This is how the fur market is going to start out at this time November 10th. By the time you read this, things might have adjusted a bit.
Muskrats are the only thing selling right now and are being bought up by the Chinese. Large up rats in the carcass at $1.50 with mediums at $ .75 small at $.25. Dried rats are topping at $3.00
Big coon started at $5.00 in the carcass and should advance to $10.00 once they get fully prime. Small coon and damages are worthless. Expect a $15.00 top for prime stretched and dried coon.
Beaver are still low and fall flat beaver are topping $5.00 in the carcass. They will sell as hatters this year. Late winter shearables might go $10.00 in the carcass and top out at $18.00 dried for northern pelts. Southern muddy brown pelts topping at $12.00.
Wild mink are at $6.00 for males and $3.00 for females in the carcass. Dried males at $10.00 possibly pushing $12.00 for mid December bucks and females topping at $6.00
Red fox are $5.00 for prime ones in the carcass, $10.00 top on the best dried. Grey fox are about the same.
Coyotes $3.00-$5.00 in the carcass if they are prime and no rubs. $8.00- $10.00 top for dried pelts.
Bobcat might hit $70.00 for large well spotted cats - dried most will be well below that.
Otter are topping at $25.00 dried for large dark pelts. Skinned pelts at $18.00 top.
Skunks are $1.00 in the carcass and $3.00 top for dried with wide stripes.
Fisher are topping at $30.00 for dried large dark males. Females are in the mid twenties
Martin are topping $25.00 dried right now.
Ermine are $1.00 in the carcass and $2.00 dried. Long-tails up to $5.00 dried
Yes, prices are down compared to other years. Blame it on the poor economies around the world. It's not always for the money. Some of my most memorable experiences happened while running a trapline, something you just can't put a price on. Just have fun out on the line and maybe share some of those experiences with a friend or the neighbor kid!
Mark