Skunks

On page 39 of Fur Taker magazine are the Idaho and Southern Indiana fur sale results.
Skunks sold in Idaho for average $12.28. In Indiana $2.00. The high in Indiana was only $3.00.
I can't find my receipts but it is certainly more like Indiana.
There is really that much difference in quality?

just

A lot of it might be the size of the skunks as we have a huge skunk compared to the ones I caught in IL. The bigger the skunk the more options maybe for the novelty trades and hat makers, just my guess.

In my opinion, the difference in price has very little to do with quality and/or size.

The difference is due to the buyers at the sale. I know very little about the Indiana sale but the sale in Glenn’s Ferry, Idaho attracts a fair number of buyers that buy for the tourist/craft trade. They buy the pelts, tan them and the resell at tourist events. Skunks are a popular item. Some times called Mother-in-law Christmas presents. LOL

Folks that sell at tourist events know what price they can sell tanned skins for and thus can pay more than fur market value.

Those of you back east that have decent size skunks with full stripes might consider shipping to one of the western sales that attracts tourist/craft buyers. There are 3 that I know of -

Colorado Trappers - first part of February each year. Cancelled this year because of covid. Open auction.

Idaho Trappers - 2 sales. 3 weekend of January and second weekend of March. Sealed bid.

OTC sale in Klamath .falls, Oregon. Last full weekend of March. Sealed bid.

All 3 groups have web sites with info about the sales, commissions charged, etc.

Illinois sale was in Feb. Skunks top was $25.00 with an average of $15.13. That was for 23 pelts.

The classic skunks are in demand you get a huge select one they are worth as much a nice western yote here, sometimes you get people looking for the short striped ones but the classic ones have a market. Some areas have a smaller size average bury here our average size is huge in other places our jumbos are tough to match #16 is a lot of skunk.

A 14-16 pound sized skunk with select stripes and a fluffy tail will bring well over $100 if handled right and no stink to it, you just need to know how to market it to get the full potential out of it.

If I caught a hundred more clean striped skunks I could sell everyone of them, I have a waiting list as it is. Only a small percentage of skunks will meet those standards is the problem. Last year with high moisture the stripes were off color on about all of them I think I sent in 5 total this year I have about 30 good ones.

The guy your selling to might be sending them to a auction so he needs to make a profit but the outcome is unknown often even for him/her so they need to cover their butts when buying. I sold many a skunk for $2.50-$5 a pelt in the grease years ago and I was happy but now I market to a garment maker for a higher price but he’s getting what he wants and he knows what he’s getting. I could get more but the extra marketing would come out the same in the end.

Most guys cannot deal with skunks it’s just a fact because of family/work demands won’t allow it, it takes a special wife to understand what’s at hand here.

Mine would make me live in the garage I think 🤔😂

ND just had a fur sale. There were 28 Skunk, Finished 100% sold Average 11.71 High 14.00 The skunks were in two lots, and to me were smaller than average for this area.
I agree with wissmiss on why the price can be so different.