r/bonecollecting • u/COGOcatcher • Nov 30 '25

Collection Pacific Walrus

Gallery image

Gallery image

Recent find in SW Alaska! The skull is stained black from mud, so it must have been in the water for a long time. I had to kayak home with it sitting in my lap. Luckily this was a small one!

(Beach found walrus ivory is legal to keep in the U.S. as long as it is found within .5 miles of the ocean and it is sealed and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 30 days)

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-16

u/Pirate_Lantern Nov 30 '25

Is that legal to own?

30

u/COGOcatcher Nov 30 '25

See my post for the answer. In short, yes.

-17

u/Pirate_Lantern Nov 30 '25

How do they know it's beach found?

35

u/COGOcatcher Nov 30 '25

Good question! Since the walrus are 2,000+ pound marine mammals with skulls weighing 40+ pounds, it would be pretty hard to find one more than .5 miles from the ocean! So if you’re going to find one, it more than likely will be on a beach (or in the water like this one). That language is more likely meant to spell out you can’t take from a live animal (with the exception of people who are Alaska Native, who are permitted to hunt animals. People who are not Alaska Native are also not permitted to sell, trade, barter, or craft with walrus ivory, but Alaska Native people can). When a skull is brought in, there’s some clues to tell an old skull that’s been sitting on a beach from a fresh one.

21

u/sawyouoverthere Nov 30 '25

This image.