No more Seal Skin material being sold?

[michigan bill]

I suspect that the 2.5 inch squares of seal skin are no longer being sold.
At least I cannot find any at retailers like Alaska Bowhunting Supply.
Anyone know of anybody who is still selling it?
In terms of "quiet", what do you believe is second best?  Moleskin?
Thanks.

Bill

[mrpenguin]

Hi Bill,

It is not being sold as it is not legal to sell (really not legal to harvest).  There is a gent on the classifieds looking to sell some 'extra' skin that he has, but its kinda pricey for me.  That said you cannot get it anywhere else.  I believe 3Rivers sells Beaver skin or something comparable, but I have not yet tried it.  I just went back to the bear hair rug and it works fine.

Good luck!

[JRY309]

For me I always preffered calf skin hair rest,even more then sealskin.

[Ward / Texas]

Well that makes sense, I was looking for some a few weeks ago, and I couldn't find any.  I saw some nutria skin for sale on ****.  That's when we know times are tough when we substitute seals for nutrias.
Ward

[BMejia]

There was a guy selling "seal" skin in *bay as a fly tying material. I thought I hit jack pot when I ordered a 3" x 3" square for like $5...

When it came I was disappointed, I am not sure what it is but I can assure you it is not seal skin. Muskrat is my best guess.

Lucky for me I have seal rests on all my bows and they last forever! I will always be looking for more for future bows or for back up though.

Good Luck, let us know if you find any.

[ber643]

I think I read somewhere that only the Inuits/Eskimos, etc. (those who have a legal right and limit to harvest a seal) can use/or sell seal skin and that of course limits the supply greatly. I also happen to love sealskin for shelf pads and arrow passes. Bear hair rugs, and also the softer part of the velcro type fasteners make pretty good replacements.

That having been said, let me mention this though. The indigenous Native Alaskans used to (and may still) make belts out of many small discs of sealskin and brightly colored cords and felt disc backings, for sale. One old time member (don't recall who) on one of the trad forums (perhaps here) mentioned a few years back that he was lucky enough to find one in a second-hand store. Not 3 months later (after being forewarned and forearmed) I also found one, in a miscellaneous items box, at a local flea market. I scarfed up the "belt" for a measly $1.00, and have a lifetime supply of sealskin. Not bragging about my good fortune to rub it in - just trying to forewarn others to be on the lookout for this possible bonanza:

 

As you can make out, the second (or inner) layer of discs is lighter in hair/fur color, and there is about twice as many as in the top (outter) layer of discs. You can also see the discs of sealskin are a little bigger than a quarter and plenty big enough for a self rug or arrow pass (in most instances). I just unlace and remove one or two as needed - nothing is sewn or glued in these belts.

Be alert (I almost missed my opportunity) - besides, the world needs more Lerts - LOL

If this helps even one person (as the previous members post did for me) it will be worth it.

[ThePushArchery]

Adhesive backed velcro.

Use the soft side (Loop side of the hook and loop)

Nothing is quieter IMO.

[bigbadjon]

I have tried the beaver fur and it is vastly different, almost like really slick rabbit fur. The only fur rest that even comes close to having the same properties is calf skin imo.

[JustinNC]

It's a shame too with the problem they've become in New England and west coast.

While I don't really think clubbing is the answer, just because they're a marine mammal doesn't mean they shouldnt have sustainable harvest.

[Doc Nock]

Bernie nailed it.

Native AK can harvest and sell but it has to be as a product.

If you look at your older "square" of sealskin, there was a sewn edge...that made it a manufactured product and not just the hide.

Apparently, the indigenous people up there decided to stop participating or didn't want the hassle, so its now gone.

Bernie,

I had a real belt made out of that stuff many, many moons ago and the medalions were at least silver dollar size...what I'd give for that sucker now!  :(

[michigan bill]

Thanks, gents - more than helpful as per usual.
Looks like I gotta make a trip to Alaska.

Bill

[Daz]

I have found that a patch of skin from the lower, inside leg of a coyote works well. A good combination of easy to work with, quiet and durable.
It is fine hair, thinner in distribution, and most pelt guys have no issues with trimming that part off if you have no access or desire to self harvest one.

[ber643]

I'll bet, Doc. I had seen a couple of those kind when I was younger and that's why I kinda knew what to look for after the other guys post - but the difference in size was why I almost overlooked the one I did find - LOL. I think it (and the one the other guy found) were probably more like ladies belts, perhaps. I decided the picture of mine might be helpful to others.

Michigan Bill, a good excuse for a trip to Alaska  :D   - but if you can't make it there, you might contact someone there and ask them to see if they could pick one up for you from the Natives. Good luck to all in searches. I dearly love the stuff. Quite often I shave the hair off one disc (disposable razors) to make arrow passes - the hide, while soft, is so durable. Shelf rugs I just trim the hair with small (fly tying), sharp sissors to my desires/needs.

[graysquirrel]

Velcro hands down, available (most important part) and a heck of a lot cheaper

[non-typical]

Velcro seals the deal....  :cool:

[Ragnarok Forge]

Velcro does the job for me.

[Sixby]

What I have used for years is New Zealand shearling lamb. I just trim it down tight to the hide and it makes a wondrfukl rest and window pad. Its super soft, naturally oil in the wool . I like it even better than the sealskin and I have used both. Lamb all the way . God Bless you all, give it a try, Steve

[michigan bill]

Great!  So it's off to New Zealand as soon as I get back from Alaska - unless I get a coyote first.
Velcro is looking better all the time!

Bill

[onewhohasfun]

Hey Bill, As long as you're going , pick me up some.

[ber643]

onewhohasfun, from one who has fun too -    

That NZ sheepskin sounds like it might be pretty good too.