For our coon up here at least last year some guys did better than they could hope to in the country. Had to wait a little longer to get paid. Wether that’ will be the case this year I don’t know

Are you going to figure in the coon you still have at home into your average? How can a pelt that you haven't sold yet be figured into your average.

I won't be able to figure my season average until I no longer hold a coon. Is there any other way to figure an ave? Not that I'm aware of.

sold to groenwolds for the past 8 years have also watched the auctions. For my fur the averages have been pretty much the same sometimes ive got more for green beaver than what guys on here said they got for theirs put up same size but I don't know what their fur looked like and that is the point you cant sell the same hide twice that's the only way you would know for sure who paid more

Thanks for posting your results at Groeny.

I think there's still a whole lot of coons sitting in buyers' freezers. I know one who has over 10,000. They only keep frozen so long. But big dealers often times keep large inventories. They just have to keep their stock rotated. If they bought $25 coons 5-6 years ago, they can't keep them until the market rises enough to recover that investment. BUT, they can buy a cheaper coon, say $10, same size, same grade. Now they have two coons at a $14.50 ave. they stick the fresh one in the freezer, Can sell the $25 dollar coon, now turned into a $14.50 coon, and they got their money working again. The market ain't dead, it's readjusting after being smothered with junk fur and unrealistic expectations. Best thing that could happen to the fur market would be a required course in remedial fur grading and handling. Or, you could just go ask somebody like another trapper or fur buyer to give ya a hand or a few tips. Half the problem I see is, trappers are surprised half the time they catch something, then they don't what they're supposed to do with it, or how. The Wild Fur Market is controlled for the most part by trappers! It's our market. What is available on the market is something we control by what we send. If we send junk, it's a junk market, pennies on the dollar. It we wanna to show true pride in our efforts and skills, something which most have worked tirelessly to achieve, then we're gonna have a stronger more reliable market. Don't see many used chevy's at the Lamborghini dealership.

So...you're saying the wild fur market was depressed by too much junk fur?

I do not agree.

Weibkes and Groenewolds buting fur cheap as they can and you cant blame them. Its been a blood bath but I cant lose 4$ a coon because I feel bad for them. Even if its just a 100 coon and I know that we have very big high end coon apparently. If your right Dave and its getting worse, I glad to know that Groene a Dan will be at the auction biding on some cheap coon. Every sale has to have a strong floor.

Spot on.

Depends if you holding from year to year or not.

Can't turn as big of a profit compared to buying coyote.

I think it played a huge part. NAFA was practically screaming for trappers to quit sending blue coons, damaged or poorly put up fur, etc. when a consignment seller, in any market, is sayin, repeatedly, don't send it, there's a reason. The other half was "unrealistic expectations". Trappers and buyers both continued at the same frantic pace to cash in. I was there doing it myself. I was one of the thousands of new trappers the DP and the over-all fur market created. The market was dropping as I came along trying to learn how to be a part of it. I sold everything I caught, whether it should've been skinned or not. And I didn't slow down cause NAFA was speculating a fire sale. Heck no! I went and bought more traps so I could catch twice as many. I was starting to get the hang of it and wanted to see what I could do. I managed to get my share of junk in there. Thankfully, there were people around who taught me how to properly handle and care for my fur. Took every opportunity I could to get a fur buyer's opinion on what I should or shouldn't be doing. The first coon I every sold was a 1X green skin $15. Started putting my coons up the next season expecting even better prices, despite what the market was saying. The following season I trapped even harder, caught twice as many plus, put-up looked even better, market was predicted to get a little worse, but my expectations were just as high. That combination flooded the market in my opinion. Lots of things affected the market, trappers have the true effect on it. There is no doubt in my mind that NAFA, and others in the wild fur market were flooded with low grade goods. Too many on this site reported seeing it personally for me to doubt it. Markets are supply and demand, and markets fall any time the supply exceeds the demand. If we are the supply chain then we need to produce quality to attract and keep a market. Expecting the prices of the past when supply exceeds demand is unrealistic. As is thinking every 2X coon is worth $20, There isn't a good demand for wild fur, so the market isn't there. How this market emerges, and it will to some degree I believe, depends on the trappers supplying it with their best, presented it at it's best.

Not bad well said^^^^^^^^

Nafa sold all coon last may an July, not sure what going happen with these upcoming auctions

I never cherry picked anything. These coon were chronological. I had already sold a trailer and pick up full and I am sure there were some top lots in there as well. Dave there is no sense in getting uptight. You will sell your coon to GFW and get paid what they are worth to them. Your percentages lead me to belief you have smaller coon than we do here or you need to start stretching on wood. Not trying to get you mad but someone has to. We will see what happens. Fresh goods will move at higher prices as well as volumes. They are 10-25% cheaper to dress. GFW played a great hand. No one wants coon but I will buy them for a couple bucks. LLL

They have all the coon they care to carry or gamble on at this time Larry. As a cattle buyer there's times I feel the same way. I just don't tweet about it and move the market. That would be my complaint. Maybe my compliant should be no one would care

I would almost bet that they are selling coon like Dave's right now. Picking them up cheap and selling them to the Chinese and flipping them. Fur buyers should never be in the business of building cold storage. Selling on you first loss is always the best. That is why we are where we are in some respects. LLL

Larry, is the guy that bought you're first batch selling to China or don't you know?

I am not sure. He paid me well for them at the time. At least double price than anyone else. He has been speculating for several seasons. His money is good. I could have sold my finished coon to him too for a better average than others are reporting but I chose to send some to Helsinki. LLL

Thanks for the response and good luck on your future sales. I haven't sold anything yet but will ship my coon to NAFA for the May sale.

I sure hope this market makes a turn. I have not trapped in this market and soon I will be to old to trap. 61 yrs old now.