Raw Fur Market Forecast Fall-Winter 2012-2013 As we all know fur markets peaked in Feb-Mar of 2012, and then

eased up 20% in the spring. Forecasting the future is difficult as the world changes very rapidly. Oil prices, weather, foreign currency rates, just to name a few. Our wild fur is still a valuable commodity for this coming season. Remember, well handled prime fur is always going to bring top dollar. But poorly handled, un-prime fur is becoming very hard to market nowadays, so my advice to all fur takers is to make sure your fur is cleaned, combed and free of mud. blood, rips, etc. If you are not sure you can properly flesh, stretch to the proper sizes, then sell your fur green until you get confidante enough to put up your own fur. Remember, poorly handled fur will bring way less than just skinning and freezing and selling green. Fur handling lessons are always free at my shop with an appointment Early Season Forecast. Raccoon: Low grades, flat females and coon under 27 will be very difficult to sell this year. XL and up to Jumbo, nice prime pelts, will bring a decent price. Tops of about $15.00 is going to be our starting price as of now. Remember, things can change overnight! Red Fox: Well handled, prime, good color fox will command a nice price. $35-40.00 is possible. Early season, straw colored and flat foxes will bring considerably less. Grey Fox: Good prime will bring approximately $20-25.00. Muskrat: Fall rats Large and up will bring $4-7.50. Advances for good winters with $8-9.00 possible for XL and up. Mink: Males XL $18-22.00 (good prime pelts) Females $9-13.00 (good prime pelts) Beaver: Waiting until prime is very important. Beaver do not prime up till almost Christmas time and stay prime until late spring. Fall Beavers will be a hard sell, under $20 for XXXL. Winter prime Beaver could see tops of $30 or more later. Coyote: Good prime yotes $20-30.00 is possible. Low grade, damaged, rubbed, mangy, will be very, very low if not of no value! Skunk: XL and up with good white stripes $3-5.00. Oppossum: XL and up $1-2.00. Castor: Market is in turmoil, opening prices are around $20-25.00 for dry #1 castors. Remember, these prices are approximate and can change at any time. These prices are for well handled prime, properly stretched and dried fur. Green Fur and poorly handled and un-prime will bring considerably less. Good Luck on the trap line! Hoot