I have a leopard skin that I shot in Africa two years ago. I was going to make it into a full body mount, but wife has finally put her foot down and said, no more animals. My question, is, can I legally sell this skin. It has been tanned and I have the CITES permit. Thanx for any info you may have.

You "should" be able to sell ONLY withn your state borders to a Resident of that state and they can prove it and you can verify it.
Unless your state laws prohibit sales of leopard skins or parts. Check with your state wildlife office.
Check with USFW about selling within your state just to be sure
Selling across or moving it across state lines for monetarty gain will violate the Lacy Act and you'll be commiting a felony. Not good, big fines , never own a firearm again......

If your in Michigan, Let's talk ,if not good luck.

Thanx, for the info, that is invaluable. Sorry, live in Oregon, not Michigan.

I live in MI. What would you be asking for it?

TSEMP, you can't buy it if you live in Michigan unless you want to commit a FELONY, both you and the seller.
The only CHANCE he has to sell it is to a RESIDENT OF OREGON, and then that person may never sell it across the state line.
He may move it across but only with to a new Permanent Residence and it must stay in their possesion after that. They Can't ever sell after that, even to a resident of the new state. That would be crossing state lines for a sale even tho you changed your residence.
The laws are very interpretive, as many are, and I'm no Lawyer , this is what I have been told by USFW after looking into it many many times.

You should be able to donate the skin to a non-profit situation; ie museum, etc. This can be done inter-state and while you would not recieve direct monetary compensation, you do get the tax deduction for the real value. If your research finds some way to sell the hide, I would be interested.

Get rid of some other mount in the house and then get the leopard life-sized mount done. No "more" animals than before so the wife should be happy, problem solved

I believe that Artistry is correct, but will contact the appropriate parties tomorrow and see if I can get some statutes. If so, I will post them on this site.

quote:

laws prohibit sales

If you want to 'give' it away I'll take it off your hands.
a. you haven't sold it therefore no financial gain
b. you'd be within the Lacey Act
c. your wife would be happy

Hey, I'm just trying to help a fellow hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by Grafton:
Get rid of some other mount in the house and then get the leopard life-sized mount done. No "more" animals than before so the wife should be happy, problem solved

+1 or better yet, just mount it and don't tell her. If she notices, say it was at the taxidermist's when the "ban" came into effect. Seems like such a shame to have to sell a leopard.

I'm not calling anyone a liar but....can someone show me exactly where in the Lacey Act it says I cannot sell property legally acquired and legally import permitted by the same government that is now enacting the prohibiton?

I realize the USFWS import forms say that trophies are "being imported only for my personal use (i.e., not for sale, transfer, donation, or exchange that is reasonably likely to result in economic use, gain, or benefit)"....but isn't there a pretty damned big difference between something being imported FOR sale and something being sold years later AFTER importation. Any lawyer or judge who cant figure out that guided hunting for leopard to commercially gain from their skin sale in the US would be a pretty damned unprofitable business.

If you find out it is OK to sell based on federal laws I would also check into your state laws. I have heard here in GA that it is illegal to sell any of your trophies, do not know if it is true or not just what I heard.

I would also vote for getting rid of something else and replacing it a leopard mount. The leopard would be a terrible thing to lose.

I spoke with someone here in the Oregon office and they told me that you can't sell the skin. I could give it to someone, but not sell it. So I guess that answers that question.

quote:

Originally posted by Schrodinger's Cat:
I spoke with someone here in the Oregon office and they told me that you can't sell the skin. I could give it to someone, but not sell it. So I guess that answers that question.

Why can't you "give" someone the skin but have them pay you back for tanning at about $1000?

1) Don't sell it. Make it a long term loan to someone with $2000 to cover shipping and handling.

2) Cash = Freedom and anonymity!

3) Tell the wife to stick it and mount the thing. It's one of the big five for Christ's sake and further...what's she gonna do, divorce you over taxidermy?

4) Make the thing into a rug so it takes up less space.

This post is pathetic and I am ashamed for you that you would even consider selling something as sacered as a leopard skin...I would rather see you burn it. Didn't the experience mean anything to you? My leopard hunt was one of the most moving experiences of my entire life and my mount is priceless to me.

Your wife "finally put her foot down"....please tell me you are joking....you must live a tough life my friend...man up for Christ's sake!

Sorry for the rant (I'm sure that you are a nice guy) but this really pissed me off!

Wolfgar, I am pleased that you feel that away about your Leopard skin. That is a good thing, but we are all different. And I have a Cape Buff mount, that I absolutely love. Don't think that I have seen anything much prettier, but I have found that with time and age, the hunt is the thing for me. I used to be kind of like you and I don't have problems with that, but I have got so many heads and skins and frankly, I am tired of paying all of the fees to get them back, it has kind of taken some of the enjoyment out of some of my later trophies.

Sorry for attacking you like that. Everyone has their own reasons for what they do and I respect yours.

My leopard hunt was a lifelong dream of mine, so I guess it's different for me.

Glad it's not all about the wife!

Take Care