The long period of depressed fur prices will continue into the 2019 fur selling season. Fur prices have been low for a long time now. The period of low prices fur harvesters have been experiencing over the past few years has lasted longer than most anyone in the fur business can remember. And most fur items will likely continue to struggle throughout this season. There … [Read more...]
2018-2019 Fur Prices: Trapping Today’s Fur Market Forecast
Fur prices for most items are expected to continue their multi-year slump into the 2019 fur selling season. Why are fur prices so low? In short, we're dealing with a combination of poor economies in Russia and China, low oil prices, and oversupply of ranched fur all at the same time. It's the perfect storm. Click here for a more detailed explanation of the low fur prices, … [Read more...]
Trapping Today Podcast #56: Marten/Fisher Line Updates and Listener Questions/Feedback
In this episode I give some updates from my big woods marten and fisher trapline. I go over a number of topics we'll be discussing in future podcast episodes. I then read some listener emails and answer a couple of questions. I also discuss my Long Distance Call predator call lure. I always love to hear feedback from you guys, please feel free to shoot me an email at … [Read more...]
Trapping Today Podcast #55: A Clean Fur Shed, and Hunters of the Northern Forest
In this episode I talk about trying to stay legal with a complex set of trapping regulations. I mention a cleanup in the fur shed in preparation for the fur handling season. I also read another excerpt from "Hunters of the Northern Forest". One of the more interesting parts of this reading is the high value trappers earned from a few months' work on the line. Adjusted for … [Read more...]
Trapping Today Podcast #54: Fur Price Forecast, and Marten Trapping in the Snow
In this episode, I go over the latest from my marten line, including a painful trapline check in deep, wet snow. I provide a fur market forecast, with updates from North American Fur Auctions and Fur Harvesters Auction, and include my fur price predictions by species. Enjoy! Sign up for the Kaatz Bros. newsletter here NAFA Fur Market Forecast FHA Fur Market … [Read more...]
Thoughts from a Vermont Trapline
As trappers, we often have the privilege of spending time in the footsteps of our ancestors, seeing the mark they have made on the forests and fields many decades ago. Fellow trapper Justin Leavitt put together some thoughts while setting up his trapline in Vermont. I thought you guys would enjoy, so he kindly agreed to share it with you. Thanks Justin! Today I drove out … [Read more...]
Trapping Today Podcast #53: Updates from the Line, and Hunters of the Northern Forest
In this episode, I'm getting ready and excited to get back out on the trapline! I give an update on the line and plans moving forward. I talk a little about topics we'll discuss in future episodes, and read an excerpt from Richard K. Nelson's "Hunters of the Northern Forest", a book about native trappers from Chalkyitsik, Alaska in the 1970's. Enjoy! Click here to buy a … [Read more...]
Trapping Today Podcast #52: The Snowmobile Marten Line
In this episode I talk about our January in November here in northern Maine, and discuss my transition to running the trapline on snowmobile! I also mention Dave Vander Meer's book, "Call of the Wilderness". Click here to find a copy of the book. Enjoy! … [Read more...]