Arctic Fox Pelt

[Nick Williams 0]

Anyone ever purchased or have an arctic fox pelt they use for tying? I have a chance to buy a full pelt from Alaska, but I just wanted to check to see if there was anything I should look for. I've already checked all the regulations and I should be good to go. With as popular as Arctic fox fur is these days, and as expensive as it can be, I was excited at having the chance at a full pelt.

 

Any issues to look for?
What should I expect to pay?

Anyone tried to dye their own fox before?

 

I'd love some advice!!

[tidewaterfly 0]

I have a pelt. It's like any other pelt IMO, you'll get whatever it is, good or bad. Most that are sold to tyers are not the best grade, but are fine for tying purposes. However the grading process is for making garments, not fly tying. I've got several whole pelts of various animals, other than rabbit. I have a bunch of rabbit. Unless they're literally rotten, the hair/fur on even poorer graded pelts is usually good for tying. I have purchased several garment tanned pelts, that are graded as craft grade, and have no problems with using them. Just be sure if you intend to use the hide, like for Zonker strips the tanning is a garment type. Otherwise, they may not be suitable for getting wet. Also, dyeing tanned pelts with acid dyes often removes the tan & the hide dries hard. To get it soft again would require it to be tanned again, and likely not worth the expense.

 

I paid $89 for the one I have, and that was several years ago. I've seen them for less & for much more. Depends on what you're willing to pay.

 

Frankly, as far as dyeing, I would rather dye & use Red Fox. Less costly, and same type of action to the material. I like the dyed over the natural Red Fox better too for the flies I tie.

[Meeshka 0]

At our local tannery I can purchase:

 

White Arctic Fox Pelt: $189.00

Red Fox Pelt: $150.00

Black Fox Pelt: $240.00

All Top Grade, and prices are in Canadian

Do not know if this Company can ship out of Canada.

 

I've never bought one but have in my collection:

Black Timber Wolf Pelt: Shot myself

Coyote Pelt: Shot myself

Black Bear Pelt (Blonde) Shot myself

They work just fine but i will never tye enough flies to use this material up I am great friends with my taxidermist and perfer to just get cutoffs from his work.

[Rocco 0]

Find a furrier who makes his own coats, hats etc. His throw-away trimmings can put you in line with all kinds of fur and hair.

 

The price can be right too. 40 + years ago I used to share a bottle of Red Label scotch with a guy who owned a shop in Belgrade and am still using the sweepings from his work.

 

Zive i zdrave Milane!

 

Rocco

[Nick Williams 0]

The one I am looking at is selling for $80, and was bought two years ago from a distributor in Alaska. Down here in Oklahoma, USA we don't have many people trapping much other than bobcat and beaver, and people making garments is very hard to come by.

 

Any things to look for when purchasing a pelt for fly tying purposes?

[tidewaterfly 0]

Nick, as I said above, ideally, you'll want it to be garment tanned (chrome tanned).

It shouldn't have any mold or mildew, as that means it's been allowed to get damp.

Check for bugs. They're not always evident until you look close. This is primarily clothes moth larva, and you can see the damage they do, as the hair pulls out easily & they leave behind their "droppings". They tend to chew the hair off at the hide and also leave behind a "webby" material, that looks like spider web. This is a cocoon material, but may be difficult to see in a white pelt.

 

If it has the "moth ball" odor, that's not unusual. That scent will dissipate with use. I keep pelts in zip lock bags with moth crystals & silica gel packs.

 

Not usually a problem with fox, but be sure it hasn't been sheared. I bought a piece of sheep hide once that had been sheared. Wasn't described as such & wasn't what I wanted. Some fur garments are sheared, and pelts that have been are not the best for tying as the only good use is dubbing.

 

Otherwise, it should have full fur. It may have rubbed spots, or short, damaged hair spots, that's not unusual for pelts in the lesser grades if that's what it is. Several of the pelts I've purchased over the years have had slight damage, which lessens the grading, but still plenty of hair for tying. I use any shorter, damaged hair for dubbing, and longer hair for other purposes, such as streamers.

 

Many furriers now don't toss their trimmings, as they know there's a market for them with fly tyers & crafters. But, still they may sell them at a reasonable price. I used to get trimmings from a women who made fur garments when I was tying commercially the first time, and she sold them to me cheap.

[tferg 0]

This is my first post here. Hope the attachment works.

Anyway, I thought I'd add a fly that I had tied with some Artic Fox mask remnants.

Kind of a double bunny.

[mikechell 0]

Welcome to the site, Tferg. Nice looking fly.