This handsome, 19 inch dark cross fox came from Washington as a wild harvest and was taken by muzzleloader on a free range, fair chase hunt that did not employ baits, dogs or body-gripping traps.

For those not in the know a 'cross fox' is a partially melanistic color variant of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) that occurs in about 8-10% of the wild red fox population in the northern USA.

I have deboned and tanned it without hair slip or odor.

The tail has been enhanced with three real turkey feathers - blue slate and black spanish turkey, to be precise. The spanish turkey feather has a lovely greenish sheen in the light, and the pale slate feathers contrast it nicely. The double beading uses real porcupine quill, real snowflake obsidian beads and 14k gold electroplate minibeads. Tipping one bead strand is a large hand-knapped arrowhead of white agate that is wrapped with a bit of 14k gold filled wire (the white agate matches the blue slate feathers almost perfectly!) and finished with a light gloss to shine, seal and protect. The other strand is tipped with a whitened and polished fox tooth - a tooth provided by the same fox that provided the tail. The tooth is dotted with black and gold enamel to compliment the beadwork.

The fur itself is plush and retains an excellent shine with intense colors of black, chocolate, caramel and cream, with just a hint of red here and there.

The tail is topped with a metal snap clip for wearing, hanging or attaching to a purse, backpack, costume, etc.

All sewing and threading is done with waxed sinew.

This pretty fellow sold last month.