Note: This is an earlier fur market report.
Click Here to see the 2015-16 Fur Market Update.
It’s that time of year again. Days are getting shorter, the weather is cooling and trappers are preparing to take to the field and catch some fur. As always, questions about this year’s fur market and prices abound. Here’s what we can gather about the market and what trappers might expect this season.
Last year’s slump
At the end of last year’s fur selling season, most trappers were left disappointed with their fur checks. Here’s a quote from North American Fur Auctions:
The selling season we have just experienced has been one of the most challenging in a long time, primarily due to one of the warmest winters on record in China, Russia and Europe. The warm temperatures had an extremely negative affect on retail sales, with many retailers reporting clearances of 50% or below.
In general, it was a bad season for fur, but not all items did terrible. Among the worst performing were beaver, raccoon and mink. These markets were affected by the huge hit in the ranch mink market.
From NAFA:
…ranch mink prices declined up to 70% from the record levels established the previous season.
Last year’s wild fur prices declined 30-70%, depending on the article. As the season progressed and mink prices continued to decline, the challenge to maintain wild fur prices became more difficult. As a result of a lack of confidence, price levels and clearances were mostly lower in the May sale compared to the February sale. Generally, the longer haired, trimming goods performed well, with good clearances and satisfactory prices, while the short haired varieties or flatter sections that compete with a lower priced ranch mink, suffered in price and clearance.
It appears that mink prices have now stabilized at low levels. Here’s from Groenewold Fur and Wool:
Ranch mink have stabilized at very low prices and are now being used as a commodity for investment. They are being introduced in a great percentage of garments this coming season.
These low mink prices may impact muskrat prices as well, which have done very well in recent years.
The cheap mink prices are beginning to affect muskrat demand and prices. The muskrat plate manufacturers are now finding serious competition due to the availability of cheap mink. Muskrat still seems to have a demand, but with a big ‘reality check’ from ranch mink.
Last year’s fur price levels
All things being equal, most experts are expecting last year’s price levels to continue into the next fur selling season. What does this mean specifically? Let’s take a look at some of last season’s most recent auctions.
Fur Harvesters Auction June 2014 Sale
- Beaver – $6.89-15.79
- Wild Mink – $10.75 (most unsold)
- Otter – $31.74
- Muskrat – $9.05
- Fisher – $54.78
- Red Fox – $22.66
- Marten – mainly unsold
- Raccoon – mainly unsold
- Coyote – $35.29-84.77 (many unsold)
The FHA results mirrored the same market sentiment as the earlier NAFA sales. However, the latest NAFA auction in September showed more promise, with many of the earlier unsold items selling at improved prices.
North American Fur Auctions September 2014 Fur Sale
- Muskrat – $7.45
- Fisher – $74.57
- Marten – $49.92
- Beaver – $12.42-14.22 (many unsold)
- Otter – $55.40 (many unsold)
- Raccoon – $13.65
- Coyote – $23.36-72.34
- Red Fox – $44.55
So, all that being said, what can we expect this coming season?
Fur Market Forecast by Species
The Low Points
Beaver – Expect very poor prices for beaver. Early and lower quality skins will likely not even sell. Until demand improves and excess inventory in overseas markets clears, trapping beaver will likely be a losing proposition.
Raccoon – Coon prices will be difficult to predict, but will likely be very low. Again, low quality, unprime skins will likely not sell at all.
Mink – Expect extremely low prices, primarily driven by the depressed ranch mink market.
Otter – Prices should remain somewhat stable at low levels.
Bright Spots
Coyote – The market for trim goods has remained strong relative to other fur items, and coyote has continued to sell well. Prices should continue at strong levels.
Red Fox – There is less certainty in the red fox market, which has seen some recent highs. This seems to be a trendy item. With cheap mink prices, buyers may see mink as a relative bargain and stop buying fox. Still, the red fox market might just hold up.
Muskrat – Despite the low mink and beaver prices, muskrat has continued to do well. Prices may drop some, but we are not likely to see the $2-3 muskrat anytime soon.
Marten and Fisher – Despite somewhat fickle demand, these are specialty items that have held up okay in the low market. They should still be worth trapping this season.
What’s the message to trappers?
Some trappers target the same species with the same effort year after year, regardless of market conditions. Trapping more of a hobby for these folks, and prices don’t affect them as much. Others gauge the level of effort and species they will target based on the market. These folks might consider the following suggestions:
Don’t target beaver this year unless you can easily catch high quality, prime pelts with minimal effort.
Raccoon trapping will be a gamble. Not sure I’d take the risk, particularly with low quality skins.
Muskrat should still be well worth targeting. The minimal effort required makes a $7-10 rat a desirable item for trappers.
If you can, focus effort on dryland canine trapping. Coyote prices should continue to hold up, and red fox should do okay too. The same goes for marten and fisher trapping.
