Actually the first trapper sales in the west were held by WSTA . Can’t remember the town in western Washington. Not sure when those started but my first sale was in 1972. They were held before that as an answer to Goldberg paying low prices. Ed Meredith and Richard Stewart were both very active in the organization. Bid readings were interesting, but I digress.

Richard Stewart from Washington, Don Nichols from Oregon and Gary Schroeder from Idaho got together and “started” OTC. Oregon Territorial Council on Furs, Inc. The idea was to form a regional fur sale company to benefit all trappers.

OTC was incorporated in 1973. Eventually they moved the incorporation to Oregon. Don’t remember why. Over the years, OTC has held sales in 4 states and countless locations. Nutria pelts were a real curiosity at the Miles City, Montana sale (eastern Montana). Sale was just before Christmas, either 1973 or 1974.

The OTC board of directors has continually changed over the years but Don Nichols has been the president since day one. He continues running the sales to this day with the help of his son, Donnie, and a great group of volunteers.

Thanks for the history, Nancy. I would have been 18 when OTC was incorporated.

I was in my mid to late 20s. Seems like a lifetime ago. Oh wait, I guess it sort of was. LOL

I started going to the OTC sales probably around '76. I mostly had nutrias which were starting to really take off price wise. At about the same time Goldberg started having buying stations up and down the I -5 corridor. Goldberg despised the OTC sales but I know he had buyers there (claimed he didn't). In the 80's I was getting more active as a trapper and used to attend four OTC sales a year. Albany, Prineville, Ontario and K Falls. Most sales were for multiple days.

Dick Stewart started working as a buyer for Goldberg right around 74-75 I believe. Chuck and I used to hang out at buying stations shagging fur for him with the hopes he would buy dinner. The three of us one time broke the Sizzler steak house Roseburg record for the most ribs ever consumed during their "All the ribs you can eat specials". They didn't seem all that amused!