Bearskins

[Hopkirk]

Surely it's time we stopped putting dead animals on our soldiers heads.

[sandyRoe]

Agree. Too many Canadian bears shot unnecessarily.

[Hopkirk]

I wonder if vegan soldiers get the choice. Sikhs are excused.

[aelmpvw]

the last two paragraphs of this link are promising . . .
https://www.forces.net/technology/uniform/bearskin-everything-you-need-know

[sandyRoe]

Wouldn't a vegan have too much reverence for life to be a soldier?

[Hopkirk]

I don't suppose the quartermaster would have much sympathy when they complained about the rations.

[tiggerblue10]

I wish they would too. If faux fur can be produced then why not faux bearskin?

[pastafreak]

It was militant vegans who attempted to stop proceedings this morning. I'm surprised beardskins are still used...how often are new ones needed I wonder.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10878109/Royal-security-alert-police-tackle-four-men-floor-break-barriers-at.html

[Prudie]

Even if we stopped using it that would have no impact on the Canadian cull of black bears, that's not why they are killed.

[anneasquith]

Not for a second did I think the bearskins were real !!

[Peter Pedant]

they are all obviously polyester for chrissakes
jesus

[anneasquith]

I hope you are right Peter .

[gness]

He's wrong, Anne.

[sandyRoe]

Sadly, PP is wrong on this occasion.
They're made from the pelts of Canadian bears.

[Vagus]

As Prudie says, the bears are culled anyway, a couple of thousand of them each year, only 100 are used for the bearskins used here by the military.

[Prudie]

Exactly vagus. I can understand people might find it distasteful but 100 a year from 1000s deliberately culled.,Perhaps thats a better starting place for any campaign.

[burlyshirley]

I agree with the OP 100%. No need for real animal skin in this day and age.

[tiggerblue10]

If they can catch them and cull them, is it not possible to just catch and neuter them instead?

[Canary42]

This thread on animal headgear reminds me of the tale of when Prince Charles turned up at the ceremony to confer the "Royal" title on a west country town wearing a fox fur round his head. His Mother asked him why and he replied that his father had told him too.

"I don't remember that", the Duke remonstrated.

"Yes Pater, you must remember" said Charles, "It was when Mater came home and said,"We're off to Wootton Bassett next week", and you turned to me and said,"Wear the fox hat".