Black Bear/Sea Otter Trapper Style Hat for sitting in deer stands or styling in town

[yhc]

I have a like new black bear trapper style hat with Sea Otter fur on the inside flaps/neckline and forehead areas for sale. $500 TYD anywhere in the US.

I purchased it a year ago, wore it a couple times during short walks. I have one too many trapper style hats so decided to put the newest one up for sale. It's a high-quality product made by a reputable Alaskan native furrier. It's very warm, perfect for sitting in deer stands or styling in town. My US Hat Size is 7 1/2 and it fits me well, but I suspect it will accommodate US Hat sizes 7 3/8 to 7 5/8 as well.

 

[WAB]

If you’ve really got sea otter fur on that hat I would check the laws regarding it before I went any further with the sale. That is a VERY protected species.

 

[roklok]

Sea Otter fur is used frequently in hats, trim for coats, gloves etc. here in Alaska. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting possession and transfer as long as it originated with Native hunters and was used in a product fashioned by them. We need more sea otters killed, they are decimating the shellfish in a lot of areas.

 

[Sarg]

Sea Otter fur is used frequently in hats, trim for coats, gloves etc. here in Alaska. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting possession and transfer as long as it originated with Native hunters and was used in a product fashioned by them. We need more sea otters killed, they are decimating the shellfish in a lot of areas.

That’s very interesting on the numbers, I thought also how could it have Sea Otter fur in a commercial product.

I collect skulls & would love a Sea Otter, do you know if one can be bought from a Native trapper legally ?

Cool (warm) hat, be great setting in freezing hunting stands/blinds or Ice fishing ?

Good luck with the sale !

 

[WAB]

Sea Otter fur is used frequently in hats, trim for coats, gloves etc. here in Alaska. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting possession and transfer as long as it originated with Native hunters and was used in a product fashioned by them. We need more sea otters killed, they are decimating the shellfish in a lot of areas.

Yep there were tons of them where we ran our boat. Highly illegal to kill them unless you’re a native. I’ll take your word for it on the possession of native harvested otter. Personally I would want documentation.

 

[375Fox]

Yep there were tons of them where we ran our boat. Highly illegal to kill them unless you’re a native. I’ll take your word for it on the possession of native harvested otter. Personally I would want documentation.

Especially when crossing state lines or using the post office.

 

[HankBuck]

Sea Otter fur is used frequently in hats, trim for coats, gloves etc. here in Alaska. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting possession and transfer as long as it originated with Native hunters and was used in a product fashioned by them. We need more sea otters killed, they are decimating the shellfish in a lot of areas.

@roklok - I’m skeptical because the satin quilted lining on that hat appears to be commercially made and Sea Otter has Not been legal for many decades — if it really is Sea Otter. I know Sea Otter is the densest fur ever - more hair folicals per square inch then any other mammal, a truly superior fur vs Beaver, mink, muskrat, or river otter…but that does not appear to be a man made—-native made fur hat…at least Not.to my UNtrained eye.

 

[roklok]

I was speaking to the legality and commonality of sea otter fur in crafts, not that hat itself. However, this hat being sold by yhc does appear to have otter lining as described, on the inside of the flaps. It is the very fine dense fur. The inside of the hat against the skull is fabric lined as these hats commonly are no matter what fur they are constructed with.


Here is information on the legality from the department of the interior:

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/iacb-fws-sea-otter-brochure-web.pdf

As for the question on the skull ? No, I am pretty sure a skull would not be legal for a non-native to possess, unless it was significantly altered by the native artisan and wasn't simply a wildlife part.

 

[yhc]

Wow, I didn't realize this FS post would generate such interest.

It is to my understanding, as @roklok has indicated, that it is legal to purchase marine mammal parts from native craftsman once the raw material is "significantly altered and qualify as authentic Native handicrafts".

Having said that, I will verify with US FWS next week to verify legality of selling this native handicraft as a non-native consumer/owner.

The following is an excerpt from US FWS website.

AK Native Handicrafts/Marine Mammals

*********************************************************************************************

WHAT IS AN AUTHENTIC NATIVE HANDICRAFT? ​

Authentic Native handicrafts are items composed wholly or in some significant respect of natural materials which are significantly altered from their natural form and which are produced, decorated, or fashioned in the exercise of traditional handicrafts without the use of pantographs, multiple carvers or other mass copying devices. Traditional handicrafts include, but are not limited to weavings, carvings, stitching, sewing, lacings, beadings, drawings, and paintings.

Marine mammal parts must be significantly altered and qualify as authentic Native handicrafts to be lawfully sold to non-Native people.
**********************************************************************************************

@HankBuck, I can understand your skepticism. I included the picture of the liner to make the point that, as I have stated above, this hat is a high-quality product made by a reputable Alaskan native furrier. I see a lot of fur hats that are lined by variety of materials, but you won't see too many with the satin quilted lining. I think it is a nice touch.

@Sarg, if you open up the link above, you will see that it is "illegal to sell, trade, or barter sea otter or polar bear hides or unaltered skulls and claws to non-Native people."

 

[gbflyer]

If it has a backing sewn on you’re good.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello HankBuck,

I have a comparable hat but of Sea Otter inside the ear flaps and Harbor Seal, over exterior of the crown and outside of the ear flaps.
It was made for me by Mrs, Nyukpuk in Shishmaref (remote Arctic village in Alaska).
I worked with her son, Garett, up in Dead Horse.
He got me a good deal on the price.

