North American Fur Auctions held their first major fur sale of the year during the last week of February. This auction is typically an indicator of the state of the fur market and sets the tone for the rest of the fur sale season, though an increasingly unstable fur market has made future predictions of fur prices near impossible. Here's a recap: Coyotes did well, with … [Read more...]
Antique Trap Collector Guides
Do you collect, or have an interest in antique animal traps? If so, you might want to take a look at Robert Vance's antique trap price guides. Vance is an expert on antique traps and he has put together 15 different books containing information and prices of old collectible traps. Click here to find Vance's trap price guides at Hutzel Traps. … [Read more...]
Arkansas Fur Auction Results
The Arkansas Trappers Association held a fur auction on February 13, 2014. Below are some highlights from the auction: Beaver – $14.03 average, with 472 sold. Wild Mink – $19.15 average, with 17 sold. Red Fox – $37.82 average, with 25 sold. Gray Fox - $21.88 average, with 153 sold. Raccoon – $7.60 average, with 1856 sold. Coyote – $17.01 average, with 106 … [Read more...]
Walter A. Gibbs: Trapper, Inventor, Entrepeneur
The muskrat fur trade was big business in the early 1900's, and Walter A. Gibbs of Dorchester County, Maryland used ambition and ingenuity to build a legacy in the trapping industry as a result. Not only did he catch thousands of muskrats for the fur market, he also developed innovative traps and techniques and pioneered the trade in live muskrats. W.A. Gibbs was a railroad … [Read more...]
February 2014 State Fur Auction Results – Oklahoma, Utah
Oklahoma Fur Auction Results The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance recently held their 2014 fur action. Below are some highlights from the February 1st auction: Beaver – $6.18 average, with 66 sold. Wild Mink – $13.00 average, with 6 sold. Red Fox – $23.19 average, with 8 sold. Gray Fox - $23.78 average, with 23 sold. Raccoon – $6.19 average, with 958 sold. Coyote … [Read more...]
The Flag Tape Muskrat Set
The other day I was watching a Youtube video on muskrat trapping and saw a set I'd never seen before. The young trapper in the video made a baited set with a 110 conibear, but it wasn't bait he used on the trigger - it was a piece of flagging tape. The tape works as a visual attractor and its bright color resembles some sort of food under the water. I found it hard to … [Read more...]
Kansas FHA January 2014 Fur Auction
Kansas Fur Auction Results The Kansas Fur Harvesters Association held a fur action on January 18, 2014. Below are some highlights. Beaver – $11.83 average, with 3 sold. Wild Mink – $16.50 average, with 2 sold. Red Fox – $37.75 average, with 2 sold. Raccoon – $13.23 average, with 571 sold. Badger - $10.31 average, with 8 sold. Coyote – $19.51 average, with 133 … [Read more...]
Science of Trapping
Elmer Harry Kreps wrote "Science of Trapping" in 1909. It's a bit dated, but there's some interesting information in there. It's always fun to read the old trapping books and see how things have changed over the years. Oh yeah, and since the copyright has expired, the book is available to read for free! Click here to read "Science of Trapping". … [Read more...]