Eddie43, would there be much in it for you and other trappers to learn to tan the mink yourself and sell them as finished fur? That seems to be my only use for beaver and muskrats these days. Nobody wants them so I make use of them myself.
Andrew
It's something I've always wanted to do. I actually have a couple of those red bottles in the shed I want to use on a nice fox whenever I get one. Didn't set any fox snares this year, so hopefully next. As a practice, it's just not done here. There aint even many who know how to skin a fox, mink etc. It's a shame, and I hate to see the fur go to waste. I'm sure there would be interest here for tanned pelts, but the market would be small. You'd probably have to sell on eBay, etsy etc, or go to Game Fairs (similar to conventions) etc. On the other hand, with it being such a rare thing over here, a guy could probably make a few bucks selling tanned furs. He wouldn't have much competition.
To be honest, I'm afraid for the future, the way things are going. There is a big anti hunting vibe building over here, and being part of the European Union aint helping. Way to many restrictions reguarding hunting and trapping, it's just frustrating to say the least, when other country's can tell you how to hunt or trap. I hope you guys stand up for what you have, because if you give an inch, they will take a mile.