Fur pelts command record-high prices, The Star Article John Goddard-Business Reporter Fur prices continue to hit last year’s record-high prices at this season’s first European auctions — good news for Canadian trappers, mink farmers and fur-clothing manufacturers. “The number of customers exceeded all expectations,” the world’s biggest fur auction house Kopenhagen … [Read more...]
Early 2012 Fur Market Report
Two recent fur sales gave us a great indicator of what to expect for fur prices in 2012. On January 7th, Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. held its first fur sale of the year. The sale went extremely well, with high averages for most species. Click here to read the FHA auction report. Here's a recap of the prices: Fur Harvesters Auction, Inc. January 7, 2012 fur sale … [Read more...]
Trapping Today News Roundup: 1/8/2012
With plenty of trapping-related stories in the news lately, I thought I'd take the opportunity to give you a sample of what's out there. You can click on the links below to read these news stories. River Otters Returning to northwest Ohio - For the first time in over 100 years, wildlife officials have confirmed a river otter in Putnam County, Ohio. The recovery and … [Read more...]
Minnesota Ponders Wolf Hunting, Trapping Seasons
After a successful recovery of the gray wolf population in the Great Lakes area, wolves have been removed from the Endangered Species List by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With delisting, management of the wolf population becomes the responsibility of each state's fish and wildlife department. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is considering opening a wolf … [Read more...]
Market for Muskrats Gains Attention
The Wall Street Journal just posted an interesting article on the recent rise in demand and prices for muskrat furs. They took the time to interview several trappers and relay their thoughts on the muskrat market, as well as the fur market in general. The North American muskrat market has been booming, thanks to soaring purchases by Chinese and other newly rich nations that … [Read more...]
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Reviewing Maine’s ITP Application for Trapping and Lynx
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering an application by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for an incidental take permit for Canada lynx. The ITP would provide legal protection for the Department's trapping program and trappers who incidentally capture lynx, which are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. In return, the … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Trappers Play Vital Role
Pennsylvania outdoor writer Ron Tussel recently authored a great article on trapping in the state. Trapping has had some bad press in the past, spurred and funded mostly by anti-fur and animal rights groups. Trapping, in fact, is highly regulated and foot-hold traps must not surpass a jaw width of 6.5 inches in Pennsylvania. Foot-hold traps are designed to restrain an … [Read more...]
ATA Sponsors Fur Handling Clinic
The Alaska Trappers Association recently sponsored a fur handling clinic for trappers in the Fairbanks, AK region. The clinic was aimed at providing valuable information trappers need to properly skin, flesh, stretch and dry pelts that they capture during the trapping season. The all-day clinic was designed to teach trappers how to handle fur from the time it is taken from a … [Read more...]