Thread: Ivory

"Feel Good" laws like these that don't do anything to stop the problem but make people feel good are quite easy to get passed...

Most "non-hunters" are not even aware of what a cull hunt is or the balances that must be figured to keep herds alive and healthy...

That is just the legal side of the trade,,,

Some people are against any use of any animals, period...

Why do we need MORE laws anyways, why not enforce what laws are already in place?I also hate it for the American business's who's major income is from trading in ivory like Boone Trading Company.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Why do we need MORE laws anyways, why not enforce what laws are already in place?I also hate it for the American business's who's major income is from trading in ivory like Boone Trading Company.

Talked with them just a few hrs ago,great people.

I'm sure these new laws will stop the slaughter of the poor elephants. Just look at how the drug laws have stopped drug use. Oh wait . . .

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

What people have to realize is that two countrys,China and Japan are licenced to leagally buy all the Ivory they want whatever the source.
No mindset can be changed with these buyers.
Africa sells millions of lbs of Ivory to these nations,sure they may burn a ton for PR, makes no diff, the slaughter will continue.
It has been Proposed to ban the sale of mammoth Ivory,Why??

You are correct again so I can't for one point argue with you especially the mammoth material. I also think the destruction of historic art is wrong and preservation of history is essential. That's a reason I personally would keep the billiard ball as it is and not repurpose it for our own vanity.

The only real argument I can make for no new use/sale of ivory old or new is that hopefully the perception worldwide that it is OK can change before the elephants and other ivory bearing animals are extinct FOREVER. Is this realistic? Probably not but I don't feel any loss whatever for my tiny part in trying.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

"Feel Good" laws like these that don't do anything to stop the problem but make people feel good are quite easy to get passed...

Most "non-hunters" are not even aware of what a cull hunt is or the balances that must be figured to keep herds alive and healthy...

That is just the legal side of the trade,,,

Some people are against any use of any animals, period...

You have for some reason changed the subject totally. No one in this thread anyway has said anything about hunting and use of animals for food, clothing and shelter. My shearling coat has probably saved my life this winter and I will enjoy my meatloaf this evening. If it were venison stew from my hunt then great too. I argued FOR that point and made this distinction specifically in my first post. Still, I don't think you would go out and kill several rare snow leopards to give your wife a coat to wear for Valentines day. There is a distinction where terrorists might be slaughtering thousands of elephants to finance their actions.

What in your opinion WILL solve the problem and should we just sit back and do nothing?

And with that my opinion I hope is clear and I do respect every other opinion I have seen here since on one seems to be for using illegal ivory so I will withdraw from further discussion. Thanks to all for allowing a civil interaction.

I don't buy ivory products for two reasons. There is a chance I could wind up with illegal ivory and even a slight chance is enough to turn me away. Also, any ivory purchase increases total demand for ivory; raising prices and encouraging poaching.

I don't expect my actions to make a huge difference in a practical sense. It is what I feel is the appropriate ethical behavior.

Michael

Hopefully guys who use and sell small amounts and stay under the radar will be okay, but you never know who's looking at some of those ebay ads (and who knows, maybe even our classifieds?). When the Feds do decide to crack down, it can get scary. Remember the raid on Gibson a few years ago regarding some disputed ebony?

Originally Posted by GC7

The only real argument I can make for no new use/sale of ivory old or new is that hopefully the perception worldwide that it is OK can change before the elephants and other ivory bearing animals are extinct FOREVER. Is this realistic? Probably not but I don't feel any loss whatever for my tiny part in trying.

Your desire to change a bad situation is commendable. However, it has been shown through so many examples that making something illegal has little effect on stopping it and actually increases the the profit margin. Criminal activity is stimulated by the large gains. The only result is more prosecutions and more crimes. Prohibition caused more harm than the alcohol itself and never stopped it's use. Laws are good for the state. It is job security.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I've never worked with hippo is why I ask.

I've got an RW scaled razor and Robert told me they wear out bandsaw blades pretty quick. Tough stuff he said.