They have started posting the catalogs on their web site. Live auction starts a week from today. Oh Boy!!!

I'm not seeing that here on my end.

Usually they list finished catalogs printed in RED.

I'm not seeing any red listings.

Which species catalogs have they posted so far ?

walleyed

The posted catalogs are in black. The unposted ones are in light grey.

All of day 1 is posted.

Coyote, bobcat, ranch mink and a few others are not done.

Beaver is done.

I’ve never seen posted catalogs in red.

I wonder when trapper accounts will be updated for this sale.

No can find on site. Just a new heading for May sale catalogue but no species updated on it. Must be on buyer log in only Wissmiss?

No odds will happen.

I can open them!

No graded lots showing on my account yet either.Just reciepts.
Usually shows a couple or 3 days before the sale.

I am now able to look at the posted catalogs
that are black as wissmiss has described.

They used to come out posted red in the past.

w

Click on buyer. Then click on auction catalog. Then the list will pop up. Should be accessible to everyone. No log in needed.

Shipper accounts will probably be updated Wednesday. But that is just my guess.

Got it; had to refresh home page only.

They just talked me through logging in for the first time this afternoon. She said they haven’t got the furs in lots yet. My list of fur is there but not the lot they’re in.

At this point I’m quite sure the fur has all been graded or just about and they are putting the finishing touches on the buyers catalogs.

If the catalog is online, the pelts in those species have been lotted. Inspection starts Tuesday!!

Don’t they update your account before the auction so you can see what lots yours are in?

Yes they do Jake.

They do one big update once all the catalogs are ready. You just need to be patient.

Under castor, does the number refer to how many sets of castor or weight?

My account doesn't show any receipts for fur delivered in early April either..

Better give them a call.

OK, guess I will. I would be bummed if they don't make it on this sale.

All of the catalogs have been posted except raccoon. Also, raccoon has been moved to the very end of the auction. Last day - after Lynx, lynxcats and ranch mink. Guess they are really excited about the raccoon offering - I wonder how many buyers will be in the room???

Castor - the number is the weight. I think they use ounces but I’m not sure. They do take a deduction for weight loss due to drying.

Myself and my buddy's receipts were both up May 5. Yes you better give them a call.

Sounds like you are in the same
boat as the Legendary COONMAN !!!!

You are screwed !!!!

w

Shucks!

Thanks, makes sense. Think I had roughly 1.5lbs on my cheap scale.

Carl, that will really suck if your beaver didn’t make this sale. Should have been plenty of time aftermKlamayj. Have you checked with your consignment agent?

Not yet. I just got done emailing Cheryl so I'll wait to see what she says first I guess. I met up with George B. in Washington about the 1st of April.

Well, my agent confirmed that he ran off with my beaver, sold them, and now lives on an Island he bought in the Carribbean with the proceeds.

Actually maybe it was more like: "Be patient...they're up there and in the system".

What's procedure for setting up online account ? I hadn't shipped to fha in twenty years, used a new agent this year and sent some bvr and otter.

Probably call them and they will help you set it up. Might need the number on the paper receipt you got from the agent when you dropped off the fur.

Fairly easy process. Do it once and you are all set for the future.

Just talked to Greg, my info was in but they gave me another account number and password. Thanks Nancy

The online catalog with values is now available to registered buyers. Pictures will be added this evening.

On line bidding starts tomorrow.

It’s almost SHOW TIME!!!

Hope everyone with fur on this sale does well. Or as well as can be expected on some species.

If the catalogs are complete and posted for online bids starting tomorrow they sure are dragging out the posting of lotting for the shippers lol…

Yup !!!!

But they don't want to overload the Commodore 64
and crash the FHA system !!!

w

You must be out of the loop Walleyes-they got a commodore 65 now.

You’ll need the number on the receipt and then call or email them for the password. Maybe they’ll have your old info for sending the check?

Got my info and password, can't log in, said new accounts are still being updated.....

Online starts tomorrow. If you cannot attend in person, put in your max bid by a specific time. Online bids will be counted on the live auction. In the event of a tie the hammer goes to the person in attendance.

