Fur Prices

[jigginjim]

Hi guys, I haven't trapped for some twenty years now. I have thought about getting back to weekend trapping. i would like information on fur prices for coons, mink, muskrat, and fox. Is there any money in coyeot hinds.

thanks jim

[OUTDOORNUT]

Here is the lates sales report from North America Fur Auctions

STRONG CLEARANCES FOR WILD FUR IN NAFA’S

SEPTEMBER SALE

September 2005 Auction

North American Fur Auctions

www.nafa.ca

Beaver 33,547 100% Sold $18.52 Average

Coyote 16,877 100% Sold $29.25 Average $51.00 Top

LynxCat 2,960 50% Sold $111.28 Average $630.00 Top

Musquash 15,639 100% Eastern I

Western I

III

$2.77

$2.44

$0.80

$4.25

$3.50

Otter 2,473 100% Sold $91.13 Average

$130.00 Top

Red Fox 15,677 100% Sold $18.29 Average $37.00 Top

Sable 4,122 90% $52.75 Average $85.00 Top

NAFA concluded its September Sale with a fresh collection of spring caught Beaver, Muskrats and Otter. On a goods for goods basis,

this late caught collection sold at levels firm to our May Sale.

The highlight of the sale was the Sable, with prices advancing 25% over the May levels. This article continues to be dominated by

Hong Kong and China with strong support from Italy. Long haired varieties saw excellent support from the trim trade, with Coyotes

and Red Foxes selling 100% at prices similar to our May Sale. Although some interest has resurfaced, the bigger sized and better

quality Raccoons remain unsold. A small collection of better quality Western Lynx Cats also remain unsold, however due to the

selective buying pattern for this type merchandise, we feel this item will be much more attractive in our February Sale.

With the exception of these two articles NAFA has now reached 100% clearances for all articles. This should ensure a strong opening

for the 2005/2006 season.

Please see our revised market forecast for species specific information for the upcoming season.

The Forcast:

Wild Fur Forecast

October 10, 2005

Wild Fur Forecast 2006

Increased Demand From China Will Help Wild Fur Prices

With the conclusion of the September Sale, we have realized 100% clearances for all articles with the exception of a small quantity of better quality Lynx Cats and Raccoon. The highlight of the wild fur season was the Sable, which concluded the September Sale with a 25% advance over our May Sale. While not as dramatic, there were several other articles that saw price increases over the previous season; these include Fisher, Otter, Muskrat and Grey Fox. Although other articles such as Coyote, Red Fox, Beaver, and Wild Mink did not realize substantial price increases, demand was strong and clearances were 100% for all of these items. The excellent clearance and solid demand for most articles should allow for a strong opening to the 2006 wild fur season. Even with all the uncertainty in the Wild Fur business, NAFA will continue to have the largest and most respected collection of wild fur in the world that attracts the largest number of wild fur buyers to our auction, which ultimately gives our shippers the best opportunity to sell their fur for the most money.

The greatest asset of NAFA's Wild Fur Collection is the fact that it is unique and diverse. Certain articles rely heavily on high fashion, like Sable, Lynx and Lynx Cat. Many of the long haired varieties like Coyote and Fox rely on the trim and leather trade. Other articles like Raccoon rely on a single market and are influenced greatly by weather. This past year's mild winter in most of Eastern Russia hurt the sale of Raccoon garments and resulted in lower prices and clearances for this very important article. If Russia has a normal winter, it will have an immediate impact on the price of Raccoon. Most importantly, NAFA is continuously working on your behalf to improve the demand for all types of Wild Fur. NAFA has put more effort into developing these markets and continues to be the only auction house that promotes Wild Fur on a worldwide, proactive basis.

The acceptance of Wild Fur in the fashion industry over the last couple of years has been a major breakthrough. Our future depends very much on having the fashion industry on side and it is one of the most important aspects of NAFA's promotion. Other aspects of our promotion continue to be working closely with the industry leaders around the world in dressing, manufacturing, design, new assortments, etc. By continuing to work hard and efficiently around the world, we truly believe that Wild Fur will once again play a major role in the future of the fur business.

The fundamentals for 2006 for most of our Wild Fur articles are strong and I would encourage all of our trappers to go out and enjoy a good trapping season. Please keep in mind that quality counts and that very early caught skins and very late caught skins are of inferior quality and do not fit today's market.

