That 82% sold on bobcats is misleading, in my opinion. Sale averages are for sundry owner, section 1 goods. That means dealer lots are not included.

I think there are a lot of over priced nice western bobcats that are looking to spend the summer and longer in North Bay. But that is just my opinion.

Probably be a lot less 110’s and 1.5’s sitting around in peoples sheds next fall! I know I’ll be busting em out if things seem to hold, probably some even if things dampen a bit. Happy trapping! ScottW

$4/rats and $40/mink do not excite me. I use $80/day in gas running the line, so 2 mink or 20 rats just for gas.

Sold 3 South Georgia cats for 200.00 a piece, thought that was pretty good.

But the same disclaimer was posted on the March sale, and those were all dealer lots.

Could always stay home and work on your math

That same disclaimer is posted on every sale report. I am just expressing my opinion.

My opinion remains the same - there is no way that 82% of the bobcats sold overall. There was lots of market resistance on those very nice western bobcats. Price got pushed too high in the country. Many furriers that use bobcat fur will figure out what to do with bobcats from other sections. Most, not all but most, will not invest $30,000.00 (or more) in raw pelts for one garment.

End of statement. Do with it what you want.

If I was one of the guys with cats headed to North Bay in time for the March sale but they were held until the June sale, I'd be upset....

Good one Jag! LOL

I sold eight bobcats for $400 each. More than I've ever got for a bobcat. Was about to whine because they sold for less than the $500 valuation ....but I don't want Boco to catch me whining....

It probably shouldn’t, but $40 mink absolutely excites me compared to $20 beaver! lol. I ay easier to carry and handle! If I had the spare time I could probably trap outa my car and catch 5-7 mink per 3 day check with little effort plus supplemental rats (which would likely cover gas each day). Plus I just really enjoy catching those little buggers and putting them up.

If the weather cooperates and the water levels are anywheres close to normal I plan to run a 110 in every little culvert going under the road on the way to work next fall! Happy trapping! ScottW

Math says 1400 +/- cats no saled, that's 175ish lots so I think it's close. Most of the resistance looked to be more on the semi's. I had 1 no sale that was not a fancy cat, just over valued.

Quit that whining and look at the bright side BP.
If you were a Canadian that would be over 500 each.

Well, now that you put it that way I'm so much happier.

Actually way happier than a few months back at the ITA sale. These same cats had $150 minimums and didn't sell. FHA agent received them right after the sale in Glenn's Ferry and up to North Bay they went where they averaged $276.50 (20 of them).

....this might be to your advantage it will sell in march in the "DEALERS ONLY BOBCAT SALE ". I think with the high end and the better semi AB not selling on this sale we will have another dealers only sale at there next sale.... march dealer lots bobcat averages where way higher than june average

I'm with ya Scott. Doesn't matter what I hear between now and late November, I will be ready, willing and hopefully able to run a respectable mink line.

I will find out next week and post the true story on the bobcat sale. You can thank me then.

You have inside contacts at FH?? Or are you buddy buddy with George? Either way, your information will be suspect, iMO.!!!

Doh!

I would have had three cats held over to March but at the end of the day they went private treaty for $50 less than valuation. ($150)

I only shipped 3 cats ,I wasn’t really sure what they would bring but I was happy with it . We really don’t have good cats around in my area maybe 1 out of 5 will bring decent money sold a few years ago that brought 275 each .

BOBCAT
70696
111075362
1X
I-II LT B-C
1
130.00
130.00
70700
111075398
1X
I-II TB LT B
1
130.00
130.00
70770
111075435
LM
I-II LT C
1
85.00
85.00
AVERAGE: 115.00, SOLD: 3, UNSOLD: 0, SUBTOTAL: 345.00, HIGH: 130.00, LOW: 85.00

I will provide the facts and not speculation about something you know nothing about.

I suspect there will be some private treaty sales mostly on the lesser goods.

Lower grade cats did well. Hard not to be frustrated when you have a couple higher grade cats that didn't sell at all, when they had a $1500 average on old/stale cats from last year in march. Why didn't they import fresh goods to the march sale? FHA did the same thing last year and said it was because Mr Schroder had passed away and he had held the licensing. Still hard to complain with a $1k average though.

You callin' my cats lesser goods!!!??? Fightin' words!

I am very much looking forward to the “facts” you will be posting. Should prove to be very enlightening.

Ha! Ya right bud. Results are posted so let's see it.

you have no idea what you are posting about

at a $100 you will be close to the top lot prize

something for you to consider Nancy is when it comes to the fur market you are on the outside looking in while I am on the inside looking out

Slick pan - sure wish I knew your REAL name - I’m not sure how you can say I’m on the outside looking in. Do you actual know my history with fur buying and trapping organizations in the west? If you do - post some facts, on a public forum, to show every one you aren’t full of crap.

Post anything you want - I have nothing to hide. Go for it!!

You tell um Wiss Miss..

I know most but not every last detail of your history and even meant you in the past. History is in the past and right now you are NOT active in the fur market be it a little minor buying .

Every area/state is different. Can you get more bang for your buck trapping multiple species instead of targeting just a couple? Make every mile count. If you live that far from trapping grounds you’re kinda hooped I guess. But if you keep doing it at a big loss, you're a good man my friend….


You know what they say about anyone that has to boast about how good they are eh? They ain’t squat.
When it comes down to the crunch, they know nothing and the last ones that should be talking…….lol
We don’t know your name, but we know that you’ve never had a market report go into print for any trapping magazine. Some of your fur comments have been pretty comical.
One thing you’re probably right about, you’re on the inside looking out. But inside of what? Your apartment?"………..lol

Well in my opinion, your opinion was almost PC you were so polite. I agree with your opinion, although I would have used a stronger word than misleading myself.