Why? The online bidder bid first. Make the guy in the room beat it... just sayin

I think that statement by FH about online bids is misleading. I’m not sure if it is 100% accurate.

I listened to quite a bit of the March auction, especially lots that I bid on via the on line auction. Never once did I hear a tie bid.

It seemed to me that the opening bid was the high bid from the on line auction. And the bidding went there there.

Example - The on line bidder bid $6.00. That is where the auction room bidding started. If some one in the auction room wanted to bid, they would have to bid $6.50. If no one in the room bids, the on line bidder buys it for $6.00

The only down side is that the buyers in the room were able to figure out that the opening bid was online and all they had to do is bid the next bid and they would win because the on line bidder couldn’t bid again.

I lost any number of lots by 50 cents. But that’s life.

Must be different then any online bidding I've done. You put a max bid and if someone online max bid is higher it will automatically go to that. Example if your max is $10 and mine is $15 it will go to $10.25 or whatever the increments are. If a live bidder is in theater it'll go up in .25 increments till either my max bid is reached and the live bidder goes to $15.25. Clear as mud?

What you wrote is exactly how it worked in March. Guess I’m not following why you are saying my example was different.

Would appreciate it if you would help unconfuse me. LOL. Thanks.

Gotta be better way so that on line, and in person bidding, are integrated and can bid against each other in real time. Having said that I know nil about auctions but to my poor understanding the auction is potentially leaving money on the table. Where the auction works on a commission basis seems both the auction and the shipper loose without real time bidding between remote and auction room buyers. The benefit is to the buyer. Maybe it cost too much to do that and the losses outweigh the benefits. Again I don't know and would like to have it explained.

Wissmiss said she lost any number of lots by .50 cents. More money than that on the line as no telling how high she, or the auction room buyers, would have went if they could real time bid against each other.

Tell me what I am missing here.

I think it gets tricky. Guys wait until the last second and click send to out bid another buyer by $1. I’ve been on different web auctions where you just put your max bid and that’s it.

I was under the impression that you figured the bidding started at the highest max online bid when instead it starts at the highest winning bid. If I misread your comment my apologies.

Some online auctions you have two bids one is what you would like to buy it for and the other is max you will go. Example I bid $3 on 50 rats but my max bid is $5 so start bidding at 3, someone bids 3.50 bid goes to 4 and so on up to 5 where I would still be the winning bidder. FHA needs to catch up to tech.

Online bidding isn't bad. The timed Online bidding is a pita. Seems that some watch the timer and will sneak in their bid just at the right time before the clock runs out. As a bidder with the highest max bid or a seller a guy can get bent over and not reach the max value of what is being sold.

OK, my beaver are showing up now. If I would've known how the new trapper portal works they were probably there all along. Me and new technology get along like water and oil.

Any lotting on yours yet Carl ?? I am wondering the hold up with the catalogs completed and online bidding ongoing.

Good ol' Cheryl came through...she just sent me this:

Nice. Hopefully they release them all soon

Did your 3 real bad ones make it into dg grade or did they no value them?

They're all accounted for. Doubt whether any of the three made select heavy though!

You mean the ones like this one (for those that don't know what Mud is talking about).

Looks like only the light brown pales are western beaver this year. Good thing the grade never changes.

Some of those beaver came from the Oregon coast and some from the Willamette river. Big difference in quality.

Funny BP, my absolute worst one had perfect leather. It was bizarre. And it was a bad one!

Mine are up.
Tougher beaver grade it seems for me but good on rats. A lot graded black which I figured.

Cheryl is the best.

Can someone explain what this means. This is my fisher.

50132. STR 33 1X-LG 1-11 PL D


I'm unsure what the STR, PL and D mean?

STR-String,PL-Pale(colour) D-clarity (A is best D is worst)

I still can't log in....grr

Ok. Is the clarity anything I've done as a trapper putting it up or just the way it is?

Just off colour,in any particular colour,not from handling.
Clarity grades are
A- clear
B- slightly Off
C- Off
D- Badly off or stained.

Thanks boco. I appreciate your knowledge.

No problem Bud.

