Syracuse.com - CNY fur trappers have good reason to be optimistic going into fall season

[HuntingNY-News]

During the early part of 2013, fur prices were up practically across the board with record amounts sold,according to an expert in the wild fur market. The coming season should produce the same trend, all thanks to a growing demand from Chinese buyers.

With New York's trapping seasons for certain animals starting soon, local trappers are looking forward to another good year with good prices.

During the early part of 2013, fur prices were up practically across the board with record amounts sold, according to an expert in the wild fur market. The coming season should produce the same trend, all thanks to a growing demand from Chinese buyers.

Good coyote pelts should earn trappers about $35 each. 

"Chinese manufacturers are large volume manufacturers and it is very important to them that they have sufficient quantities to operate a full line in their factories," said Herman Jansen, managing director of the North American Fur Auctions, a large wild fur clearinghouse in Toronto, Canada.

"Raccoon, muskrats, coyotes and a less extent, beaver, fit perfectly with their thinking," he said. The fur is used for clothing; hats, gloves, earmuffs, coats and the trim of coats.

Jansen said when one considers the world is consuming in excess of 50 million mink skins a year and that China is the biggest consumer of mink, it only makes sense that trappers need to keep, or increase the wild fur quantities available to them.

"China has a population of 1.3 billion people," he said. "It has an economy that continues to grow and continues to create a stronger middle class that is very interested in buying luxury goods."

The Central New York area trapping seasons for raccoon, red fox, gray fox, skunk, coyote, opossum and weasel kicks off Friday (Oct. 25). Trappers willing to travel outside of the area, can also begin trapping bobcat, along with mink and muskrat that day.

The season for beaver opens Nov. 1 in the North County, and on Nov. 25 locally. Trappers can start trapping mink and muskrat locally on Nov. 25. For more on the specific seasons and areas were trapping certain species is allowed, check out the DEC hunting/trapping guide.

"We expect continuous strong demand for all of our wild fur," Jansen said. "As long as we have a normal, cold winter in China, Russia, and to a lesser extent the rest of the world, then once again we could be setting records."

Central New York area trappers sell their furs to a handful of local stores and at several wild fur auctions hosted by local fur trapping organizations. The auctions feature buyers from fur companies from this country and Canada.

Local groups include the Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY, the Oswego County Trappers Association and the Cortland Trappers Association.

"Fur, Fish and Game Magazine said red fox furs should be in the $60 to $65 dollar range; gray fox in the $35 to $40 and coyotes will remain about $35 each," said Al LaFrance, president of the Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY. His group has about 35 members.

"There should also an increase in the demand for raccoons, which will get trappers about $25 to $35," he said.

The furs from coyotes, foxes, muskrats, deer, beavers, raccoons, and other animals are put on the floor for inspection at the Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY's annual fur sale in 2011 at the Pompey Rod & Gun Club. Peter Chen | [email protected] 

LaFrance said the demand for muskrat fur "was the big driving last year. They ended up reaching averages of $14 each. This year, they should start around $11. The bottom line, though, is that most furs should be up."

LaFrance said the Independent Fur Harvesters have a fur auction set for Dec. 21 at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, and another at the end of February.

For more information on the local trapping groups, see nytrapper.com and click on "meetings."

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog