Why would I try to manage the weasel or mink population ( for example), ? I doubt my trapping them or not has little affect on their population.They are not a profitable fur resource here and likely will not be so in the future. It would be pointless.

Years ago a local fur dealer told me it was all about the average. Sure a few exceptionally high furs can bring the average up, but he didn't think such outliers were common enough to have much effect, and he didn't pay for #3s.
I really only cared about what my total was when expenses were deducted, no profit-not much fun.

On the NAFA though, they throw out the #3 from the average, but, do they also exclude the TopLot from the average?

Trevis, I think I remember that right, you are definitely one of those people who can see things from a different perspective. Always interesting to see what it will be. This one will make ya go, hmmm??? I'm curious now. I don't wanna throw out my top priced pelt and then figure my average. It doesn't look as good.

I don't think having the( top lot 1-20 pelts or so )in the average effects the sales average much.

When I look at the auctions at NAFA, I skip the sales reports and go through the catalogs. I look at the sections that my fur falls in and the size range(if talking coon) and see what they were doing. Then i can make some decisions as to where to sell next or what to go for next season assuming things holds(which doesnt always last).

They should include all in there average ,,, but I understand why they do not,,, in order to be fair apple to apple average it would need to be by region .
Because looking at coyote grades lately in the country for example the line between heavy and semi heavy is a blurry mess.
Good for the immediate year and (us the trapper) but not so good for market as a whole imo

In the boreal forest where I operate,the most valuable piece of real estate in the bush is the beaver pond.By managing the beaver at a healthy number you are benefitting all types of of other wildlife.

Being my first year of actually trapping I found my first experience rather informative. I am happy to brag (just a little ) that my five muskrats got into the high priced category. However I can not say fur trapping should ever be a final source of income. This god given green earth is a garden that must be cared and maintained. (I. Do believe our role is to be the gardeners. ) any who. We have a number of tools and resources at our disposal. The averages tell only what the ultimate demand of civilization is.