GREAT OUTDOORS: Fur harvesters auction results gauge market

The International Fur Harvesters hold auctions each year in North Bay, Ontario, in March and June that often indicate global demand for ranched and wild-caught fur.After the March 19-21 fur auction that saw prices of some northern furbearer species make gains, North American fur harvesters were eager to see if the prices held up at the June 17-19 auction ahead of next season. At the March auction, staples of the northern traplines did well. Pine marten (sable) sold for an average of $70.35 but dropped to $66.85 in June. Canadian lynx averaged $132.79 at the March auction and rose a little to $136.17 in June, while bobcat dropped from $233.27 to $164.78 and wolverine prices fell from $459.20 to $407.16. More relevant to trappers locally, common furbearers showed better prices paid in March before receding in June. Striped skunk is a retro star of the local fur auctions. Used by period re-enactors, crafters, taxidermists and hobbyists, pelts with wide, white stripes in prime condition averaged $29.52 (high of $60) in March and $79.96 (high of $90) in June. With many of the mink ranches permanently closing during the COVID-19 outbreak, low profit margins and government mandates in some European countriesl, the glut of ranch mink pelts is easing. When ranch mink supplies tighten and prices rise, typically so do wild mink and muskrats. At the March sale, wild mink sold at an average price of $16.58 for northern pelts but declined to an average of $12 in June. Muskrats were largely withdrawn again from the June auction after receiving unacceptably low offers, but those that sold averaged $2.06, down from the $2.30 average paid for the few transactions that occurred in March. Eastern red fox sold for an average of $20.08 in March and $14.55 in June, while gray fox sold for averages of $20.11 in March and $10.88 in June. Beaver have been in demand for over 500 years and their pursuit was largely responsible for the expansion of the U.S. across North America, led by adventurous trappers. Beaver prices peaked a few years ago after the supply of pelts shrank due to reduced trapping pressure during previous seasons when prices were low. Hatmakers crafting wide varieties of styles using felt made from sheared pelts bumped up prices until supplies rebounded. In June, eastern pelts averaged $19.25 vs. the $24.91 average during the March auction. Only 29% of the offers for raccoon pelts were accepted in March at an average of only $3.54. Eastern coyote harvesters had to settle for averages of $8.77. Both species went mainly unsold in June due to unacceptably low offers.National trappers convention in JulyThe 66th annual National Trappers Association convention will be from July 17-19, in Harrisburg, Virginia. Trappers attend conventions to share techniques, buy and sell equipment, and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded sportsmen (and women). "She Side" activities and "Kids Corner" are newer features of these rendezvous events that otherwise date back hundreds of years as an annual opportunity for "mountain men" trappers to re-supply, blow off steam, visit with old friends and make new ones. Most hobby trappers are rewarded for their efforts at break-even prices at best and pursue this outdoor tradition only for the love of the game. For more details, see nationaltrappers.com.