Steve Boot thinks these issues could be resolved if the relevant agencies all sat down around the table to devise a system of satisfying everyones needs.Lets exploit the little critters to the max, he says. From the forests of New Zealand to luxury markets around the world Basically Bush supply fabulous wild possum fur. Copyright 2023 Basically Bush. We see it as using the whole animal in a sustainable way and one that captures our sense of closeness with the environment we live in here in New . Words: Lee-Anne Duncan Images: Rachael McKenna & Lee-Anne Duncan Possums might be one of the New Zealand's most destructive pests, destroying native forests and feeding on native birds eggs, chicks and invertebrate, but their lusturous underwool is wonderfully soft and warm. Levies raised $37 million in 2002, and the government gave the board a further $25 million to enable it to carry out possum control over an area of 4.2 million hectares, one fifth of it public conservation land. Again, it is a trade with humbleand recentbeginnings. Norway. Each fur-trimmed garment is manufactured using the fur from one possum, he says. While they used some local possum back then, mostly it was rabbit fur imported from France and Belgium. Direct from Southland forrestry to us, to you. Its soft and flexible and i just have to smoke it (according to all the information i have gathered.) Hey yall, im new to all this so i was lookin for some good advice. Limited time offer - Save 30% off all videos, use code: 30OFFVIDEO. We advise using the following preservation techniques to extend the lifeyou get from our products:As soon as possible, take care of any soiling by spot cleaning with a clean, soft, damp cloth. Skinning possums. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to New Zealand and Australia for the fur trade.. See the fact file below for more information on the possums or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Possum worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment. Steve and his wife, Sue, run their company, Basically Bush, from the backblocks near Opotiki, in the Bay of Plenty. In fact, no one has an accurate figure for the size of the possum population. Color is good, hair on pelt is good, over all I am glad I made this purchase. That equated to 20,000 tonnes (or 4000 truckloads) every night! Mooneys started in the 1920s as skin merchants, with manufacturing bases in Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland. He cuts, then severs the skin at the edge. Cept maybe Melvinand he's lucky he's still able to movethink he realizes that he's gotta keep moving or seize!!! Finding abundant food and no natural predators, they have never looked back. Indian build little fire stand way close. Possums gained a permanent foothold here by 1858. This is quicker than skinning but necessitates the use of traps rather than poisons, so that the animal is taken alive. In 1992, when New Zealand Geographic first covered the possum problem, the fur market was moribund. But on that note, do you leave the like, bone in for the nose or do you have to pull it out with like pliers?? All transactions are converted to NZD currency. The Netherlands. Public distaste for GM has caused a rethink on this project. All rights reserved. Singapore. Sheepskin Pouffe US$325.44 - US$402.96 Inc GST. Despite the animals pest statusin New Zealand, some animal rightsactivists disapprove of the use ofpossum fur. Health regulations are stringent, says plant manager Adele Beazley, making the possum an expensive product to bring to market. With the large range of New Zealand farm and game animals Classic Sheepskins is now regularly tanning large amounts of all animal skins available in NZ. Max says he finds his work very satisfying. New Zealand. Max came to New Zealand in 1987 to work in the Mooneys Furs workroom in Dunedin. The possum fibre and fur industry is on a mission to prove it meets international humane standards. . It seems that possum is becoming the fur de rigueur, the designer fibreteased, braided, woven, dyed and spun. Although it is now recognised that wild pigs, deer and ferrets also have a role in spreading bovine tuberculosis to farmed deer and cattle, there is little doubt that possums are the main vectors. The Department of Conservation, in conjunction with the New Zealand Fur Council encourages fur harvesting by providing access to conservation land to hunters. Their insatiable appetite threatens the survival of many of our native plants, insects and birds, including our national bird the kiwi. Rhondda Traditionally a child would be given a pelt at birth by their skin clan and each year would attain . But for the first time since the anti-fur protests and the sharemarket crash of the late 1980s, when New Zealands possum-skin exports dwindled to a mere $101,000, possum fur is again a fashion item. In its factory the latest Italian knitting machines, looking like props from Dr Who, can be programmed to produce a new design at the touch of a computer keyboard. It has a thick bushy tail, a pointed face, large ears, and long claws for climbing trees. Spain. Freshly-tanned skins are stapled down to a board to help stretch them. He was going to end up just trappin them and killin em, but i asked him for them so now i have 3 skins. We make a lot of throws, fur collars, and cuff sets, headbands, pom-poms. We make coats and jackets out of possum skins for New Zealand shops and tourist outlets, says Heather. Possum hunting in New Zealand : a practical guide to hunting methods, preparation and sale of skins. It is also more supple, has a better drape, and moves