Full mask sporran: Yea or Nay?

[Mike_Oettle]

Canuck wrote: “I belong to a school of thought that states it’s acceptable to kill an animal for the benefit of several or many humans but not acceptable to kill an animal for the sake of, for instance, my own vanity . . .”

Well, I can assure you, the caracal was not killed for my benefit.
This species is routinely trapped as vermin, and the pelt that is coming to me came out of a trap.
Stock farmers and game farmers don’t go out looking for caracal, but they do all they can to discourage them from preying on their animals (livestock or wild buck).
Another common type of vermin here is the jackal.
Some years ago there was a major campaign against jackals, and hunters reported great success in exterminating them. The downside was that caracal became more rapacious than ever.
Scientists told us that a prime function of the jackal is to attack caracal litters and kill the kittens. If there are not enough jackals to do this, the outcome is stock loss.
The balance of nature is extremely delicate.
Regards,
Mike

[Lallans]

Canuck wrote: “I belong to a school of thought that states it’s acceptable to kill an animal for the benefit of several or many humans but not acceptable to kill an animal for the sake of, for instance, my own vanity . . .”

Well, I can assure you, the caracal was not killed for my benefit.
This species is routinely trapped as vermin, and the pelt that is coming to me came out of a trap.
Stock farmers and game farmers don’t go out looking for caracal, but they do all they can to discourage them from preying on their animals (livestock or wild buck).
Another common type of vermin here is the jackal.
Some years ago there was a major campaign against jackals, and hunters reported great success in exterminating them. The downside was that caracal became more rapacious than ever.
Scientists told us that a prime function of the jackal is to attack caracal litters and kill the kittens. If there are not enough jackals to do this, the outcome is stock loss.
The balance of nature is extremely delicate.
Regards,
Mike

Peace, Mike- absolutely no criticism of anyone was given and I didn't intend to convey anything but my personal view of the mask issue. Buddha knows that Canada is already hung up enough regarding wildlife matters, often by viciously selfrightous people who never venture outside the city unless via freeways that destroyed millions of hectares of animal habitat and who will try to kill you if you get in the way of their SUVs on your bicycle or at crosswalks.

Now THAT was a value judgement.

[Andy Proffitt]

As for badgers, the local variety is the honey badger or ratel. It can be quite a vicious creature.
(The South African military uses an armoured personnel carrier called the Ratel.)
This badger has a silvery back (black and white fur mixed), and the white fur continues onto its scalp. However the face, throat, belly and sides are black.
It could probably make a very handsome long sporran using mainly the back fur.
Regards,
Mike

A honey badger or wolverine FM would be a statement. These 2 are in the lead for animals with the worst attitude. I've watched wolverine steal kills from wolves and bears and then fight them when they try to get it back. Talk about sporting a macho animal with oversized (metaphorical) cojones, it would be like the lion warriors of the Zulu.

[wildrover]

some FM sporrans are very nice- but not one I have ever seen for current sale however; I think the art has been lost.

What differences do you notice, in the current offerings vs what you have seen in historical paintings, photos, etc.? What changes would you make to a contemporary FM sporran, such that you'd consider buying one?

A honey badger or wolverine FM would be a statement. These 2 are in the lead for animals with the worst attitude. I've watched wolverine steal kills from wolves and bears and then fight them when they try to get it back. Talk about sporting a macho animal with oversized (metaphorical) cojones, it would be like the lion warriors of the Zulu.

I don't know if one of these would make a good FM or not. Head's kinda big.


I know it's just an opinion, but a wolverine is probably not something I'd get a FM from, or even a non-FM sporran, simply because they're so rare. If I got my hands on a full pelt, I'd keep it intact and hang it on the wall...only way I'd do a FM wolverine would be the roadkill route or recycling an old pelt that was too damaged to hang. Coyote, fox, caracal, maybe jackal at some point, badger, beaver, deer, those are common enough I got no problem wearing their mask & fur. Just a personal thing, I know, but thought maybe it was worth saying. I'm pretty certain I can get seal as well, but again, I feel conflicted.

[Bugbear]

Post deleted

[Mark E.]

First off, apologies to all, The devil made me do it. Or would have, if he'd gotten in line quick enough:

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I couldn't just use the face, what would I have done with the rest of him?
Discourages most "kilt inspectors", too. Loves to be petted, bites no one. Me, on the other hand...
I wasn't able to find a bearskin skinned "cased" fashion, just rug. Still looking though. Midwestern winters get chilly.

When did fur face sporrans start, anyone know?

Mark

[Lallans]

What differences do you notice, in the current offerings vs what you have seen in historical paintings, photos, etc.? What changes would you make to a contemporary FM sporran, such that you'd consider buying one?

The ones I see in stores locally (ok, one store, two branches) are from poorly tanned and prepared hides, mostly mink, and in general, if you're a DIY guy, against other sporrans I've seen it's like comparing classic Snap On tools to the stuff now being sold in big box stores. In other words, the sporrans I see for sale now are made by some sort of indifferent sweatshop labour. Which is not to say there are not good ones being made by real artisans somewhere. But as I said, I personally wouldn't buy a FM sporran. Not unless it was made from the hide of a critter that attacked me- that would be my right. If I wanted one, I'd have to cover myself in food and stand out in the woods. But that would be wrong in and of itself, so there you go.

[McClef]

I won't be convinced until I see a full mask blue whale sporran.

[Mike_Oettle]

McClef wrote: “I won't be convinced until I see a full mask blue whale sporran.”

Sir, you tempt me to consider an FM sporran with an elephant’s trunk . . . nah, my belly’s not big enough!
Regards,
Mike

[BLHS209]

I won't be convinced until I see a full mask blue whale sporran.

You know what they say - "be careful what you wish for...."