The January fur sales at Fur Harvesters Auctions and North American Fur Auctions are completed and have provided valuable information going forward in this year’s fur market.
FHA held the first major auction of the year on January 7. Prices were encouraging for most items, but the majority did not sell at 100%.
The hottest items at the FHA sale appeared to be bobcat (lynx cat), which sold at only 42%, but on averages of over $500, and coyote, selling at 50-86% and prices of $31-39.
Raccoons averaged $13-17. Mink were $12 and otter $42. Red fox was highly variable ($13-28).
The major disappointments of this sale were beaver and muskrat. Beaver sold at 49-77% and prices of $10-20 on average. Many of these are northern beaver pelts that sold for more than double these prices several years ago. Beaver prices have been lagging and don’t look good going forward.
Muskrat prices were influenced by the lack of buyers from the Chinese market, which typically drives this item. Muskrat sold at levels of 66-100% and averages of $5.90-7.49. While these prices are much higher than just a couple of years ago, they represent a decline from the last auction, and indicate hesitant buyers.
Just two days after the FHA sale, North American Fur Auctions held its second annual internet auction. This auction was started as an alternative to an on-site January sale that didn’t receive lots of demand.
As a result of the lower muskrat prices at the FHA sale, offers for muskrats at NAFA were relatively weak. Given this, NAFA decided to withdraw the entire offering of over 104,000 muskrats and try selling them at the February auction. NAFA is confident that this strategy will pay off in higher muskrat prices in the coming weeks.
Beaver sold better at NAFA, averaging around $21-27. Most sold.
Raccoon sold at $14-21, at about 75% clearance.
Coyote seemed to be the real winner at this auction, selling 100% at averages of $22-51. The western/heavy coyote pelts were the biggest surprise, averaging $51.21. Canadian demand is driving this market.
The first two auctions of the year may have raised more questions than answers. Will muskrat prices continue on their recent highs? Will the improved coyote market continue? Will beaver prices ever make a comeback?
You can click on the links below for detailed price reports:
Stay tuned for the February auctions for more details on the 2011 fur market.
tony copeland says
im wondering what oklahoma bobcats will b worth this year
Alex Holman says
Me to I have 16 hides
Tim Jenkin says
What I’m wondering is how many Furs are being held from last year, by US Major Fur buyers like Groenwold,Wiebke,etc.
Also? Will the,(2011), summer flooding on the Mississippi River that lowered muskrat numbers through kit loss, help drive up muskrat prices, since a fair amount of river rats comprise the US fur makets?
Since numbers will influence next years harvest and would most likely be down in numbers taken for 2011 and 2012.
Summer 2011 Flooding has also decreased rat populations through out the upper/lower Mid-West, in creek basins exposed to flooding
Tim Jenkin says
WTF ! ? It’s The magically disapperaring post syndrome, escape from reality ?
At an average of $ 3.56 for a gallon of gas, you think there’s going to be many trappers this year at these dismull prices?
Trappings fun but I’d like to be able to make a living at it, but not at a severe loss………
Everything else is up in PRICE!!!>>>>> GD- mit!>>>>>>>>>> Why not FUR?
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
Tim Jenkin says
It does not take a Rocket sciencetist to figure out that there’s something wrong here GENTLEMEN.
When current Fur prices reflect a US $1 Bill, at gold/silver prices,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10 years ago.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
R Jones says
I have 2 live racoons and 1 live grey fox in North Mississippi. I was wondering if i should skin now to sell or keep until it gets colder to skin and sell. Any ideas, please email me at [email protected]…Thx for helping a newby!!!!!!
dakota says
wat is the prices of racoon hides?
artifactman says
does anyone know what coons will average this year????
maggs says
How much are bobcats gonna be worth this season. Heard around 250-300$ for a 35 inched nose to base of tail. Thanks
yote trapper says
my desert cats bring around 100 -150 these r 36-38 inch cats with good wide bellies and awesome spots mind u i catch these in southern new mexico a cold day is 40 an rare! most of time 50 at night an 60 during day so we dont get thick or heavy fur ………..d&d fur in marion id has always been honest and highly recommend him! IF FUR SELLS HIGHER THEN HE THOUGHT HE WILL SEND CHECK FOR DIFF! i got 1 like six months later he said send me more ill write check now!
lala says
I tried to buy a coat, please tell me what it is worth, and your e-mail address!
Tucker says
How much are coon furs worth for January 2012
chris bowers says
im new to trapping and live in pa iv got a good number of gray fox in my area just want to no whats the going price for them?
Rittert3 says
I just filed for my nusance control permit in kansas. We are having a really warm winter (averaging in the lower 50s with some days up in the lower 60s), I’m not sure if I should try to skin and sell or use my time otherwise? I’m focusing on coons and coyotes. I’m also going to try to ship my pelts north instead of selling local the next time I sell, it seams like most get much better prices doing so.
colin says
how much are coyotes in MN
Nate says
were’s the best place to sell bobcats and beaver pelt’s i’ve got about 2 dozen beaver in the last month and go for some bobcats. out here in the north-west oregon
ely says
150 muskrats 1 otter 2 fisher 1 mink 2 raccoons 1 fox 2 opposum 26 beavers
sent my furs to canada and they have a loy higher prices
Blake Sowden says
How Much are Martin Lynx Wolverine Wolves and such worth lately or predicted price for this year?
Amy says
does anyone now what raccoon’s are going for this year
Kolton Richardson says
According to NAFA they ran out of all coon furs this year so they are expecting prices to be on the rise which is a good thing here in the mid west since the past 2 years coon furs have been going for 5 to 10 bucks a peice.
Johnny Work says
where is the best place to sell your fur to make a profit?
William Hughes-Games says
Great shame about the price for beaver pelts but look on the bright side. The more beaver ponds that exist, the more muskrats there are to harvest. They also improve the crop of all other fur bearing animals. Anyone out there read Three Against the Wilderness by Eric Collier. Quite a revelation.
http://mtkass.blogspot.co.nz/2007/07/canadian-beaver-pest-or-benefactor.html