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Any word on the prices of fur this upcoming season?
$$$Any word on the prices of fur for the upcoming?
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from what I heard the same as last year or lower
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Same thing I read in trapping magazine.
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Just got the new T&PC in the mail yesterday. You know things aren't good when the October issue is as thin as the June issue and the fur market report is only one page.
In the raccoon report, the very first sentence states the following: If you trap for raccoon, do it for fun, because I can guarantee there is no money in it this year.
They also state that beaver is even worse than raccoon!
According to the report coyote, marten, bobcat and fisher are the only fur that will get you any value. So, for us PA Trappers, there are plenty of coyote but the we are limited to one bobcat and fisher. As for marten, if the population expands south from New England, that may be a couple of years off until we can trap them.
In the raccoon report, the very first sentence states the following: If you trap for raccoon, do it for fun, because I can guarantee there is no money in it this year.
They also state that beaver is even worse than raccoon!
According to the report coyote, marten, bobcat and fisher are the only fur that will get you any value. So, for us PA Trappers, there are plenty of coyote but the we are limited to one bobcat and fisher. As for marten, if the population expands south from New England, that may be a couple of years off until we can trap them.
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I was preaching that 3 years ago when coon were still worth something and everyone was rushing out to start trapping the first day of the season.dietsch said:
Below is a picture of two coon caught the first week of November a few years ago. You can tell one is obviously blue. If you are trapping north of I-80, you might be safe to start trapping by the first week in November. But, if you're trapping south of I-80, no reason to start any earlier than November 15th.
The year I caught those coon the average coon price was about $18.00. I received $4.00 for that blue coon in a good market. This year, that coon is worthless.
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No prime skins are worthless. Perhaps to the general market or your local buyer they won't be worth your effort. There are other ways to market fur that pays even in years like this. Seek them out.
It may take a decade or more for the fur market to shine again.
It may take a decade or more for the fur market to shine again.
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Good luck everybody. Thanks for the update
Strictly price talk as said before the prices are not projected to be good. Raccoons and beaver little to no value. Red fox I think will move slowly but at low prices.
Coyotes and Bobcats will most likely sell but the majority of those aren't from PA. Our coyotes and bobcat values are typically a lot lower then those harvested in the western parts of the country.
Prices have fluctuated over the years that's for sure. Prices were manageable before the little fur boom we experienced and then everybody and their brother got into it thinking they could make a quick buck. Fur prices will balance out again preferably in the next few years but it could easily be longer.
Trap for your own reasons. Don't get me wrong it is nice to make a profit or minimally break even for your expenses but at the end of the day trap for you. Trap because it is something that gets you outdoors. Trap because you are keeping a heritage alive that has been part of country for centuries. Trap because someone in your family passed their knowledge onto you and you want to share the enjoyment with your children. Trap because in some states they can't trap anymore. Trap because you are not guaranteed tomorrow.
I always get a chuckle when I see hunters spend thousands of dollars between equipment, gas, leases etc to hunt a deer but refuse to set a few traps because of the price.
Nevertheless, I didn't mean to rant but I feel it is important to trap for you whether that's enjoyment, employment, or both. The memories you make trapping whether alone or with family and friends can be some of the most priceless memories.
Good luck to everyone this season for whatever reason you may trap.
Coyotes and Bobcats will most likely sell but the majority of those aren't from PA. Our coyotes and bobcat values are typically a lot lower then those harvested in the western parts of the country.
Prices have fluctuated over the years that's for sure. Prices were manageable before the little fur boom we experienced and then everybody and their brother got into it thinking they could make a quick buck. Fur prices will balance out again preferably in the next few years but it could easily be longer.
Trap for your own reasons. Don't get me wrong it is nice to make a profit or minimally break even for your expenses but at the end of the day trap for you. Trap because it is something that gets you outdoors. Trap because you are keeping a heritage alive that has been part of country for centuries. Trap because someone in your family passed their knowledge onto you and you want to share the enjoyment with your children. Trap because in some states they can't trap anymore. Trap because you are not guaranteed tomorrow.
I always get a chuckle when I see hunters spend thousands of dollars between equipment, gas, leases etc to hunt a deer but refuse to set a few traps because of the price.
Nevertheless, I didn't mean to rant but I feel it is important to trap for you whether that's enjoyment, employment, or both. The memories you make trapping whether alone or with family and friends can be some of the most priceless memories.
Good luck to everyone this season for whatever reason you may trap.
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X2 .... to 99.999 of trappers, it's a hobby. Last time I checked; golfers, bowlers, fisherman, hunters, etc don't make any money with their hobbies. I've known guys who made 100 K a year lamenting about the price of rats, of which they had a dozen. If they needed money that bad, they should have worked some overtime at their day job.Zrabfan30 said:
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Its my passion.
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