Fur Market Report For Minnesota

[iceman]

Fur Market Report For Minnesota
From Jim Rosenwald of North Star Fur
Updated 12/18/06
 This year's fur market is more positive in some areas, as opposed to some
stickier areas.  Good quality prime furs will bring better prices than early
caught and poorly handled skins.

Trappers and fur harvesters, remember you have a lot of options on marketing
your furs.  You can ship to the auction houses or sell direct in person to
some good Minnesota Fur Buyers.  From Southern to Northern Minnesota, Eitzen,
Fairmont, Owatonna, Willmar, New London, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Fosston,
Dora Lake - a lot of these fur buyers have been in business for 30 years
servicing and supporting the Minnesota Trapper.

 Some markets that are improved in price are beaver, mink, grey fox, pine
martin, fisher and muskrat.  The negative markets are otter and red fox.

RACCOON: There will be good demand for our heavier northern Minnesota
raccoon.  Top price for dried skins $25.00 - Average about $16.00 - Green coon
average $12.00

BEAVER: Sheared beaver or winter types should see good movement with prices
remaining firm or slightly better than last year.  Remember dressing and dying
remains the biggest problem with costs hitting $40.00 making the item quite
expensive.  Long hair or fall beaver will see a higher price stemming from
high ranch mink prices.  Beaver are a cheap substitute with cheaper dressing,
becoming available in the Far East.  Top price for dried winter beaver skins
$40.00.  Green winter beaver average $20.00

MINK: The demand for wild mink will continue to be fairly strong.  Top price
for dried male mink $25.00 - average $15.00

RED FOX:  The red fox market right now is sluggish.  Top price dried red fox
$22.00 - average $15.00

GREY FOX:  The demand is very strong.  Heavy Minnesota grey fox dried $25.00

PINE MARTIN:  This is another market that has improved from last year.  Top
price for large dark males is $80.00.  Average is $65.00 - $70.00

OTTER:  The otter market is very depressed from where it has been.  Price for
good dried otter $50.00.  There are 25,000 otter sitting in Canadian Auction
houses that have not been sold.  This leaves a big cloud on the market.

COYOTE:  Heavier trimming coyote are in good demand.  Coyote from NW Minnesota
$45.00 top.  Dried Southern Minnesota $20.00 top

FISHER:  Market is getting stronger.  Top price for XL males $100.00.  Top
price for females are $60.00

MUSKRAT:  There is very little carry over from last year.  Price for dried
fall rats average $5.50.  Winter rats top out at $10.00   Average $6.00 - $8.00

BOBCAT:  Heavy white bellies top at $125.00.  The caste flatter females $40.00
 
 

[GRIZ]

WOW where you selling yours at ?

Just to remind ya a post of urs a few months ago. I was a bit low on most of my stuff anyhow which is a good thing.

I'm just wondering about them coyotes in NW part they must be one heck of a bunch better. The ones we have around here are part sheep.

[Mayfly]

Griz too bad you don't line close i'd let you trap all my red foxes. They are everywhere but I imagine that is the case most places here in the state.

[GRIZ]

Actually the fox pop has gone down some here as the yotes are taking over the habitat.

[Mayfly]

Actually the fox pop has gone down some here as the yotes are taking over the habitat.

I see them in my yard all the time....sly little suckers.

[GRIZ]

Take out the ol 22. That'll do em if they are that close.