With the close of North American Fur Auctions’ July fur sale, the 2017 wild fur selling season is in the books. It was a tough one for many trappers, with weak demand from foreign markets resulting in lower fur prices for most items. Oil prices remain low and Russia’s economy continues to struggle. China is still buying fur, but at greatly reduced demand. Many buyers are simply looking for deals on high quality fur, hoping to cash in on a future market uptick. But as market speculators can tell you, holding onto furs over the past 2-3 years hoping for a change in the market hasn’t panned out.
Continued low oil prices and political unrest overseas doesn’t paint a pretty picture for the fur market over the next couple of years, but as we’ve seen before, unexpected events can change things with little notice. For now, trappers would do well to focus on producing furs for the few bright spots in the market (coyote, bobcat and marten) and minimize production of furs that will be difficult to sell. Lowering cost of production on the trapline should be a primary focus as well, though recreation-minded trappers may not put as much consideration into these costs. On the bright side, competition with other trappers will likely be low, and it’s a great time to experiment with new methods and locations on the ‘line, as well as practice fur handling skills.
Here’s a recap of fur prices from NAFA’s July auction:
Beaver continue to disappoint, but on the bright side, NAFA cleared out 100% of the beaver offered. Beaver averaged between $8-13, well below the cost of production. There isn’t much of a premium for the higher quality, prime northern beaver pelts in the current market.
Otter prices have dropped substantially, and sold at 62% for an average of $21.10.
Raccoon cleared at nearly 100%, with some better goods held back, averaging $6.38.
Muskrat prices dropped, and many of the larger rats didn’t sell. 87% sold overall, at an average of $3.18.
Wild Mink sold at 100% for an average of $9.17.
Coyotes remain the bright spot in the market. Lower quality Eastern ‘yotes sold at 61% for a $21.63 average, while the western goods sold at 82% for an average of more than $90! Semi heavy coyotes averaged around $40.
Red fox prices are down, with 100% of the offering selling for averages of $13-17. Very few grey fox sold.
Bobcat prices are down, but high quality western ‘cats still commanded close to $300. Bobcats from other regions ranged widely between $25-88.
Marten prices did okay, with the higher quality Canadian and Alaskan pelts averaging over $75. My Maine marten didn’t do nearly as well. Overall, trappers saw a marten average of just over $60, though only 60% of goods offered sold.
Fisher prices struggled compared to recent years, with a clearance of around 50% at an average price of about $37.
Going Forward
As the last major fur auction of the season, the NAFA July sale adds a level of uncertainty in the fur market going into the 2017 fall trapping season. Some trappers will drop out or scale back their traplines in response to the lower prices. Others, like me, will continue on, building our lines and gaining experience in hopes that the market comes back in future years. With the fur market as volatile as it’s been over the past few years, things can change quickly. As always, follow along at Trapping Today to stay informed and up to date on all things trapping.
As a trapper i think if we just didnt sell are fur to china an russia intill they agreed to a better price they will run out an need what we have an pay what we want
HI im a up incoming fur company been buying from outside the country for a while I’m looking for a in home supplier that I can buy fur pelts from contact (jada5592003@gmail.com) serious buyer
Hello
We will be trapping and snaring wolves this upcoming trapping season – November 2017 through March 2018. Appreciate what price you might pay for a wolf pelt from the Yukon, Canada
Hello. What area or region are you closest to?
Licensed trapper in New Mexico, USA
CONTACT # 1-575-208-8300
Please send a text first, so I don’t screen your call from an unknown number.
I am a trapper in Georgia. I am looking for any buyers interested in coyote, beaver, otter, both red and gray fox and bobcat. Im hoping someone out there knows a buyer in my area, or would take my furs for themselves? Please contact me:
Matt Williams
Ellijay, Ga
(706)581-9911
mattwilliams2424@yahoo.com
How many you looking to buy and of what.
I’m looking for mink and ermine do you have those
Hi I have catching wild red foxes and it hasn’t been skinned yet but it will be within a couple days. We started our fox season out here in the village
what kind of prices do u pay for coyotes
You are right they control we need to control them.
and the only way to drive up the price of fur is to have the u.s. trappers sell there furs to local shops that make finished product out of the furs. never mind out side of u.s. buyers.
This must be why mountain men shows and such tell inflated prices that I’ve never seen trapping with my grandfather.
Im sure NAFA has alot to do with the fur prices. The need to not sale these at this price. There getting paid so they dont give a rats ass. I was told there taking money from china under the table to keep it low. An they lye to us.
Correct they make money by marketing furs
Trappers furs ranchers furs ????????If they make money that’s what it’s all about. We should as trapper put a price on the fur either you sell it at this set price or you buy at that price is trappers stick togather form a group of fur
Marketers just everyone sell through same
Program. FTOA email equipped all we need cell phones. And a few good people to talk to these marketers.
Pat Kelley
While not a trapper I do know a little about markets. If you follow the DeBeers strategy (diamond cartel) they set the price and what you get, you pay and take what you get or you get no diamonds. If you could form at least a regional consortium you control what goes to market quantities and types etc… You create the demand for certain pelts by creating shortages of these types there by controlling market price without the charge of price fixing. I would not sell to China at any price. If these dirt bags buyers want to play dirty you have to beat them at their own game. every one must cooperate and not sell short. What do you think would happen if all of a sudden there were no mink pelts or sable, 0, zilch, nada. What would happen to the price after a couple of months?
I have a pure black fox hide…how much do they go for?
Where can I get a licence to trap in texas?
Your best bet would be to contact your local Texas Parks & Wildlife office.
You can get them online here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/ Resident trapping licenses are 19.00
What does everyone think the mink prices will be this trapping season?
Hey Emily . I’m thinking we’ll be lucky to see $10 mink, but they will probably be a little less.
I wonder if anyone knows if the so called ‘Kojah’ mink that was popular in the early 70’s is still being bred. The kojah mink was a square nosed mink variant that originated in Canada. It has long hair and the male was three times the girth of a typical North American mink. Because of the long hair, mink breeders tried to introduce it as the American counterpart to Russian Sable. But the coats that were produced from this mink were hyper expensive being between 125, 000 and $150,000 way back then. For this reason the experiment failed miserably. It was marketed Under the Emba label . But I would like to buy some pelts if the species is still being bred. Can anyone with knowledge on this please respond. Thanks.
Hi there old trapper from Manitoba. Back in 60s we got 5x the today prices. I feel bad for today’s trapper s I trapped in snow lake country
I hope the younger trappers see the prices from back in the day everyone should see 45 dollar coon before they get to old. I would like to see it again, but doubt it.