Seems like with the lower numbers of beaver being taken since the mini boom of 2023-4 that castor ought to be getting back to more reasonable numbers. However, I see at the early sales prices are in the upper 20's. FHA is reporting that they're sold out which could be a good harbinger?

I don't like to let any go for less than $40 myself. On my big, ugly, river beavers castors have typically fetched nearly as much as the pelt itself which made it a little more worth trapping the darn things.

I can't justify my addiction to beaver trapping for money, I give the castor to a lure maker, the tails too! I've gotten several parcels to trap anything I can catch!? I don't know of another beaver trapper around here the quality is pretty good when I could ship to NAFA got some good money for some! Found out that Lions and Bears will swim the Chama for fresh skinned beaver! When we could keep a trapped Lion I had some success.
Always the optimist I'll over 40 at our sale in March!

Tom

Lot of beaver got trapped in northern NM during the mountain man era. Are there still beaver in the Gila?

I think there is a ton of available castor in the country. Still.

I'm holding about 15 to 18 pounds.....raw frozen.