In an argument with an animal rights anti-fur eco-freak?

[just Warren]

Drop this website on them:

http://www.furisgreen.com/furisgreen.aspx   

I know we have outdoorsmen and animal husbandmen here that probably know this stuff offhand but it's nice to have a reference place for the rest of us. Plus learning of it's existence might just cause your opponent to mentally lock up.

"Green?! Green!? Arrrgh, my brain!" *pop*

In this video it is pointed out that the reason the fur industry has been getting hammered for the last few decades is that it is an industry composed almost exclusively of small businesses. Furriers, fur farmers, and trappers, and others don't have the resources to fight back. But that's been changing the last few years.

The battle is finally being taken to the enemy.

[Mannlicher]

why bother?  No fur freak is ever going to change their mind or world view, based on a tete-a-tete with you, me, or anyone else.

[Northwoods]

McAfee doesn't like that site.

That said, if the fur is coming from animals harvested for a reason beyond just their fur (e.g. pest removal, meat, etc.) I have no problem with it.  But I'm not much of a fan of raising an animal just for its fur and then wasting the rest of it.  Which is what the anti-fur crowd wants us to think is what happens, and to some extent probably did.  If we're going to raise an animal to kill it for our own purposes I like to see the whole animal (or as much as possible) is utilized.  Which most animal processors actually do a fantastic job doing.  Most of the parts we usually don't eat go into pet food or fertilizer for crops or cosmetics, etc.

[Hawkmoon]

Most of the parts we usually don't eat go into pet food or fertilizer for crops or cosmetics, etc.

Or Shoes
Boots
Belts
Gloves
Jackets
Wallets
Handbags
Purses
Furniture
Car seats

[Northwoods]

Guess I had edible parts more in mind than the skin/hide.

[Hawkmoon]

Guess I had edible parts more in mind than the skin/hide.

Parts is parts.

The anti-fur crusade just doesn't like killin' animulez.

[just Warren]

I was surprised at how small the fur industry is, for a business model that's 5000+ years old it has stayed remarkably tiny. 

[Northwoods]

Leather for the upholstery.

[just Warren]

Yeah, I figured that out after I posted. I was thinking about desks and cabinets and such and couldn't figure out where the animal product went.

[Firethorn]

Why don't the PETA types go after Bikers?  It's not just because they have a smidge of self-preservation.

At least the semi-sane ones realize the following metrics:
1. The leather gear that a biker wears comes from multiple animals, but a couple cow's worth of hide provides all the leather necessary for him.  You're looking at about 40 mink for a fur coat, vs 1 cow for a leather jacket(and you'll have leather left over).
2. Bikers wear leather for protection more than fashion.  This is 'nobler'.
3. At least we eat the cows as well, as well as using 'every' bit of the animal - ties into the Native American stuff so many are 'into'.  It's nobler to use 'ALL' of the animal.

Also, cow's aren't as cute.

[vaskidmark]

It has always been my opinion that PETA-ites are upset for two reasons:

1 - Being the not-popular kids all their life, they know that throwing the unshaved, tanned pelt of some poor "almost looks like my 'Twinkles the cat'" is not going to create any improvement in their social status this late in the game; and more importantly

2 - They are jealous that the little animals get an electric probe shoved up their butt and nobody calls it kinky.

stay safe.

[BlueStarLizzard]

Yeah, but some of those mink (and other furs) that got red paint splashed might not have been new, either.

Those things get passed down like jewelry. I'm not sure I'd ever have the urge to go and buy myself a fancy fur coat, much less the money to do so, but I'd wear a vintage one in a heartbeat.

The PETA types don't go after bikers because they'll get beat. Period. They go after rich little ladies who are headed to the ballet instead because they won't get slugged.

[MechAg94]

If I was in a colder climate, I wouldn't hesitate to use a coat made of fur/animal skin if that is what kept me warm. 

IMO, if you are killing the animal for a purpose, it isn't such a bad thing.  Making fur coats is a purpose.  If there was no fur coat industry, those minks wouldn't be alive.  One think I have heard mentioned before, animals that hunters and industry raise or hunt, tend to survive and thrive.  Animals they don't want or care about often end up endangered.  Attaching value to an animal can help it. 

[KD5NRH]

The PETA types don't go after bikers because they'll get beat. Period. They go after rich little ladies who are headed to the ballet instead because they won't get slugged.

Yup, which is why I keep hoping one day they'll not look close enough and splash some bantamweight boxer or MMA fighter all bundled up.