Anybody notice the lack of commitment on beaver prices going forward? Gary Schroeder in FF&G basically side stepped the topic in the latest September issue. The only price he suggested was $1-5. Get off ‘em boys!

Not a beaver trapper per say; but guessing there was some panic buying in the hatter market some years ago. Hatters have been looking into alternatives to beaver for a while, both for availability and cost. As supply to inventories even out, prices will slid. Hats are pretty much a durable good, buy one and done for the most part, especially at a couple of hundred dollars a piece. Just my thoughts.

Better money to be made in the ADC markets for handling nuisance beaver problems.

Inflation on everything but fur.

Gary stated in his article...
"My crystal ball says the hatter market may weaken by as much as 25%"

And..
"Really what are you going to do with a skin with two dozen knife cuts or one that is badly rubbed except to take whatever you can get from the hatter market? Sure, the fly tying market uses some, and I've bought those I need for $1 to $5 most of the time"

He didn't suggest buyers would be paying $1 to $5 dollars.
But did say expect up to 25% less on the hatter market

I wouldn't expect to see many fresh good for sale for another 3 months or more. I would be hesitant to predict prices that far out too.

I haven’t read it, but sounds the same as the FHA update a few months ago. But they didn’t say anything about $1-5. The garbage Gary is talking about is certainly taking a hit. I had one Med SLT DGD XDK-BRN in the auction 2 springs ago that Morty my Lab got to. A chunk the size of a nerf football missing and two long tears across. I asked at the depot if I should send it or use it for something else. Ended up getting $15USD for it. Hatter markets got their stock, garment beaver market will be ok. Did he say anything about castor?

The fur buyer at Olsen's trappers convention was talking about beaver being about 25 percent lower

BOHICA !!!

Well, I'm still going to trap some beavah. Price don't stop me but if we keep giving them away like it is now the price will go up.

Same here. Some of the easier access areas I’ll leave alone, let ‘em plug up culverts again…lol.
Be interesting to see how the nice beaver that didn’t sell will move at the next auction. Some of mine went down to $40 and they wouldn’t sell them for less.

If the price drops that much, let the beaver plug all the culverts they want.

I agree, Squash

I won’t go out of my way for them like I have been, but gotta look after “my” area regardless of price. For those with their own lines or RTLs the price is secondary after keeping the line healthy.

If the hatter beaver market drops substantially...so will the garment beaver market.

Why, you ask?

Because, if the garment beaver buyers don't have to compete with as many beaver being bought for hatters, then buying competition will be much less. Price offerings will adjust.

Swamp has it right I think.

As far as the hatter market goes I think as long as there is still a bustling market for felt hats we will be OK. For me $15-$20 averages for hatters will work as long as I can get a mid to high 20's avg for my better stuff. Typically I've been getting that from the craft trade at association sales. Then add in skulls, castors, carcasses, oil sacs, etc and my overall avg will be well over $30.

That’s supply and demand…pull off of the fur trapping and supply goes down. High paying adc work goes up.

Yep^^^

Never thought I would see southern beaver worth more then nice prime beaver up here in the north.But with the market for hats that is the way it is now.

I assume you mean because the average size on the southerns is bigger?