A matter of "respect".
Recently someone said my use of a real deer tail was disrespectful. When one of our bucks dies he is buried with his rack, some would cut it off and bury him naked, I don't, I feel it is disrespectful to his honor. When we find "shed" antlers we save them, as a sign of respect and remembrance. I have a tuft of Lexx's fur in my "medicine bag", I save it as a remembrance, I also wear a cross fashioned out of one of his shed antler flats, a big sign of respect and honor.
The tail in question was purchased from a Native American who blessed the tail to be a memorial to the deer who sacrificed his life so the Indian could survive, not a random killing or culling, the deer was used and honored in a sacred ceremony, and that's why I bought it. In my travels I have seen "tails" used often as ritual items and symbols of a person's Totem. Especially the White Tail Deer, who's famous for his beautiful tail.
I don't think it is dishonor or disrespect to use the tail, it gives the deer's spirit a chance to live again, in a different way, not thrown away or dismembered for making crafts, the tail was meticulously treated and fashioned, with respect in mind, that this was his remaining symbol of his existence.
Perhaps a fursuit isn't the venue for paying respect for a certain deer's life, but we who honor certain animals and their icons should be able to express themselves as they see fit, if questioned about the tail I would tell the story of the deer who once wore it, honoring him, reviving his memory, and then I expect reasonable people will accept the reason.
We have lost our best friends here, killed because of their racks, one was eaten, three were mounted. In the case of poaching it is disrespectful, but in the case of a true honorable hunter, who accepts the deer's sacrifice, then honors him with a mount, I won't deny the act, a hunter who kills without honor is scum in my book, and merely a murderer.
Lexx, Houdini, Benny, and Gazelle, and don't forget Kayless (who broke a leg and was later put to sleep) who was also a victim, are remembered by photos, artifacts, and memories of their existence, I miss them all dearly, they were my friends, and anyone who dares say I am disrespectful, in any way, doesn't know me, and my beliefs.
I hope this clears things up, if not?...well too bad.
The tail in question was purchased from a Native American who blessed the tail to be a memorial to the deer who sacrificed his life so the Indian could survive, not a random killing or culling, the deer was used and honored in a sacred ceremony, and that's why I bought it. In my travels I have seen "tails" used often as ritual items and symbols of a person's Totem. Especially the White Tail Deer, who's famous for his beautiful tail.
I don't think it is dishonor or disrespect to use the tail, it gives the deer's spirit a chance to live again, in a different way, not thrown away or dismembered for making crafts, the tail was meticulously treated and fashioned, with respect in mind, that this was his remaining symbol of his existence.
Perhaps a fursuit isn't the venue for paying respect for a certain deer's life, but we who honor certain animals and their icons should be able to express themselves as they see fit, if questioned about the tail I would tell the story of the deer who once wore it, honoring him, reviving his memory, and then I expect reasonable people will accept the reason.
We have lost our best friends here, killed because of their racks, one was eaten, three were mounted. In the case of poaching it is disrespectful, but in the case of a true honorable hunter, who accepts the deer's sacrifice, then honors him with a mount, I won't deny the act, a hunter who kills without honor is scum in my book, and merely a murderer.
Lexx, Houdini, Benny, and Gazelle, and don't forget Kayless (who broke a leg and was later put to sleep) who was also a victim, are remembered by photos, artifacts, and memories of their existence, I miss them all dearly, they were my friends, and anyone who dares say I am disrespectful, in any way, doesn't know me, and my beliefs.
I hope this clears things up, if not?...well too bad.