The muskrat market has fallen. So much so, the local buyer Weibke Fur has stopped buying rats altogether.
Another of the local buyers is still buying, but his prices have fallen significantly. $6 for a top shelf muskrat stretched and dried.
It’s hard to say if the prices will rebound, so keep your ears open if you have any muskrats. You may want to unload them soon. 
ouch!
ouch!
waterfowler99
Member
Reged: 11/24/05
Posts: 1266
Loc: marshy areas of multiple midwe… Re: Trapping-Lost art? [Re: Mike Watson]
#421911 – 11/27/06 05:10 PM Edit Reply Quote
did anyone else watch outdoor wisc last sunday night? there was a segment on trapping, the guy they were interviewing owned and operated a fur shed. he said that the market was hyped so bad that there will be a surplus of hides this tear and it will take the $ lower yet
——————–
“How bout’ I punch-a-size your face for free?”–Rod Farva
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Mike Watson
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 03/21/03
Posts: 3908
Loc: Holmen, WI Re: Trapping-Lost art? [Re: waterfowler99]
#421921 – 11/27/06 05:22 PM Edit Reply Quote
I didn’t catch that one. For some items, that is true. Otter are one of the items that will not be worth much this year. Rats on the other hand are bringing better money than they have in a long time. They had a complete dispersal of rats. This is a simple case of supply and demand. The supply is gone and the demand is high resulting in better prices. The main way to tell this is not hype is the prices being paid for rats right now. Coon are also rumored to be a little higher this year. It sounds like cats, coyote, and fox are not expected to be paying much this year.
——————–
Mike Watson/IDA Field Staff
“AmWatson”
waterfowler99
Member
Reged: 11/24/05
Posts: 1266
Loc: marshy areas of multiple midwe… Re: Trapping-Lost art? [Re: Mike Watson]
#421911 – 11/27/06 05:10 PM Edit Reply Quote
did anyone else watch outdoor wisc last sunday night? there was a segment on trapping, the guy they were interviewing owned and operated a fur shed. he said that the market was hyped so bad that there will be a surplus of hides this tear and it will take the $ lower yet
——————–
“How bout’ I punch-a-size your face for free?”–Rod Farva
Post Extras:
Mike Watson
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 03/21/03
Posts: 3908
Loc: Holmen, WI Re: Trapping-Lost art? [Re: waterfowler99]
#421921 – 11/27/06 05:22 PM Edit Reply Quote
I didn’t catch that one. For some items, that is true. Otter are one of the items that will not be worth much this year. Rats on the other hand are bringing better money than they have in a long time. They had a complete dispersal of rats. This is a simple case of supply and demand. The supply is gone and the demand is high resulting in better prices. The main way to tell this is not hype is the prices being paid for rats right now. Coon are also rumored to be a little higher this year. It sounds like cats, coyote, and fox are not expected to be paying much this year.
——————–
Mike Watson/IDA Field Staff
“AmWatson”
That doesn’t surprise me. Like everything in life, time will tell.
I know I’m glad we sold ours and averaged $7. 
For the record, I have not heard anything else about the other fur prices. We are sitting on quite a few Beaver. 
That doesn’t surprise me. Like everything in life, time will tell.
I know I’m glad we sold ours and averaged $7.
For the record, I have not heard anything else about the other fur prices. We are sitting on quite a few Beaver.
Finished beaver are doing good. But they are getting picky with the grade.
Finished beaver are doing good. But they are getting picky with the grade.
I am not sure what you are getting at WF99 with quoting me 
I am not totally convinced the market is crashing. I do know the buyers have stopped or are lowering the prices offered. There are many ideas or reasons behind this.
1. The buyers may have met their quotas.
2. Buyers may have also bought the early rats for a higher amount. Now they are trying to recover “possible” losses by paying lower prices which will in turn average out what they will receive when shipped to the auction houses.
3. With all the new markets opening up around the world, NAFA may also be holding on the skeptical side and waiting to see how the Feb and May auctions pan out as far as the actual demand.
I was correct in my above replies that were quoted. The rat prices this year were way above normal for most of the season. It is now the tail end of the season and prices and supply have changed 
I am not sure what you are getting at WF99 with quoting me
I am not totally convinced the market is crashing. I do know the buyers have stopped or are lowering the prices offered. There are many ideas or reasons behind this.
1. The buyers may have met their quotas.
2. Buyers may have also bought the early rats for a higher amount. Now they are trying to recover “possible” losses by paying lower prices which will in turn average out what they will receive when shipped to the auction houses.
3. With all the new markets opening up around the world, NAFA may also be holding on the skeptical side and waiting to see how the Feb and May auctions pan out as far as the actual demand.
I was correct in my above replies that were quoted. The rat prices this year were way above normal for most of the season. It is now the tail end of the season and prices and supply have changed
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