By Serge Lariviére
Probably the most important wild fur sale of 2024 happened just a few months ago in North Bay, Canada, on March 22 to 24. Considered “extremely successful” in the press release of the company (www.furharvesters.com), the major points were increases in prices for most wild fur species except coyote and red fox.
Major highlights were major increases in the price paid for marten (overall average of $58.71) and fisher (males at $63.18, females at $53.98). This is especially good news for trappers heading to the big woods on remote traplines where marten and Canada lynx (average $140.96) are key species, along with beavers, of course.
The bobcat sale also was great, and when the top price paid reaches $1,500 for a Western pelt, trappers get excited. Western pelts averaged $501.21, a great incentive for trappers to go big if you have access to Western cats!

Mink are tiny animals but leave plenty of sign; primarily their tracks and scat. Photo credit Jason Houser.
In the list of great surprises was the sale of wild mink. Most surprisingly, wild mink finally climbed up above the $10 mark (Northern pelts averaged $16.13, Central pelts averaged $11.65), a significant step up after many years at very low (less than $5-$7) levels. It is difficult to explain why there was such an increase, but we will have to wait to see if the prices paid for wild mink continue to recover. We know that the oversupply of ranch mink due to shutdown operations is slowly being sold, maybe this has sparked some wild mink interest. This is one item that only a few more sales will confirm, whether we are on our way up, or whether this was just a surprise spike in a very slow market.
Also in the list of good news, beaver prices remained very strong (Western pelts at $28.87, Eastern pelts at $32.57) as the hatter market continues to drive this market. Beaver prices above $30 USD is good news not only for trappers, but for every landowner, forestry company, and even agricultural operations that have to deal with flooding issues caused by beavers.

The author with his daughter, Veronique, on the successful beaver line. Photo credit: Serge Lariviere
At $30 USD for the pelt alone, trappers find it worthwhile to go out and catch those beavers before they become a nuisance, and with a few additional dollars for the castor glands (range $30-$65 per pound depending on quality), and maybe also a meat market, beavers remain the stronghold of our traplines. The good news is that this market is expected to last as it is mostly independent from international political or economic issues, so beaver trapping still is a great idea for the upcoming season of 2024-2025, especially with advancing prices for two other water animals, wild mink and river otter, which also climbed above the $30 mark (Northern pelts averaged $34.74, Central pelts $35.48). The only slow spot in the water species right now remains muskrats. At the latest FHA sale, only the low end pelts sold for $2.14 average, which simply states that this market is not yet recovered.
Other than muskrats, two dry-land species continue to struggle, red fox (averages between $7.31 and $17.19) and coyote. Eastern coyotes pelts averaged $12.11, whereas Western coyote pelts sold on average for $25.73. Coyote pelt prices are the perfect example of what impact fashion can have on pelt prices — when just a few years ago, the parka trim trade was crazy and averages exceeded way over $100 USD. Take the fashion out, and prices plummet. There is also a lesson for trappers — catch the fur when it is hot, and when it is hot — do not sit on it but catch and sell fast. Trappers interested in paying expenses or making a profit have to learn to take advantage of fashion trends, and catch what the markets want to buy. Of course, some of us trap the same areas year after year, and we cannot, or do not want, to move or change our operations simply because of price. But those that can and are willing to do so, can do well.
Raccoon has been struggling for a long time, and this last sale saw a slight advance, with prices averaging between $7.90 to $12.77. Very few trappers go after raccoons on purpose at these prices, and the offering at this sale was extremely low (only 12,803 pelts). Good news is, almost all raccoon pelts sold (95%), which at least clears the inventory at hand.
Taxidermy goods such as wolves, bears, wolverines and badgers seem to sell well at every sale. The market for “fancy” skins currently can swallow whatever is offered, and prices remain stable or advanced slightly. Very few trappers make a living catching only such species, but at least when you do catch a wolf or a wolverine, the market will pay fairly. Take your time and handle these animals well as there is sometimes a huge difference in price between one pelt put up “commercially,” or one done for taxidermy with feet, claws and bottom lip complete, enabling the buyer to resell the pelt for taxidermy mounts.
We can conclude by saying that this sale exceeded our expectations and that we hope this is the start of the upswing that we have all been waiting for. The success of the sale also came as a surprise because the global political battles are far from over. The war between Russia and Ukraine has now entered into its second year, and with the re-election of Putin as Russia’s president, there is no indication that this war will end anytime soon. Russia still remains “low-profile” in the fur market because of the economic instability, and this has effects that we continue to see, especially with the demand for raccoon.
But a good sale is a clean breath of fresh air, we will take it, and most trappers can start planning their 2024-25 trapping season with optimism! We will see if these positive trends firm up at the next international wild fur sale that will be conducted at Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, Canada, on June 15-17, 2024.