NWALTA just to explain the string a little more: there are two lots (50132 and 50133) in the catelogue with that grade with 33 and 6 pelts respectively. The 6 are the show/viewing lot ones for buyer inspection. They are in a string of 39 with 2 lots (33 + 6). Things like muskrats have many lots in a single grade to make up a string. Sometimes they all go the same price and sometimes there is a slight difference.

Ok thanks I was wondering if mine was a group of 33. Thanks for clarification.

Muskrats 80351, 3x-2x Select Heavy are graded but not in the catalogue. They are fresh and have not gone up for a sale yet so not sold PT. Holding for next sale?

Saskfly my buddy and I both have a red fox on our accounts, in same lot, with the lot not listed either. Seen this before. They went PT before the sale. They do this if they figure they get a good enough offer/order before the sale. Relative to recent 'rat prices suspect you got a good price for them given the grade. Seem like top lot or near.

One of my lynx is upgraded. Unsure what that means as I don't believe I sent any junk to the sale.

You sure it doesnt say ungraded?
Just means it will show up later.

Yep that's what it says. Spell check gets a guy sometimes.

Thanks, have three in the lot.....maybe they went for enough I can buy myself an ice cream cone

Looking forward to sale … good to see trapping friends excited about something again. Hope sale continues to trend up .. last sale gave some promise on some species. Friends of mine got a top lot marten (80 us value) and another some SEL Black Wolves . They should do well if last sale an indication. Hopefully rats move, and coyotes repair a little more

CDN not sure if people noticed but last 2 years top lot marten at FHA are in several lots. This sale they are in lots 001 - 003. 256 skins, identical grade, in a string of 3 lots. Any skin in lots 001 - 003 is a top lot marten. The odd time there will be a small price difference in those lots if the auctioneer allows what they call "a drop". Not sure why a drop is allowed but you see it if you watch live auction enough on some lots in various strings.

Good point - didn’t realize lot was so large. 3X / 2X Sel XDK-DK description… sounds pretty nice on first 3 lots

Probably not.

You've entered the imaginary realm of the fantastic !!!!!

w

BTW for those who may be wondering, although access is not showing on the FHA website yet, the auction is supposed to be broadcast as in the past few years.

Is that one of the Gd DGD or how do you think it graded?
There was one in my bag that my dog got to. Nicely put up winter beaver, all ripped, and the worst grades on mine are GD DGD

Broadcast info is now posted. It will be streaming once the auction starts tomorrow morning. 8 AM eastern time. That is 5 AM here in north Idaho!!

Anyone have sound on the broadcast?

No sound - will try contact them

They are aware and trying to fix.

There are no more beaver grades with the description "Bad" attached to the grade. The worst skins are "Good Dam".

Who are the main buyers of black bears? Just curious as to where they go and purposes used.
Do they still use them for British guard regalia?

Can somebody post a link to view the auction please? I. any seem to find one anywhere

Prices are looking good!

Thanks mnsota

Bear claws are used for jewelry, especially in the American SW. bears can’t be sold in Ontario unless they have the claws attached.

Remember, England just crowned a new king. Gotta replenish the hat supply.

what time do the beaver go?

United Kingdom:
The following units and their bands have the bearskin cap as part of their full dress:
Grenadier Guards
Coldstream Guards
Scots Guards
Irish Guards
Welsh Guards
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Honourable Artillery Company

The standard bearskin for the British foot guards is 11 inches (280 millimetres) tall at the front, 16 inches (410 millimetres) to the rear, weighs 1.5 pounds (0.68 kilograms), and is made from the fur of the Canadian black bear. However, an officer's bearskin is made from the fur of the Canadian brown bear, as the female brown bear has thicker, fuller fur; officers' caps are dyed black. An entire skin is used for each head-dress. The British Army purchase the caps from a British hatmaker which sources its pelts at an international auction. The hatmakers purchase between 50 and 100 black bear skins each year at a cost of about £650 each. If properly maintained, the caps last for decades.

USA:
Presently one military unit in the United States uses a bearskin cap as a part of their ceremonial uniform, the Second Company Governor's Foot Guard of the Connecticut State Guard. Also most drum majors of military bands are authorized to wear a bearskin cap.

