Like I said I think a trapper this year would be better off tanning his own pelts. Good year to learn how to do it.
You can not loose money when I see dozens and dozens of raccoons that were caught from thanksgiving on too last weekend sale for 2.00 each to 10.00 each. Would not buy a coon on the carcass. Fur buyer competing how good the fur was that the trappers were bring in. I guess so. Every one. Said they did not Start trapping till thanksgiving day. Those prices skinned and stretched. The 2.00 coons were graded as xl coons which here in Iowa I would say is a good 1st year coon that weighed about 18-20 pounds and they were boar coon. The 10.00 coon were 25-30 pound coon and all boar coon. ThTs a huge coon. I saw 3 female mink sale for $1.50 each skinned stretched. Even if you had a learning curve were 50% of pelts you ruined tanning them yourself you would get the process down and would be money ahead. Would make great wall hanger gifts. it is the saddest thing I every seen. In 1977 I made $6800.00 and paid for my college tuition for 2 years !!! Same fur would maybe sale for 500.00 now. No I take that back because I I only stretched rats and mink. Unbelievable. MD

Had 3,720 red fox that took me 4 seasons to catch, and process.My accountant sent me a spred sheet on my cost,$39,000.Sold them Jan., when covid first entered the US for $29,000.Very close approx $$$ numbers.Lost approx $10,000.
Now top that!!

Had 3,720 red fox that took me 4 seasons to catch, and process.My accountant sent me a spred sheet on my cost,$39,000.Sold them Jan., when covid first entered the US for $29,000.Very close approx $$$ numbers.Lost approx $10,000.
Now top that!!

Had 3,720 red fox that took me 4 seasons to catch, and process.My accountant sent me a spred sheet on my cost,$39,000.Sold them Jan., when covid first entered the US for $29,000.Very close approx $$$ numbers.Lost approx $10,000.
Now top that!!

Had 3,720 red fox that took me 4 seasons to catch, and process.My accountant sent me a spred sheet on my cost,$39,000.Sold them Jan., when covid first entered the US for $29,000.Very close approx $$$ numbers.Lost approx $10,000.
Now top that!!

Does that make Phil a hobby trapper Dirt?

Sounds like he ran a money losing business, since he took a business loss. It's even worse, since apparently he made no wages while spending $10,000 more than his fur sold for.

His intent was to make money, so no he was not a hobby trapper. The result is the same, other than the expense write off.

Well you may not like that term, but when you are not earning a living, that is what you are, especially if you enjoy trapping.

ouch,youre still the man Phil but that kinda takes the fun outa it dont it?

If he lost that much Im sure everybody else's percentage of loss is higher.....We are now at the stage in the game of who loses the least LOL.

Sort of like coming here as a non-resident in Colorado (or almost any western state now) to hunt elk. If you even get one, by the time you get home the meat costs $30-$35 a pound. Even with a do it yourself hunt, guided or private land hunts, who knows how much a pound for the meat. Point is..... who's the crazier, hunters or trappers today.

The difference would be intent. Only the individual trapper knows what his intent is.

Is your intent primarily recreational, or to earn income to support yourself and/ or family?

IRS

"TRAPPING INCOME

Just under a quarter of trappers (21%) responded that their trapping has been a very or
somewhat important source of income over the past 3 years. The large majority of them
(78%) say it has not been at all important.
• Trappers in the Alaska and West regions were the most reliant on trapping income. "

^^^^^^^^^^ This was in 2015 coming out of the miniboom.