give me some polar bear hair that he aquired several decades ago. This stuff is really nice and in very good shape. I have been hesitant to accept it because I thought it was illegal to posses after 1970 "something", unless you had a receipt showing that it was obtained before the polar bear was put on the protected species list.

 

Am I correct in my understanding or am I way off base?

[flykid 0]

Pretty sure your OK. I see people use it all the time. The only way I could see you getting in trouble is if you tried to send it over seas. I believe polar bear is on the CITES list which I don't know much about but it deals with importing and exporting feathers and furs. Go to classicflytying.com and search "CITES" if you want to learn more about that.

[Undertow 0]

You will be alright I think, a flyshop up north from me sells it.

Undertow

[JSzymczyk 0]

yeah, if you want to get totally confused and pissed off, and get a migraine headache, read all about CITES.... www.cites.org Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed in CITES Appendix II:

 

"Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species of which the specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons (see Article II, paragraph 2 of the Convention). International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate. No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires). Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. (See Article IV of the Convention)"

 

Your best bet, IMO, is to enjoy it, tie flies with it, and don't try to sell the flies or the hair- or talk much about it at all. From what I've heard, there is no other material quite like it- either natural or synthetic- for baitfish imitations.

 

CITES is a gigantic steaming pile of international bureaucratic manure. The international "experts" who administer it can rarely agree on most aspects of it. Each signitory country seems to interpret it differently depending on the moon phase and what someone had for dinner last night. You can still get in trouble though for having something you shouldn't, and there are a lot of gray areas regarding documentation and permits. If the material in question was in possession of your friend before the species was listed, I THINK you are good-to-go. Otherwise, just keep it to yourself and tie some kick-ass flies.

 

Everything I typed is just my opinion, and should not be trusted as any kind of official interpretation of the law!!!

[DHise 0]

I bought a bunch of Pbear from a gentleman in Washington state who is supposedly legal. I dont remember his name or outfit name though. Sorry. He has dubbing, and hair (of all lengths).

[arkfisher 0]

Polar Bear is a touchy subject. Check out Taxidermy.net for some discussions on it. Unless it was obtained before 1976? it's illegal to possess in some places. I know you'd be hard pressed to prove legality if you were stopped on the river somewhere.

[JSzymczyk 0]

I know you'd be hard pressed to prove legality if you were stopped on the river somewhere.

 

If you are stopped on the river somewhere, by someone who might know what polar bear hair actually looks and feels like, AND is in a position of authority to question it, you are fishing with flies made of bleached yak crotch fur or Super-Angel-Ultra-Fish-Fuzz, Right?

 

Not that I'm overly experienced, but I can recall exactly ZERO times when a F&W officer (whatever they might be called wherever you happen to be) asked me what my fly was made of. I suppose it could happen, depending on the ego of the LEO. I've had my license checked, even though I wasn't doing anything remotely suspicious, but that's about it.

 

Just don't try to sell any of it- It's not CITES I, so you're not going to jail just for knowing how to spell p o l a r b e a r. If you are truly worried about it, then the easy answer is to Just Say No.

[northernsolo 0]

your fine to use it, you can actually still go hunt polar bear in quite a few places.

 

chris

[JSzymczyk 0]

your fine to use it, you can actually still go hunt polar bear in quite a few places.

 

chris

 

got to be careful.... Unless the laws have recently been changed, YES you can still legally hunt Polar Bears in certain places. You can NOT however, legally bring the animal parts back to the USA with you. All the mounted polar bears and polar bear rugs and stuff you see around should be pre-CITES material, unless they are in research collections.

 

That was true as of a few years ago, which was the last time I looked into it. Might have changed since then.

[Trad 0]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.ht...be-789a4836b478

 

TL

MC

 

 

[deeky 0]

Similar issue came up in another thread recently regarding seal fur. The decision there was that some is legally sold in the US as recycled fur from old clothing, and becasue it was already here and recycled, it was a nonissue. I would guess this polarbear would be about the same.

 

Deeky

[JSzymczyk 0]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.ht...be-789a4836b478

 

TL

MC

 

great link- thanks.

 

$25-$40K to go kill one, then the associated BS involved with the paperwork, import, taxidermy, travel, and incidental expenses..... each PB hair streamer would be worth about $100!!!

 

I would say if that nice neighbor still has the hair, you better jump on it! I know I would!

[FKROW 0]

I do not belive Polar Bear is illegal to posses in the US, it is illegal to bring into the US after the CITES rulling of 1976. Many native american tribes are exempt and will sell some handmade items with pieces attached. We also have many old rugs and mounts from hunters coming on the market from time to time, selling of these are required to have documentataion they were in the US prior to the CITES dates.

 

I have some PB from the old days, it is unique and very translucent,,,,,the only material I have ever used that comes close is clean, soft calf tail. Most calf tail is over dyed and not very interesting, some natural white pieces with longer fibers is very nice.

 

Regards,

FK