The Ethics of Selling Capes

[bownut]

So how do all you HBC members feel about Resident Hunters going out and taking game with the intention of selling the capes?
Seems like more and more individuals feel that if a so so animal hits the dirt the Cape Market will justify the Harvest.
What do yo think about the trade off?

[Moose63]

I couldn't give away my bear rug....

[bownut]

I couldn't give away my bear rug....

Sheep seem to be the big ticket item.

[Gateholio]

If it's lawfully taken, it's their property to do with as they choose within the law.

[Weatherby Fan]

If it's lawfully taken, it's their property to do with as they choose within the law.

My thoughts exactly, if you've taken it legally and can make use of the cape instead of it going to waste why not ? if you can make $100 or $150 maybe cover a couple tanks of gas for your trip all the better.

I used to cape every animal I shot just for the practice........

[twoSevenO]

How and where does one find the Cape prices?

[Weatherby Fan]

How and where does one find the Cape prices?

mostly taxidermists want them so call them and see what they'll pay

[Rackmastr]

Gets to be an interesting conversation, especially when dealing in sheep and grizz. I too have heard stories of people shooting animals just to justify the cost of their flight into an area, after they weren't successful in finding a 'big' ram.

No doubt a person can get pretty in depth about ethics, etc. Doesn't always come down to 'if its legal' when getting into these conversations.

I have bought and sold capes of various critters. I've also had some great in depth insightful conversation about the 'ethics' surrounding it and how its viewed within various communities (hunters, non hunters, antis, etc)

[bearvalley]

If it's lawfully taken, it's their property to do with as they choose within the law.

Should that thought apply to the sale of game meat as well?

[bearvalley]

Rackmaster kind of nailed it when he touched on ethics.
Theres 2 ways to look at this in my opinion, if someone doesn’t want a cape and someone else can make good use of it great.
If a few bucks trade hands for the time in dealing with the cape, great as well.
The alternative is it rotting in the bush.
The flip side is if someone is selling capes to pay for trips.....they are looked at by some asreally not putting much value on the animal they shot.