Whence the "good" hair on a deer?

[THeBLender]

I've seen over a dozen deer hides in my neighbor's garbage cans during the last two weeks. I've spoken with a few and they say they would more than willingly give me some for tying if I want it.

Which local on the deer's hide is best for tying flies? Does it make a difference buck vs. doe? What qualities make for a patch of "good" deer hair?

I'm also glad pheasant season has started. I've had good faith promises of tail feathers from at least 4 bird hunters. When you don't hunt mammals or birds but have "material" needs, country living rulz!

[jdubya]

both deer and elk that my brother has nailed, I have come to the conclusion that for tying flies, the best deer/elk is that stuff that comes in the plastic bags. For the time and money, I am better served buying a piece of primo tying hide (which is all of $2.50) versus trying to go the "natural" route (no, I don't mean tying naked). Trying to build a Goddard caddis out of crappy hair is such a pain in the arse.

Now that is NOT true for bird skins. I can't think of a bad bird skin I have gotten on the cheap (especially those quail that like to kill themselves on my glass windows). But I have to admit, I usually don't pull wings off road kill either (unless it is an endangered species like an eagle or something: my bald eagle no-hackle caddis pattern is a killer).

Birds must be a superior lineage of animals compared to mammals......

[Crosby]

Have to agreee with JDUBYA- but if you are going to do it- get it from a bow hunter or another early hunt- your hair will be better for tying than a later hunt will be.