more freely. Like the fibres of some other fur-bearing animals, such as polar bears and reindeer, possum fibres have a hollow shaft and therefore retains their warmth when wet or frozen. Arrived here in the UK very quickly and I am one very happy customer. He found that he could weave this twine, much like a fishing net, to make garments. Good luck. All rights reserved. Possums are trapped for their fur and meat. The underneath of his outfit is now a pale purple as opposed to white. The shop carries all of our standard products, unique one-of-a-kind items, factory outlet only products and bespoke sheepskin rugs. Hose down both sides with cold water to get the skin and fur as clean as possible. Leaves are the main part of their diet, but possums are opportunistic omnivores. Javascript is currently disabled in your browser. Established in 1985, BONZ manufactures and retails luxury New Zealand made apparel, accessories and home goods. Steve Boot, another ex-trapper from the possum-fur heyday of the 1970s and 80s and now responsible for procuring fur for Snowy Peak, draws attention to the rapid growth of the fibre industry. My current one is almost done i think. Possum feeding. Around Taumarunui, infection is being pushed back into the Hauhungaroa Range. Officers received a call late on Sunday night from a distressed woman who said . Basically Bush Ltd harvests, procures, processes and finishes all their possum fur skins to a high quality standard. "I believe in harmony o' colour," he gravely said, "and there should be nae contrast between my moustache and its surrounding beauties." Efforts to reduce the millions of possums in New Zealands forests have been boosted by companies that market possum fur. Seriously Twisted began as a backroom experiment in 2000, when Ross Munro, a fisherman for many years, started twisting strands of possum fur and joining them end to end to make one long filament. Genuine sheepskin boots for all the family - from cute little baby boots to our wide range of adult's tall boots. Alpaca . Even as late as 1936 the government refused Taranaki Acclimatisation Society permission to introduce a new strain of possums and in 1937 the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society . Subscribe to our free newsletter for news and prizes. Excellent range - long wool sheepskins, and shorn lambskins shearling plus many size and color options. An extensive search has been mounted for natural pathogens that are at least somewhat possum-specific, both here and in Australia, but apart from a nematode worm that unfortunately doesnt inflict much mortality, nothing has turned up. It was an interesting and a busy time. Established in 1969, Classic Sheepskins is New Zealand's longest established privately owned sheepskin tannery. Cow: 24 | Deer: 18 | Sheep: 14 | Other: 18. working weeks once the skin starts the process. Because most of what I've found says that you need two hides, one for the top middle, the other for the sides. It was a by-product of the pet food industry and the French appetite for eating rabbit. Possum furs uniquely hollow fibre is light yet able to retain warmth. Over $13 million per annum is spent currently on research, and the draft strategy signals some significant changes in research directions. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Several features of this site will not function whilst cookies are disabled. Mooneys Furriers in Dunedin can turn a home-caught possum or rabbit skin into a gorgeous soft furnishing. Even determining how many possums remain in an area after poisoning is difficult. This clever technique means 55cm-long possum pelt can be lengthened into a maximum 120cm strip of fur. New Zealand hides, skins and animal fibre establishments exporting to China Page 1 of 13. . Opossum skins drying in the sun. Sorry I didn't get back with you soonertoo many projects going Take my word for itgo to vandykes taxidermy supply or some other taxidermy supply and buy a kitthe kits are specially made to make the whole tanning process easier. Just take a look at the tonnage. As at 2013 we believe that there are now only 30 million left. For all its favourable qualities, however, possum fur is still an extremely difficult fibre to work with. In itshomeland of Australia the brushtailpossum is a protected species,and when Australian designer LisaHo recently paraded New Zealandpossum-fur jackets and capes on aSydney catwalk she caused a furoreamongst animal-rights activists. kero sene and baking soda works well on rabbit skins but does not come up soft and supple without hours of. This beautifully chrome tanned Brushtail Possum skin is a large size. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. In 1991, the National Science Strategy Committee for Possum and Bovine Tuberculosis Control (NSSC) was set up to determine research needs and co-ordinate the anti-possum campaign. After only 18 years well over 10,000 . Can get a mix of other skins to. Some knowledge of what ph means and what different chemicals do to a hide is helpful, even if those chemicals are the ones found in chicken manure, brains, wood ashes, bark, etc. Call us: 06-835-9662 Follow us: Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The leather is strong, and stitches well. Our gloves are excellent for driving and the mittens ideal for snowy winters or just for walking to work in the cold. With his speed and local knowledge, he could achieve tallies of over 100 first-grade pelts a day. Where to buy: The Tin Shed, Inside a rabbit fur fashion designers 10sqm, solar-powered eco cabin in Central Otago, Contact Us / About Us / Newsletter /Advertise With Us/Subscribe, Hollie Smith: 'What I learned about myself while on tour', Marlborough's scientific taxidermy expert gives native New Zealand animals a second life, The Kiwis behind the next generation of eco-conscious products and services, Signs your chickens might have gapeworm PLUS how to treat it, DIY project: Make a garden cloche to protect your plants, 5 minute gardening refresher: What vegetables to plant in March in New Zealand, How to determine if youve got a dud egg (and what it can teach you). Very nice possum skin , Very happy with the product. From what I've gathered, which isnt much, bark tanned leather is more "waterproof/water-resistant" than brain tanned leather. In the black of night, Australia's 27 species of possum and glider scamper across our roofs, dart along branches in secluded rainforests or peer tentatively from tiny hidey-holes.. Hissing, growling or completely silent, they perform a circus act of acrobatic feats, the larger gliders spreading their gliding membranes to travel more than 100 m at a single jump. Genuine medical sheepskin products from New Zealand can improve the quality of life to those confined to a bed, wheelchair or seat for prolonged periods. Pelt: May contain minor flaws2nd GradeFur: Minor re growth evident, good shine, even fur lengthPelt: Some repair work required3rd GradeFur -More Sparce, more uneven fur length and density.NB: These are wild fur skins and as such each one will be different. If anything, the evidence against them has become more damning. He reminisces about the early 80s, when the price paid for a first-grade skin topped $27. I highly recommend getting a fleshing knife for this task. It has recently been discovered that they prey on the young of an endangered parrot in their homeland of Australia, so their carnivory is apparently no new habit. With the correct. I've been doin some research on tanning all kinds of critters, mostly small game, and brain tanning them seems the easiest and cheapest for me. See our terms of use and privacy notice. She started at Mooneys in 1963 as a seamstress, before moving into sales. Close up shot of the AIATSIS possum skin cloak with the macro lens. I cared enough to write about it. Possums are pests,so, as Ivan Gutsell says, Every deadpossum is a good possum.. Classic NZ specialises in the tanning and manufacturing of sheepskins. Find the perfect interior of tannery stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Max is more than happy to take furs from the public if theyve been properly tanned and treated. Ordered a possum skin and was amazed at the service. Its best to trap a possum rather than shoot it, then kill it with a bolt to the head to prevent damage to the skin. Ref: PAColl . Kiwi Sheepskin carefully select the very best from the two major New Zealand sheepskin tanning companies. Standard $15Rural $20 Total Purchase $121 - $199Standard $25Rural $30. For instance, a major thrust in possum research over the past dozen years has been towards the development of an immunocontraceptive which would immunise female possums against sperm or even their own eggs by infecting them with a genetically-modified virus. or 6 weekly interest-free payments from US$54.24 with. This scarf is 30cm wide x 184cm in total length/circumference, or when folded in half and flat it . Steve Boot believes the possum industry could significantly help with damage control. [Graeme Marshall] . Youre problem-solving always trying to make the best possible job out of what youve got., MAXS TIPS TO GETTING THE BEST POSSUM SKINS. Lot of info that im lookin for there. When the previous owners decided to sell during a tough time for fur in the late 1990s, Heather and Max teamed up to make a go of it. The Auckland Animal ActionGroup believes that if possum furfinds a foothold in the fashion market, it will increase demand for other, often factory-farmed, fur. If theres sentimental value, it makes sense to make something usable from a coat that was just going to sit in the wardrobe and get eaten slowly.. Today the price for a first-grade skin wavers between $12 and $14. With no natural predators, numbers exploded to approximately 70 million in the 1980s. Image reference number: 1/2-110438-F. Here Evan Toshs prediction is being borne out. The animals there are among the smallest in the country, but they have reliably the finest fur.Even possum meat is now considered a resource. Spotlight hunting -- Skinning methods -- Prepartion and drying -- Selling skins -- Grading -- Trends and prospects -- Handy hints -- Glossary -- Appendix 1 : the possum tool -- Appendix 2 : . Words: Lee-Anne Duncan Images: Rachael McKenna & Lee-Anne Duncan. It is ideal for trim, linings and accessories. This is a lovely soft & warm large scarf in four tones of topaz, coral, silver and charcoal. Since none of the possible biocontrol initiatives is close to implementation, the NSSC sees poisons and trapping as the main possum-control methods for the next decade. While it would help solve the Tb problem (which is where most of the money is spent in possum control), it wouldnt kill possums,and so wouldnt address the threat theanimals pose to indigenous flora andfauna. Cystic fibrosis has driven a lot of research into water-and ion-transport processes in the mammalian hindgut, and it has been discovered that possums have a quite different hindgutphysiology from that of placental mammals. Exotic Game Meats, in Whangarei, processes possum meat for human consumption, the primary market being Asia. Tasmania is the only state in Australia that it is legal to harvest possums for commercial purposes. Beautiful