Raccoon - The sale of this article continues to be very dependant on Eastern Russia/ Siberia, consequently when this region experiences an unseasonably warm winter, like this past season it has a major impact on the price and clearances of Raccoon. Our promotional work in China over the past several years has resulted in China becoming much more active in this article, doubling the quantity they purchased in 2005 compared to 2004. Based on our September sales results, the Raccoon market is currently in a holding pattern, however, if Russia has a normal winter and the sale of Raccoon garment improves, prices will increase immediately. With the largest collection of Raccoon in the world, combined with the largest attendance of buyers, any increase in price will occur in our auction first. Although a small quantity of better quality, bigger sized Raccoon remain unsold, we believe once the market turns around, this type of merchandise will be the most desirable and will realize the most dramatic price improvement. Conversely, small sizes, inferior qualities and low grades may become difficult to sell.

Beaver - With the conclusion of our September Sale, our collection of Beaver for the entire season is 100% sold. This can be attributed to, not only maintaining traditional markets like North America and Western Europe, but attracting new markets like Greece /Russia and China to become more active in this article. Today these two markets are buying over 60% of the skins sold at our auctions. We have also worked closely with dressing plants outside of North America to improve dressing capacity and dressing quality. With Russia showing more interest in the better quality, finished garments in longhaired and shearing types, both fall and winter caught skins in all sizes should show improvement in price. Damaged and late caught skins will continue to be problematic.

Otter- NAFA has the largest and palest collection of Otter in the world; combined with the strongest attendance of Chinese buyers we will continue to realize the highest averages for our shippers. We expect demand for this article to be similar to last season; healthy premiums will be paid for the pale and extra pale colors. China will continue to be the dominant buyer.

Muskrat- Strong Chinese support and continued increases in Ranch Mink prices should result in prices similar to our May Sale last season. Clearances were 100% and price increases were 50% higher than our February sale. With limited inventories and strong interest from China, Muskrats will sell very well next season.

Coyote- Coyote performed much better than expected, with 100 % clearances on all sections and qualities and premiums being paid for the pale and medium colored heavy and semi heavy Western types. This article relies almost exclusively on the trim and leather trade, with Italy and Western Europe purchasing the better qualities and sections and China and Korea using the commercial qualities and flatter coarser sections. We expect 100 % clearances again this season, with prices similar to last year. Inferior qualities, rubs and low grades will be sold at substantially discounted prices.

Sable- This article performed exceptionally on our September Sale with prices advancing 25 % over May Sale levels. This article is very much in demand and we expect price to be substantially stronger than last season. This high fashion item is being used both by the trim trade and the garment industry. New markets like China, Hong Kong and Greece are beginning to show strong interest in this luxurious item, while the traditional market of Italy and Germany continue to support it. NAFA has the largest and most respected assortment of Canadian Sable in the world and as a result we receive the highest averages and prices for our shippers. This will be a very rewarding season for all our Sable trappers, with all sizes and qualities performing very well; substantial premiums will be paid for the bigger sizes and the heaviest types.

Fisher- Interest in this article continues to grow, not only from the Russian market but also from China, Europe and North America. The female price has strengthened due to more demand from the garment industry and males continue to be used primarily for trim. We expect both males and females to perform very well again next season.

Wild Mink- Although clearances on this article were 100 %, price increases over the previous season were minimal. Italy continues to be the primary user of Wild Mink, the increase in the price of Ranch Mink this past season, has resulted in other markets starting to show more interest in this article. The support from other markets, should result in increased demand and 100% clearances again for this article.

Lynx / Lynx Cat- There will be excellent demand for this article again this season, both as a high fashion trim piece for the heavier sections as well as garment use for the semi-heavy and flatter sections. The heavy and semi-heavy types with the palest backs and clearest bellies will bring a premium again, while flatter sections and southern types will be very saleable at proportionately less money. There is a small quantity of better quality Western Lynx Cats that remain unsold, however, due to the selective buying patterns for the more expensive Lynx Cats, this type of merchandise is sold most effectively at the beginning of a new season or on our February Sale.

Red Fox - Although clearances for this article were 100% this past season, prices have been inconsistent from sale to sale. The heavier sections with better quality and color that can be sold to the traditional markets as a high fashioned trim piece have sold for premium prices. Flatter sections and commercial qualities that rely on the Chinese market are sold for proportionately less money, while the inferior or damaged skins must be sold at substantially reduced prices. We expect clearances and prices to be similar to this past season.

Grey Fox- There is growing interest in this article as a trim piece, particularly from Russia. Consequently demand should remain strong for the heavy and semi-heavy sections; both Eastern and Western types. Secondary qualities and low-grades are less desirable and will be sold for substantially less money.

NOTE- The low-grades or Section III (DGD, III, IV) of all varieties are normally difficult to sell or can only be sold at a substantially reduced price. The reason is twofold, a skin of this quality has limited use and the cost of dressing in relation to the price of the skin is very high. Although these skins may be a challenge to sell at times, our policy on all low-grades has been to sell these types of skins freely into the market at the time of auction. We believe this is in the best interests of our shippers and ourselves, since inventorying this type of merchandise has never been beneficial to either one.