The fabric lining in mine is clearly a mass produced product.
However, the expert maker incorporated it perfectly into her finished product.
The whole hat looks like something from a major manufacturer / major retailer.
But it definitely is not.
She measured, cut and stitched everything by hand.
She makes one hat at a a time, using waxed dental floss for thread.
Hope this helps clear up any fog about common fur hats made in Alaska.

NOTE:
If USA Federal Laws have changed, making me a criminal now, oye vey.
They’d have to arrest half the caucasians in Alaska for marine mammal garments and art work.
That said, I know better than to tempt fate by wearing my fur hat into Soviet Occupied California.
I was born and raised there.

Those nuts in the state political structure, seem to thrive on making every honest, hard working Californian, as miserable as possible, with their wacky laws.
Among other tomfoolery there, kangaroo leather is unlawful.
Sheesh.

About 35 years ago, I had an Australian girlfriend and she told me those things were so over-populated and destructive to crops in certain farming areas that, they were considered vermin.
I expect since the Calif. state authorities believe vermin leather is contraband, then surely they would seize my Inupiat made, marine mammal hat and torture a confession out of me, prior to their firing squad finishing me off for such political incorrectness.

As usual, my smarty pants phone is acting up.
It posted my rant here twice and so I deleted one copy.
Plus, it still won’t let me post a photo right now, whatsoever.
I’ve tried a few times, off and on, over the past couple hours.
I might try again some other day ….

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

PS:
If I had a lawn mower or washing machine that was as unreliable as computers are (including my cursed “smart” phone), I’d get a speeding ticket taking them to the dump.

 

[Velo Dog]

.

 

[HankBuck]

I was speaking to the legality and commonality of sea otter fur in crafts, not that hat itself. However, this hat being sold by yhc does appear to have otter lining as described, on the inside of the flaps. It is the very fine dense fur. The inside of the hat against the skull is fabric lined as these hats commonly are no matter what fur they are constructed with.


Here is information on the legality from the department of the interior:

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/iacb-fws-sea-otter-brochure-web.pdf

As for the question on the skull ? No, I am pretty sure a skull would not be legal for a non-native to possess, unless it was significantly altered by the native artisan and wasn't simply a wildlife part.

@roklok - the fur looks like regular River Otter to me but I have never trapped or even examined a Sea Otter pelt up close so there’s certainly a chance I’m wrong.

 

[Luvthunt]

Interesting thread!

 

[gprippers]

There are websites that sell Sea Otter and River otter fur hats and it says that the fur is legal to own as long as a native AK has changed the hide up and used it in the making of crafts, clothing etc. Her website is here:

C.Ruby Designs

Sea otter hats, seal fur hats, seal fur mittens, real fur hats, sea otter fur mittens, Alaskan Native furs, sea otter scarves, fingerless mittens sea otter fur

crubydesigns.com

It also says on here website under info:

Our Alaska Federal Regulations on seal and sea otter​

A non-native or non Indian of Alaska cannot possess a tanned or raw hide until it is altered by an AK Native and made into a handicraft. Exporting the handicraft out of the United States is illegal without obtaining a CITES permits obtained by USFW. Which at this time the permits can cost up to $350 and can take up to six months to process. I apologize for not being able to sell outside the U.S.

SELLING/ SHIPPING SEA OTTER APPAREL TO YOUR STATE IS LEGAL. Alaskan Natives, are exempt through the MMPA laws of the federal government, which allows us to sell our furs to any U.S. State. But depending on your state laws, it may be illegal to re-sale.

 

[flying sailor]

Hello HankBuck,

I have a comparable hat but of Sea Otter inside the ear flaps and Harbor Seal, over exterior of the crown and outside of the ear flaps.
It was made for me by Mrs, Nyukpuk in Shishmaref (remote Arctic village in Alaska).
I worked with her son, Garett, up in Dead Horse.
He got me a good deal on the price.

The fabric lining in mine is clearly a mass produced product.
However, the expert maker incorporated it perfectly into her finished product.
The whole hat looks like something from a major manufacturer / major retailer.
But it definitely is not.
She measured, cut and stitched everything by hand.
She makes one hat at a a time, using waxed dental floss for thread.
Hope this helps clear up any fog about common fur hats made in Alaska.

NOTE:
If USA Federal Laws have changed, making me a criminal now, oye vey.
They’d have to arrest half the caucasians in Alaska for marine mammal garments and art work.
That said, I know better than to tempt fate by wearing my fur hat into Soviet Occupied California.
I was born and raised there.

Those nuts in the state political structure, seem to thrive on making every honest, hard working Californian, as miserable as possible, with their wacky laws.
Among other tomfoolery there, kangaroo leather is unlawful.
Sheesh.

About 35 years ago, I had an Australian girlfriend and she told me those things were so over-populated and destructive to crops in certain farming areas that, they were considered vermin.
I expect since the Calif. state authorities believe vermin leather is contraband, then surely they would seize my Inupiat made, marine mammal hat and torture a confession out of me, prior to their firing squad finishing me off for such political incorrectness.

As usual, my smarty pants phone is acting up.
It posted my rant here twice and so I deleted one copy.
Plus, it still won’t let me post a photo right now, whatsoever.
I’ve tried a few times, off and on, over the past couple hours.
I might try again some other day ….

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

PS:
If I had a lawn mower or washing machine that was as unreliable as computers are (including my cursed “smart” phone), I’d get a speeding ticket taking them to the dump.

Kangaroo leather illegal? Seems like everything is illegal in CA. Maybe your phone is tied into CA dept of Labor, that is why is does not work properly!