Above all else, get out and enjoy yourself on the trapline! Remember, the fur market can change drastically overnight, so stay tuned for updates throughout the season.
Thank You so much for the update, I was hoping for better news,but great to hear the report. My grandson and I will still be out their and make memories.
Excellent information. Clear, concise and to the point with very good advice…
Unfortunately here in Ontario as most know, we have extremely high beaver mandatory quotas coupled with quota’s that were set mostly by hook or by crook or based on previous trapping data. There has probably not been a trapline beaver survey done by the OMNR(F) that most of the current technicians or biologists have never participated in one…
The reason, no funding?!?
I would love to have a survey done of my line as I feel that the quota is probably 30 to 50 percentage too high and I hear similar complaints for a number of other trappers. Do not misunderstand my intentions. I love beaver trapping!!!
So, in light of the poor market conditions and the lack of scientific data to confirm quota’s I would hope that the OMNR(F)cancel the mandatory beaver quota until proper trapline surveys can be done and market conditions improve…
Trapping beaver today does nothing for the glut of beaver pelts going to market here in Ontario…
Thanks for the update just hoping for prices go back up pretty soon love to trap my granddad taught me when I was little now I’m teaching my boys and nephews
Good information. Will still be out on the trapline just have to be more selective on what to target.
Just found your site for the first time.
Probably a dumb question but why no bobcat prices??
Thanks,
S.Allen
Hi Steve,
Excellent question. I forgot to include bobcat, sorry! It doesn’t seem like there will be much movement in the bobcat market. At the last NAFA sale, Western cats were averaging a little over $300, with Eastern goods going for around $90. It appears that there will still be good demand for cats, but at price levels that have been dragged down by the rest of the fur market. Whether we’ll see the $500+ average on good spotted-bellied Western cats remains to be seen.
Thanks for reading!
Would Minnesota be considered a western or eastern state
Minnesota bobcat would be considered Eastern
What about an albino jack rabbit
Thanks so much for the update
Thanks for the update!
thanks for the fur price info good to know how much they r worth traped most of my life an seen fur prices drop evey year but still go out to the trapline every year.
Good to find an accurate online report. I’ve trapped every year since 1978 and always made money by focusing on market demand. When the fair weather trappers fade, supply is limited and prices go up but with weak world economies more people stay trapping produce more fur and less demand, until the cost of trapping exceeds returns and many trappers quit producing, supply will fall and prices will raise again. These trends are magnified by weak world leadership and poor fiscal accountability.
Thanks for the forecast
thanks for the insights. I chase mostly Yotes and some fox so not all bad news. Now if the governor of WV would just put the $50 bounty back on Yotes I’d be happy.
I have trapped for 30 plus years some years are good some bad.One year I had all my low end fur tanned and made into hats which sold well.In Ontario we have to fill a quota so I am going to be out there anyway may as well trap as usual.vacuum pack the low end fur in the freezer for next year and sell the high end stuff.
Hey Im from nebraska how will the coon market be for nebraska coons?
Iv heard 10 – 15 dollars
Thats one of the fun aspects about trapping, you never know what the fur market will do. Its like the stock market, it rises and falls at the whims of who knows what. It may be poor now, but like Rick said, as trappers quit trapping and supply tightens, demand and prices will rise. Like everything else its cyclical and those who are in for the long haul will see the benefits when prices come back up. Nice post, good coverage of the markets
if I wanted to hold on to my fur to c if the value goes up, my ? is 1.how long can you keep skinned fur in the freezer?
2.how long can stretched dried furs be kept in the freezer and whats the best way to di it?
Why do you not list bobcat prices?
Im from iowa and was wondering coon prices for this year.
What will ohio average coon be?
thanks for the update, i was hoping that the coons would be better this year but it looks like its time to focus on the coyote and fox for awhile, maybe even some rats as well
I had a cat in the freezer for two years. I soaked it in water put it in a vacuume zip lock and when I thawed it it looked like the day I put it in two years earlier. The trick is to not let any air exposure to it.
Let me clarify. It wasn’t a whole cat just the hide. LOL
thanks for the update, really wish the prices weren’t so low. Why don’t you do bobcat prices?
Read closer. Bobcat prices are just above this post.
Good website very helpful
Any projection on castoreum?
I see several people requesting bobcat forecast, what about wolverine?
Anyone know what to expect for tanning costs of all furbearers. Im a hobbyist trapper and would like to get a few pelts tanned and dont know what is or isnt a fair price. Also any advice on where to get this done would be great. Wisconsin Trapper.
I brought a badger in to a taxidermist last fall and he charged $80 to skin and tan it so it could be mounted later on.
That’s in southern MN.
check moyles in idaho. they are very reasonable.