Uruguay
The Uruguayan Army's Company of Sappers of 1837 uses the bearskin cap as a part of its ceremonial uniform as the guard of honour company of the Uruguayan Supreme Court.

Denmark:
Royal Life Guard

Australia:
Royal Australian Regiment
Pipes and Drums 3d Battalion

Belgium:
Regiment Carabiniers Prins Boudewijn and Belgian Royal Escorts

Spain:
1st Company of 1st Kings Immemorial Infantry Regiment

Netherlands:
Grenadiers and Rifle Guard Regiments

Canada:
The Royal 22e Régiment
The Governor General's Foot Guards
The Canadian Grenadier Guards
The Royal Regiment of Canada
Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
The Princess Louise Fusiliers
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke

Obviously only worn during ceremonial roles and the hats last forever when they are taken care of, have looked at some that where from the 1930 and still in use. The liner had been replaced a couple times, is all.

Beaver open up the auction tomorrow at 8 am Eastern

If anybody is so inclined I would sure appreciate seeing some of the hammer prices on beaver i have. i can't watch tomorrow as I have a farmers market to attend.

I should catch the first hour before work BP. I’ll have an idea. I’ll pm if you make some space

Did you make that chart Karl ? I have 54 bvr but my phone doesn't list like that

Carl - you are over your limit. Empty your mailbox so I can talk to you.

Thanks.

Actually Cheryl up at FHA sent that via email. I still can't see my grades on my new finagled FHA portal, just that I have 52 beaver there.

OK, I did open some space I think.

clik on lots.

Mine came out in list form was why I asked, I've got 54 Arkansas bvr there and was comparing to yours. Sold 80 some early for 13 each. green frozen, and 90 put up for 19.50/#. Definitely better bonus for bvr control work this year !

Boco, that little Indian trick of yours worked like a charm. I was never going to figure that out on my own.

You're a scholar and a gentleman!

Thank you Saskfly for the thorough reply, I hadn't realized they were used to such extent.
I think I had read at one time that England was contemplating ending their use. Good to see still being used.

Thanks wissmiss.

Good to acknowledge mnsota.

See one of my lynx is still not graded. Hate to bother Cheryl so anyone got a idea on why?

Good research Saskfly, I appreciate your info!

Any bets on whether beaver will hold to March levels...be less, or more than March? My guess is that we may see a slight advance in the bigger sizes and a little less on the smaller sizes as compared to March.

Being the eternal pessimist I am, and considering I have all of mine there at this auction I’d guess down, lol.

Crazy how lots in the same string can be $10 different

Top lot beaver was over $700, Mr. Greg Schroeder bought it. Said it was the biggest beaver he had ever received to be shipped. They never actually gave a size.

Just listening to the live stream it seems like it will be the same as March. More interest and bidding on the large and smaller beaver.

But I do not have the March catalog pulled up, or this catalog pulled up. So I could be completely wrong!!!

The beaver is done . Sounded like 100% clearance with a lot of interest but around the same prices as March is what it seemed like .

I watch FHA auction that beaver, 80" and $775 was the top bid. We all need 10-20 of those in our lot!

The guy who sent that will have a nice avg,lol.
That price has been beat in the past.

One year 6 beaver in the top lot sold for $1200 per pelt.
I know the guy that had 2 pelts in that lot.He used to ship to NAFA,but missed the fur pick up that sale so he shipped to FHA.

When he says a starting price, lowers it, then moves to the next lot, I guess that means they’re hanging onto it? Sell PT or at the next auction?

Correct. If the hammer doesn’t fall, the lot is not sold in the auction room.

So how can the fur of the same string, size and grade but different lot have such a big sale price difference?

It’s a live auction. Sometimes buyers are a lot or two behind and haven’t kept up on the lot they are on. Sometimes people try to drop their price on the string to try to get a better deal, which can open up bidding on the string too.

Some times a buyer only need one lot and will pay a premium for it. If he “drops out” and the second bidder doesn’t step in, the auctioneer might go back to the original starting price and start again.

Just the luck of the draw who has pelts in the higher price lot.