So are you in the know, or going to give us someone else opinion about what happened in the cat market. You claim to be on the inside looking out, why do you have to talk to someone else if you are?

As a so called "Whining Trapper" my opinion might not matter, but as someone who listens/watches the YouTube feeds for most of the auctions for all species, I get the sense that FHA saw $$$ from the March auction results and dramatically overpriced the cats and sable. I am always on the side that I want them to get the most out of every lot to get the trappers the most money they can. There appeared to only be 1 buyer that was willing to pay over $2000 for bobcats. He was sitting down and to the right of the camera view and even the lots he bought, he was under cutting FHA asking price. Several times FHA was asking around $3000 and he was able to talk them down to around $2500 and no one else would bid against him. When they finally got to the "Lower Grades" it was clear what prices the market was willing to pay. Most lots that the asking price was $1200 or less, those lots sold. It seemed pretty obvious when they sold the top lot for $3400 and they were asking close to that on a bunch of lots before that with no interest. Generally the top lot is close to 25% higher than the real value of that lot and that would put value of the other high end cats at $2500 max. They had hundreds of cats valued at or around $3000. I agree with wissmiss, it sure didn't appear that 82% sold. There were pages of Select grades that only 1 or 2 lots on the entire page sold. The high end Lynx grades had no interest at the prices they were asking as well. Watching the mink auction, there were a lot of lots sold for less than the initial asking price.

Schmattz

Actually I knew what was going to happen as far as resistance on the higher priced goods but was not going to post it presale. As far as what actually sold I don't have direct access to what was sold private treaty yet and there is a possibility there could be more private treaty sales in the next few days.

So are the western country buyers going to take a beating on those high prices paid earlier this year come next March? Can't bode well for next season's country sales.

So you are agreeing with wismiss, that there was a lot of over priced nice western cats on the sale. I didn't get that feeling when you first started posting about it.

Look at the auction results posted on the fur harvesters web site. It literally says, The higher end western cats we wat didn't sell. Lot 70115 sold for 2000. The buyers had sticker shock.

If you have been paying attention over the years, it's pretty easy to see she knows what she is talking about, "minor" buyer or not.

I'm with you, Nancy. Slick Pan will go visit George, who over-paid wildly for some western cats, (Eastern on the western trappers' sales ), and will hear how the buyers at the auction didn't know squat about value of bobcat/lynx cat, the border issues cost him money, selling holdover cats before this years cats was stupid, FHA was at fault, but private treaty got rid of everything for incredible prices. ..."But can't share those numbers", unless there is no way to verify.
By the way, Slick, did you ever set up that place your buddy had the cattle killed by wolves? Maybe somebody even shot one? The one you were asking about on the wilderness forum, wondering if wolves would come back to a kill? The only reason I remember that post was because you started it with something like, "I know most of you on this forum don't like me, but I need help...."

I like Slick. I've never met a man I didn't like! --Will Rogers

I started using the OTC fur sale services when I was 14 years old now I an 60. Nancy was a big contributor in starting those sales as well as buying furs and traps. In the later years she put allot of work and time into running those sales. In her fur buying corer she did allot with the Canadian sales also. Today she is still here giving solid information to trappers for free. She deserves allot of respect for her work and knowledge. I don't remember the first time I experienced George at a sale but I know he still has the same pair of pink cowboy boots. He has always been an interesting character but also deserves the same amount of respect for being the high bidder on thousands of dollars of trappers fur and still showing up to buy more at his age. With out him you can kiss allot of good prices on your fur good by. I don't know who Slick Pan is but as someone getting back into the trapping game I would like to see what he has to say as well as everyone else that buys fur or is a trapper. I can decide for my self who is full of BS or who is relevant .

I'll second that!

Yep, well said Darren.

One of my fisher sold PT…….$90. Couple otter are still hanging out.

I sold all my cats except for one. for lot# it is 999999 and for grade says "Ungraded tags at this time!!!!" Someone said that the barcode came off while tumbling. I guess I'll hear something eventually.

In agree with you whole-heartedly about both Nancy and George. And I don't doubt George knows what he's doing when buying fur.
My problem is when somebody comes in like some big shot that seems to need the attention, he must not get at home and tries to belittle others that have a long track record and is known to actually be knowledgeable as well as willing to freely share that knowledge.
You know, like Slick Pan.
And yes, George is indeed one-of-a-kind.

I’m not sure if “one of a kind” adequately describes George. There has to be something better.

The first time he walked into a NAFA auction with his blue Jean cutoffs and Butte boots, he was the talk of the sale. Especially among the NAFA big wigs. LOL

Did the trappers who sent cats for the first sale this year get their cats offered for the second sale again? Does this happen with Lynx too?

To the best of my knowledge, there were no fresh bobcats offered at the March sale. Fresh meaning cats that were shipped in the 2025-26 fur season. This is because of the CITES tag paperwork.

On Lynx, the bulk of those come from Canada so no need for CITES paperwork. I assume there were “fresh” Lynx on both sales. It is possible that all Lynx from Alaska were held for the June sale. I’m sure the Tman cat expert can answer that question.

My understanding was that all lynx cats on the March sale were either hold over pelts or fresh pelts from Canada. No fresh lynx cats from the US due to Cites processing. All US collected lynx cats were held and then processed for the June sale. Same with otters and lynx.

QuietButDeadly - I think your understanding is 100% correct. I agree completely with your statement

Has Cites processing changed? My lynx and otter used to make the sale they were shipped for. That was NAFA.

The process is still the same. Every tag number has to be recorded, double checked, checked by F&W. If one digit on any tag is not correct, the entire shipment is delayed. It is a tedious process.

NAFA had plenty of employees. FH not so many. They choose to do the process once a year rather than for every sale.