masterpieces created using mixed wool types including natural black, curly wool shearling, shorn lambskins and regular long wool. Nick Hancox, communications manager of the Animal Health Board (AHB), says the commonly quoted figure of 70 million was always a back-of-the-envelope figure.In any case, the number of possums is not relevant, he adds. In the worst case scenario, if it becomes more cost efficient, farmers could start factory-farming possums, states the group. In addition to fur we can provide yarn and products for traditional cultural purposes such as sinews and teeth. Then have a close look at the skin to check it for quality. FREE SHIPPING for any orders over $200. Possum densities in the areas under AHB and DoC control are estimated to have fallen from an average 48 possums per ha to 0.30.8 possums per ha. Copyright 2023 Basically Bush. I think i just came across something that might be useful. But if the tanner needs to clean the skin further, or theres any damage that makes their job harder, they may charge more. Microplastic-free Entirely natural, Ecopossum garments are free from microplastics that pollute our waterways, air and soil. Possums have a significant impact on many of New Zealand's natural ecosystems. By 2005, the area the AHB will have under its control will rise to 8.5 million ha (32 per cent of the country), including 2 million ha of public conservation land. US DOLLAR PRICES INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL AIR MAIL DELIVERY!! These are made out of 60 skins and are beautiful, says Heather, but very heavy to lift. Keep warm and comfy naturally! Today, possum skin cloaks remain important to Aboriginal people across the south-east of Australia with new uses and contemporary ways of making. The blades spinning action creates a suction that draws the fur into a catch net capable of holding the fibre of 30 possums. Bag it up and courier it to the tanner as soon as possible. Subscribe to receive exclusive offers and the latest news on our products. Current demand far exceeds the companys ability to procure and process sufficient animals, says Beazley. First, he cuts away the undesirable belly fur (its not strong enough to work with). On the first two its just the pelts, but on the 3rd i managed to get the whole face without too many mistakes i think. })(); We offer a great range of genuine Sheepskin Footwear, Sheepskin Home Decor, and Possum Merino Knitwear for everyone. By comparison, the Department of Conservation is controlling possums on 700,000 ha (9 per cent of the 8 million ha of public conservation land) at a cost of $21 million. A glorious fluffy Possum fur hide could be just the thing for your next project! It dyes well in all colours, and can be bleached. Its all about second skin now, he says. From: NZD $82.00. FREE SHIPPING for any orders over $200. The alternative is poisoning. Excellent quality product at a very competitive price. We hold huge stocks of premium New Zealand made sheepskin products all of which come with a 12 month warranty. It has been said that were it not for the fortuitous presence of Tb in British badgers, the prevalence of the disease in the New Zealand possum population would already have been used against us. . In addition for use on wheelchairs and beds, our medical sheepskin seat pads offer great comfort to anyone on their office chair, car seat or even favorite armchair! Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on trying to control the pests, and that expenditure is unlikely to decrease in the near future. A 12-skin bed footer is 90cm long and 108cm wide and costs roughly $1800. Over 130 years later, the Bowron name is synonymous with some of the world's finest sheepskin products. The place seems more like a working museum than a production facility. Any idea if you can make a coon skin cap from one small hide for a toddler, like 2-3 years old? As a result of possum poisoning and strict controls on the movement of cattle suspected of being infected with Tb, the infection rate in farmed livestock is declining. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Please contact John Kelly. Then place the pelt skin-side up on a fleshing beam and begin fleshing from the face down to the tail. Im not sure if in the one I did the salt was washed out enough, if at all :O I think all i did was shake it out then go right to egging it. Through Classic's unique tanning process, skilled tanners adhering to strict quality control, turn quality raw material into superior handcrafted products made to stringent Wool Mark standards and specifications. The amount of damage they do is.. Hides come in a mix of approx. Dan Dawson118 Crinan St Invercargill9812 New Zealand, dan@animalskintanningservices.co.nz027 281 3026. We process skins ourselves and offer them as individual skins as well as manufactured skin products for purchase. Huitema presented Khan with a handful of possum fur, wondering if he could devise some way of creating a yarn. quality new zealand made sheepskin products*, medical sheepskin underlays/mattress pads, medical wheelchair covers, pads & accessories, Bowron Baby Care/Infant Care lambskin rugs. Even when Max joined 67 years later, it was still a big operation, with at least 10 furriers in the workroom, plus salespeople and showroom staff. He pencils in lines in 1cm increments; any wider and the difference in the hair starts to show on the pelt-side. But production cost is not the only limit to growth of the industry, Beazley says. Today possums occupy nearly 99 percent of the country, according .

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