Our old friend Trapper is actively involved in Fur Management in the Peterborough-area, and I would love to hear how his season has been?
Trapper, if you have time, could you please comment with an overview of your trapping season thus far?
Also, if you have been to any of the North Bay sales, I’d love to hear how prices are holding up this year and what percentage of the lots are being purchased?
I feel it is of utmost importance to bring this industry to the forefront, not only because I too trapped for many years and find it of great interest, but many folks out there are ignorant as to what really goes on with the fur harvest.
It is a founding Industry, an age old tool of wildlife management and a way of life for many people. And trust me, even though it is great fun in the Great Outdoors, the real work – such as skinning and stretching – begins when you get home!
Trapper, without getting too graphic as not to scare anyone off, could you tell us a bit about what it is you do?
If there are any more active trappers out there, I would love to hear from you!
Outdoorguy
Well When I started reading Jeff’s Blog. I had no idea I was going to get homework. LOL
Thanks for the great coverage Jeff.
First let me thank anyone who wears fur. Traditional fur, unlike faux fur is a renewable resource and is extremely environmentally friendly.
Further, the Province regulates trapping and there are rules in place to ensure that no animal is trapped inhumanely. As such we must abide by the standards set in place by the Agreement in International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), as well as a quota system. Trappers are not a bunch of back woods cave dwellers who run around and kill everything they see just for the fun of it. Trappers are Fur Managers in today’s day and age. A trapper who doesn’t manage species populations would soon have nothing to trap. The terms “Trapping” (as a verb) and “Trapper” (as a noun) are as old as this country and like trapping itself, are an important part of our heritage.
I like to use the cliché that trapping practices are more like farming rather than that of mining operations. Farmers manage their livestock and crops to ensure quality yield. Mining operations exploit nature’s resource at any cost to ensure a profit. (Now this is not intended to be an insult to the mining industry and if I did I apologize)
There are two traditional fur auction houses in Canada. Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay and North American Fur Auctions in Toronto. Both houses receive raw pelts from trappers and strive to ensure that they are sold for a fair market price.
A lot of work goes in to harvesting and preparing a pelt. From the day it is trapped to the fleshing process, then on to the sale and eventually into the hands of a furrier a pelt will pass through many hands.
The following are several links to various groups and organizations involved in the trapping industry that assist in the regulation and education of managing wild fur.
The Fur institute of Canada: http://www.fur.ca/index-e/index.asp
Ontario Fur Managers Federation: http://www.furmanagers.com/
Canadian National Trapper’s Alliance: http://www.trapper.ca/
Fur Harvesters Auction: http://www.furharvesters.com/
North American Fur Auctions: http://www.nafa.ca/
Here are the sale results of the recent auction held in North Bay in February:
http://www.furharvesters.com/results/2010/feb10cdn.pdf
If anyone wants to learn more about trapping and trapping practices please look into your local Trapper’s Counsel as they hold annual workshops and trade shows through out the year. There one coming up in Apsley on March 6th.
Thanks Trapper for the very comprehensive explanation…I knew I had assigned the right person for the task!
Obviously you take the conservation and heritage-side of the fur industry quite seriously, Im glad to see that..
Take care and I promise no more homework!
Outdoorsguy
Jeff, can you find out from Ottawa Sun reporter Scott Taylor how Krystie Morrow and her dog Koby are doing.
(young girl and dog get caught in trap. reported by Ottawa Sin reporter Scott Taylor Feb 19/2010)
Although many would suggest that there’s no need to apologise especially if these traps were set legally by a licensed trapper, regardless, on behalf of all trappers I’m sorry this happened to her and her dog and I hope she is recovering.
I would love to hear more about the story though. Eg. Type of trap, extent of injury, was trap set by a trapper or other etc ?
Always interesting conversation. My brother in-law and I don’t trap but do aquire furs from hunters, an occassional cayote, or raccon but mostly deer hides.
I would love to know how one can participate in an auction? Are they sold in lots?
Big issue is not being in North Bay, can you find a buyer and pay him/her a fee?
Are one of the web sites mentions the best resource to start?
Regards Allen
Allen,
They are sold in Lots and I think you could attend as a buyer. What kind of volume are you looking for ? You could buy direct from a trapper (nudge nudge wink wink). Don’t really want to continue this discussion here and mess up Jeff’s blog. Also not a fan of posting my e-mail address on here (too many antis out there). E-mail Jeff and he can give you my e-mail address.
Trapper
Trapper, Ive been off sick for a few days, but I’ll get back to you about Scott Taylor.
Outdoorsguy
Thanks.
I see your blog is a bit messed up again too. If you click on your image in the banner it takes you to the tech. blog
Still happening as of 11:41 tonight. Would a complaint to the bosses at the Sun help in getting it fixed ?
Thanks Trapper, I’m going to follow-up with them again this am about it.
Outdoorsguy
It’s still happening as of 8:15 am this morning.
Yeah, Ive heard from my guy at the SUN and apparently the people in Toronto started looking into
it yesterday and will (hopefully) be fixing it today…
Outdoorsguy
The really frustrating part now is that, since they started looking into it, I cant even post anything new on Outdoors Guy..
I’m a Blogger with no real Blog capabilites..I can only comment for now
Outdoorsguy
start blogging in the site you visit …
Any update from Scott Taylor ?