Post by Tony Howard on Dec 11, 2014 22:50:46 GMT -5
Has anyone read the Chairman's report in the International Trapper fall 2014 issue? Arnold R. Groehler, Chairman of the Wild Fur Shipper Council made some really good points. He talks about everyone wanting market reports and worries over price this year. He states that this year in particular we need to harvest our fur when it is most valuable. This would be the most prime and do our best to properly handle it so we maintain the value of the fur. He also states quality is what buyers and manufactures are looking for.
I personally will be taking this to heart as I get into the season. Granted we can't always control the prime or when we can trap, but coons here tend to prime up best between Dec 5-10 when their under fur fills in and their leather is at its thickest. They stay good prime through Jan 10-15 maybe a little long depending on the area. By this time they have depleting much of their body fat (the oily part), their leather is thinning some, they have become more urine stained from piling up in their dens as groups and the pre-rut has started with bites and fighting damage showing up. Otter and beaver will usually fellow the same pattern. Cat and fox seem to prime best a little later near Christmas and will hold up good till Feb. Fox tend to go flat fast than cats.
Granted if you catch more numbers you have more pelts to average at sale but if you catch better fur your average will be higher. No matter which way you trap, quality pelting pays off in the long run. Clean the fur ensuring it is free from mud, blood and burs. Make sure that if you freeze your fur you roll or lay it in a manner that does not allow the hide to be exposed where freezer burn can set in. Roll the head and the tail/skirt into the pelt so only fur is showing and lay it in the freezer. If you roll it for storage start at the tail and then fold the head back under the roll and make sure air can flow around the skin so it will freeze faster. Once frozen you can move it. If you are stretching and dry your fur make sure you take your time avoiding cuts and nicks in the pelt. Try to dry your fur with control temp and low humidity, with plenty of air flow. Try to make your pelts as uniform as possible. Presentation is key no matter how you sale.
I personally will be taking this to heart as I get into the season. Granted we can't always control the prime or when we can trap, but coons here tend to prime up best between Dec 5-10 when their under fur fills in and their leather is at its thickest. They stay good prime through Jan 10-15 maybe a little long depending on the area. By this time they have depleting much of their body fat (the oily part), their leather is thinning some, they have become more urine stained from piling up in their dens as groups and the pre-rut has started with bites and fighting damage showing up. Otter and beaver will usually fellow the same pattern. Cat and fox seem to prime best a little later near Christmas and will hold up good till Feb. Fox tend to go flat fast than cats.
Granted if you catch more numbers you have more pelts to average at sale but if you catch better fur your average will be higher. No matter which way you trap, quality pelting pays off in the long run. Clean the fur ensuring it is free from mud, blood and burs. Make sure that if you freeze your fur you roll or lay it in a manner that does not allow the hide to be exposed where freezer burn can set in. Roll the head and the tail/skirt into the pelt so only fur is showing and lay it in the freezer. If you roll it for storage start at the tail and then fold the head back under the roll and make sure air can flow around the skin so it will freeze faster. Once frozen you can move it. If you are stretching and dry your fur make sure you take your time avoiding cuts and nicks in the pelt. Try to dry your fur with control temp and low humidity, with plenty of air flow. Try to make your pelts as uniform as possible. Presentation is key no matter how you sale.
