Hi all. Question. Last year at a state action they put my muskrat as damaged for a small hole in belly. I know rats are different grading. They saying belly fur better. Just wondering how others think. Or what the market is looking for. Thanks, CGB

Both belly and back fur are used on the muskrat. A hole depending on the size will put it in slights or damaged.

.75 cents.

Back when I was buying fur, the guys I was buying for paid little attention to the ocassional hole cause by a knife., since a hole from the inside is easy to repair with little or no fur loss
Bites such as you find on beaver and muslrats are a differnt story. Those bites cause the hair to be clipped resulting in a more difficult repair and loss of fur.

When the muskrat market is strong, small holes in the belly and other minor blemishes are often overlooked.

When the muskrat market is weak (as it is now), buyers are going to discount for every little thing they can.

That’s the way the fur trade works,

Bellies are used to make the blankets or plaques used for lining more valuable fur coats. With Korea not really big on the high quality backs of rats during this time frame or Russia, the bellies are what is keeping what ever rat market we have going.

Bryce