I?M FROM ark.wonder what coon prices will be this year
Was wondering about bobcat prices I am in missouri
A fur buyer from Downing, Missouri. Ruth Enterprise 816-379-2391. His prices are really poor. His bobcat price 45.00
1 st day of checking got two smiles and a coon claw. The opossums will make decent bait for k9 in a week. Lol
take advantage of the low prices of the pelts by picking up some of the used traps of the fly by nights that thought they could make a quick buck.
I picked up 60 traps for 100 bucks at the end of last seson. tell the fur buyer that you deal with to keep an eye out for deals for you. If they been doing it long they know getting you more traps nets them more fur. win win and hope the fur price goes back up.
Why no possum prices
Again the Fur prices are in the low’s, I’ve been trapping for 64 years and some of todays prices remind me of 60’s and early 70’s. It seems we start off early in the year with the market looking good ,each month we get closer to the opening of the season the fur market start’s to have trouble with demand of certain fur.With all the buyers we have today ,I would think there would be more demand.
Wisconsin trapper here what is groenwald paying for rats this year havent sold yet want to know the average price and on coon and mink also thanks
any chance you have an idea about gray fox prices
Any idea of prices for oppossum, raccoon, otter, coyote and beaver not tanned in KS?
Glad to hear coyotes are staying fairly stable and hope the whole market will make a good come back
Price for alaska lynx?
I just found this site. I live and trap in the Adirondack Mountain’s where trapping is hard,but I love it. Just got back into it after 24 years of not trapping do to other duties I had to tend to. I really appreciate you fur prices and all that you have done for this sport.
thank you very much
Thanks Duane, I really appreciate your comments and support! Hope you continue to follow the site. You can enter your email address in the Subscribe section to receive periodic email updates from Trapping Today. Good trapping!
In read you comment on fur prices I see you put western and eastern. I live in Alabama due fall in the eastern prices. I have found your site. I have start back trapping and have may grandson trapping with me and he is a trip when we catch like coyotes and beaver and I love it. Thank for the up date on prices.
do not sell
Hi i am from milescity mt. I am loaded with coons i have about 3 dozen of coon . My fur buyer is a hit and miss and prices is always iffy now i have have this sight to base price from . If i can ever get a hold of my fur buyer
What do u guys normally base your prices off
sold today long story short had 15 coon and only sold 12 for 2 bucks a piece nice big prime coon had 20 rats and sold all for 2.50 in the round second time iv been ripped off by shane of rock creek fur never selling to him again id rather make the 3 hour drive to peterson in ramona sd he gave me 6 bucks a coon a week ago!
Kind of new to fur trading and was wondering because we have a bunch jack rabbits and is there a market for their skins?
Hey Chris,
No market for jack rabbits, as far as I know. If anyone knows otherwise, please feel free to add your comment here.
I dont believe that there is a market for rabbits . Last i herd because the hide is to fragile and it a pain to flesh . If there’s something fill me in . Never had hands on with them butt that’s what i was told
thanks for the information i got three out of ten skinned and you are right they are tough to skin. but it is like i had a guy told when skinning a skunk you have to do it carefully.
Lol ya i no all about skinning stinky skunks it seams last year evry other trap had a skunk butt being a good trappers you use all you get so i kined all 23 of them and sold them to a guy for 3 dollars each grrrrr. Took the essence from the gland. To sale also !! Im still.sitting on them i have close to 20oz of the stuff no one i found buys it .
Maybe us trappers sould think of going on strike for a few years instead of giving are furs away for nothing and just saying we are trapping for fun. It is dangerous work we do and high gas prices don’t help we have top notch fur and work hard. Who esle would work for these prices.
THANK YO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND INFO. TRAPPING IN UPSTATE NY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS. YES ITS GREAT TO GET TOP $ FOR OUR FUR, BUT THE GREATEST PART IS BEING OUT THERE. THANK YOU AGAIN
Still just nice ta get out with my grandson.
i live in central texas were can i sell my raw furs and have you heard of the priceing for my area.thanks
Is there anyway you chaps from the south could ship to NAFA??? Prices seem to be a tad better??? Check out the NAFA website for shipping schedule, routes and of course watch the up coming sale results?!?
Thanks for the update. I’ll be out on the line no matter what the prices are this year! Good luck to all.
Wandering coon price and what not bobcats prices
What are the prices of fur in Missouri.. for coons. ty
What are coons and muskrat going to do this year
first why do you people still sell to big buyers like greonwald have you ever got a smile lol find your state trapping association and find there fur auctions money friends I made 25% more on some items and all were better plus they make you join the nta we need the money To the guy who wanted to skin rabbits take a straw after the first cut and blow air between the skin and fur this will separate it in the delicate spots and its an old indain trick used by this trapper since 1974 out there every year good luck guys write for tips tT
I’m deffently coyote hunting this year
Well looks like I’m going to be starting at a great time I live in southern Ontario and around my area we have a massive over population of muskrat.
Ps starting at the young age of 16 so any advice from you old timers would be great
I’d like to know fur prices in Mississippi Alabama and Louisiana