New Fur Statistics Confirm Tough Year For Trappers

New Fur Statistics Confirm Tough Year For Trappers

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 14:39

 

 

Last year’s trapping season in northern Saskatchewan won’t be remembered as a banner year.

 

According to statistics supplied by Saskatchewan Environment, prices were down in almost every species from the year before.

 

For example, beaver pelts averaged $29.88 in 2005-2006 — that’s roughly $7 more than last season.

 

Fishers averaged $96.94 in ’05-’06 — $15 more than last year.

 

In 2005-2006, marten pelts sold for an average price of $107. Last season, they averaged just under $72.

 

Muskrats sold for an average price of $7.50 in ’05-’06, but just $4.50 last season.

 

Otter hides averaged a whopping $184 in ’05-’06. They sold for just $55 on average last season — mainly due to the sudden disappearance of the Chinese market.

 

According to Saskatchewan Environment, more pelts were sold last season than the previous year. Roughly 111,000 pelts were processed last season, compared to just 66,000 pelts processed in 2005-2006.

 

Just under $3 million worth of product was sold last year, while just over $2 million was marketed the year before.

 

Meanwhile, an official with Fur Harvesters Auction House in North Bay, Ontario says his group managed to sell between 50% to 70% of the pelts offered at yesterday’s sale — the first of the new season.

 

Dave Bazma says they’re still tabulating the averages for many of the species, but good progress was made on most animals.

 

However, he says otter continues to be a problem, with most pelts averaging around $45 to $50.

 

But he notes other species are on the rebound.

 

Bazma says the beaver topped out at $49, with an average prices of $22.

 

Muskrats fetched a maximum of $7.70, with an average price of $3.40.