While others cringe at the thought of handling the strong-smelling, striped critter that haunts most traplines, Kansan Mick Meyer welcomes the chore. Mick is an recently retired, avid trapper who has already handled about 175 skunks this season! Read the full story here. … [Read more...]
Why Trapping and Hunting are Necessary
In an age where humans and animals come into conflict more than ever before, wildlife management through responsible, regulated trapping and hunting is invaluable. Read the full article here. … [Read more...]
Yup, Southerners Sure Do Eat Raccoons!
A recent AP article, "What's For Dinner? How About Raccoon?", highlights the fact that eating raccoons is a large part of the culture and tradition of many people in the southern U.S. And it isn't just about habit, apparently. Those who eat it regularly say that 'coon meat is 'just plain good'! There are a number of benefits to a culture that embraces eating natural, wild … [Read more...]
Montana’s January Fur Auction Slow, but Things Should Pick Up
Local fur auction results appear to following an overall downward trend in the fur market realized in the NAFA and Fur Harvesters auctions earlier this month. The Montana Trappers Association held the first Western States Fur Auction in Columbus, MT last Sunday, and a lot of fur was difficult to sell. In fact, a lot of fur never made it to the auction. Most trappers appeared … [Read more...]
Trapping and Wildlife Management in Kentucky
Hayley Lynch recently wrote a great article printed in the Bowling Green Daily News, focusing on the role of trapping in wildlife management in the state of Kentucky. She interviewed personnel from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and revealed some interesting information about their role in promoting trapping as a wildlife management tool. “Trapping is … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: FHA January Sale Results
Results are in from the January 9, 2009 sale from Fur Harvesters Auction, Inc. Prices and sale rates were fairly low, but considering this week's NAFA sale results, the FHA auction was by no means a disaster. Since FHA offers a number of rare and unique furs from northern North America (wolverine, wolf, arctic fox, etc.), which are almost always in demand, they are probably in … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: NAFA January Sale Dismal
Results are in from yesterday's NAFA auction, the first major fur auction of the year, and an important indicator of future market conditions. Overall, prices were low and only the best items sold. Most sections of fur did not sell anywhere near 100%, and NAFA held on to a lot of fur in hopes of getting better prices for it in February's auction. Four species were offered … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: Gloomy Outlook Ahead of Major Auction Dates
The latest forecast in the fur market doesn't look good. A Vancouver Sun article describes the recent drop in fur sales with a quote from North American Fur Auctions' vice president Dave Bewick: "The wheels fell off in September," Bewick said in an interview. "And nobody's really bought any fur from us, nobody's really inquired about fur and nobody really knows what fur is … [Read more...]