Wild North American Fur
Tanning
The environmental impacts of fur tanning are often called into question by those opposing the use of fur. However, not all tanning methods are created equal and the topic is far more nuanced than most give it credit.
Fur is by nature a delicate material requiring a gentler and less toxic tanning process than leather. All our fur is processed here in the United States with the alum salt tanning method. Alum salts are used as an astringent and can be found in many products ranging from jars of pickles to deodorants.
Alum tanning is one of the most primitive forms of tanning, and is actually not considered a “true" tan. It is instead referred to as “tawing,” and has commonly been used to preserve hides since ancient times.
Chrome tanning is a more durable and modern method of tanning which is often utilized for tanning leather, not fur. This process requires stronger chemicals which cannot effectively be used to tan fur since the acidity of the tanning solution would damage fur. In addition, chrome tanning creates a blueish hue that would be undesirable.
Synthetic vs. Natural
Did you know that according to the Canadian Museum of Nature, a polyester sweater can release 1,000,000 plastic fibers in a single wash cycle? These plastic fibers also make their way into the air we breathe. Faux fur, often touted as an alternative to natural fur, is commonly made of plastic.
Natural materials like real fur are biodegradable and quickly return to the earth. Plastic, on the other hand, breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics which end up inside not only animals but humans well.
An article written by Katia Savchuk and published in the Stanford Medicine News, states that scientists estimate adult humans ingest approximately a credit card worth of plastic every week. Studies have linked microplastics to increased risk of cancer, heart attacks, reproductive issues, and more.
In addition, real fur is far superior in warmth than faux fur. Real fur possesses fluffy dense underfur and long guard hairs which act together to insulate and protect against the elements.
Carbon Footprint
North American wild caught fur has a low carbon footprint compared to many other clothing materials which are often either farmed, sourced, produced or manufactured in some manner overseas.
Our carbon footprint is even lower since every fur we sew comes from wild animals sustainably harvested right here where we live in the state of Vermont.
It doesn't get much more local than that!
Animal Welfare
The Best Management Practices for Trapping (BMPs) were developed in the late 1990’s by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) to help promote good welfare of trapped animals, enhance trapping efficiency, selectivity and safety.
Through scientific research, in partnership with wildlife professionals, veterinarians, and licensed trappers, the development of the BMPs tested over 600 types of traps, evaluating them on many different criteria. These criteria were established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Forty-one states participated in field testing and the development of the BMPs and all 50 states support the BMPs. Trapping BMPs exist for 22 species of furbearers and are updated and expanded as more traps are tested.
While the BMP recommendations were not developed to be made into law, Vermont was one of the first states to implemented aspects of the BMPs into law that trappers must follow.
The two main traps used by trappers are foothold traps and conibear traps. Foothold traps are primarily used for land species such as fox and coyote, while conibear traps are most often used in water for aquatic animals like beaver and otter.
The conibear trap was created by Frank Conibear, a Canadian trapper with a passion to develop a humane, quick-kill, trap. Conibears works much like mouse traps, and are designed to snap behind the head of the animal resulting in a fast and humane death.
Foothold traps are restraining style trap and function by holding the animal's foot until it can be dispatched. In Vermont, traps set on land must be checked daily, ensuring a prompt response time to a restrained animal.
Anyone wishing to purchase a trapping license must first successfully complete a trapper education course, which teaches students about traps and how to responsibly use them as well as other relevant information.
You can learn more about the Best Management Practices for
Trapping here: https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-inspires/furbearer-management
Sustainable Harvest
Trapping is one of the most highly regulated outdoor activities. Regulated trapping is used by state wildlife agencies to manage furbearer populations and their habitat, reintroduce wildlife populations, protect public and private infrastructure and protect human health and safety. State wildlife agencies establish and enforce rules and regulations such as season lengths, bag limits, trap types and specific restrictions on how and where they can be set. These laws help ensure furbearer populations remain healthy and abundant.
In Vermont, licensed trappers are required to submit a survey each year that provides the fish and wildlife department information on what furbearer the trapper was targeting, how many they caught, the management unit they were trapping in and how many days they had traps set. This data provides biologists vital information for monitoring populations.
Vermont trappers must also submit carcasses from otter, bobcat, and fisher to the Department. Biologist collect sex and age data as well as many other biological samples. This is critical in monitoring wildlife populations for changes in age structure and body weight/condition, and gives researchers the ability to detect emergent disease, environmental pollutants, and more.
Modern trappers play an integral role in promoting and supporting sustainable harvest and conservation initiatives, as well as directly contributing to scientific research on furbearer species.
You can learn more on how Vermont trappers are contributing to science here: Learn More
Heritage
The North American fur trade is what shaped our nation. It inspired many of our ancestors to strike out into the wilderness, with the sun in their eyes and the wind in their hair, in pursuit of their dreams. During this exploration, there were few regulations and some populations of animals faced peril at the hands of man.
Today, we have laws in place to ensure the sustainable harvest of North American furbearer and game species. The greatest threats to these wildlife populations no longer come from hunters and trappers, but instead from habitat loss and climate change.
With each new box store erected, essential habitat disappears along with many of the animals that once lived there; and with every fast fashion item that is flown in from far out reaches of the globe, pollution further chokes our natural world.
We strive to live close to the land, and in doing so, are directly reliant on healthy ecosystems for food and fur. Hunters and trappers are, and continue to be, some of the greatest contributors to conservation initiatives in the United States today.
We hope you will join us in honoring our heritage and connection to the land through wise use of our natural resources.
