Prices For Trappers Take a Fatal Fall (Z1)

Many local and statewide factors have contributed to the worldwide fur market in 2013- 2014. This market has previously been enjoying a growth spurt for three years running. Still, New York trappers managed to produce good numbers of high quality pelts, although they were generally at a lesser price than in recent seasons. This year was just about as tough as many trappers can recall from a competition standpoint. This is mainly because when prices rise dramatically many trappers run trap lines. This has an impact on everyone. In addition to the increased competition, New York trappers had to navigate through the inclement fall and winter weather. Land trappers fought for the majority of the season to keep their traps working with the snow and icy conditions brought on by the extremely cold temperatures. Likewise, trappers targeting water furbearers were forced to ensure less than ideal trapping conditions. For most of the trapping season the ice was either too thin to walk on or it was too thick to push a boat through it. Price wise, industry forecasts prior to the season called for more of the same growth that had involved the market for the past few years. But some unexpected events led to a bit of uncertainty for trappers, buyers, resellers, and manufacturers. Internationally, Russia and China, two of the largest fur-buying nations, pressed the fur market for different reasons. Russia, unlike the polar vortexed United States, experienced a slightly warmer than normal winter, providing a minor downturn in pelt demand. These slight impacts on the countries around us directly impacted us. No one ever thinks of these things when these things can directly impact the money that we make. Many trappers were let down by the price forecast for their furs. Hopefully next year all trappers will see the prices for our furs grow again for the future years.