Well, the 2010 fur season for me has come to somewhat of an end. Other than a few ADC jobs and predator hunting, this is my end of fur trapping for the year.
In light of the economy, trades with Russia, china,… I don’t think I did that bad. Of coarse, I would like to relive the 70’s/early 80’s, but let’s get real. Those days have been gone for a long time.
Rats, I averaged $7.70. Best year I have had in rats in a long, long time. With the sale of two rats to a taxidermist @ $25.00 each, my early sale of YOY and much lessor grades, fur buyers paid a high of $9.00 to a low of $1.50 for kits and rags. According to my sizing, grading, and expectations Groenewald Fur was within $45.00 of what I wanted for my annual take of 532 rats.
Coon – I didn’t go all out on coon this year because of speculated low prices, hold-overs from last year, and a pile of coon I had at NAFA that didn’t sell very quickly. I had a source that wanted smaller coon for mounts and decorative fur, so that was a very unique outlet I had for selling what would have been worthless fur. My very early sale of poor grade coon and small stuff averaged $11.00. I sold the rest of my coon today to Groanewald for an average of almost $18.00. Considering I didn’t have any Jumbo’s and he upgraded what I believed to be mediums to large/XL, I am extremely happy with George’s offer. So with everything said and done, I averaged $16.92 for green pelts on the year.
Coyotes – I changed my mind and sold everything today. With the rumors I have been hearing and the few buyers that I have talked to…everyone only wants the largest and best – with color getting graded very hard. I had a lot of darks with strong amber, which isn’t the most desirable. I had a range of $25.00 down to $10.00 with an average of about $18.00. I would have liked to averaged greater than $20 with them being put up. But considering the facts, I feel like I took a $96.00 hit on what I wanted. So, nearly $100.00 less than I expected to make, but better than what I have heard from many others.
Fox – I kept the few fox that I have and will sell them later.
Mink – I have taken the fewest mink that I have gotten in the last 10 years. Not really a fare synopsis with how few I had. I averaged $12.00 combining both bucks and females. That was ok, and not worth arguing over.
Beaver – I have a dozen from some ADC jobs. I have two blankets and cleared a colony of a couple large and a bunch of YOY. Skinned and froze, I’ll put them up when I get done this spring with other ADC jobs.
Love’m or Hate’m I sold most of my fur to Groanewald and couldn’t have been too much happier. No commission fees, walked away with my check in hand, and George’s grading was very consistent to what and how I graded it myself. And, I’ll make the next couple of house payments….
but it is so rewarding to be out every day walking the creeks and fields to see many things that most people never get to. Plus, I still enjoy the satisfaction I get putting up furs at 1:00 in the morning and the adrenaline rush when its time to sell.
Please keep the reports coming!