Who's going to trap this year ?

What are other trappers planning for this season? I find it difficult to get motivated when the recent fur sales indicate that some articles have almost no commercial value. I plan to trap some rats as they are at least selling. Not worth going hard on beaver when they're worth 5 - 10 bucks. Not worth setting a 220 in the bush as the coon won't even sell. I'll put in some coyote sets just to keep them from eating everything on my property but I won't be surprised if they don't sell. I feel sorry for the folks with big beaver quotas. It would cost you now to run a line. I'd be surprised if you could manage to break even.

I’m just learning but I plan on putting a few sets in simply to keep the egg eaters at bay so we have some turkeys to hunt in the spring.
Its a good time to learn to put up skins since making a few holes doesn’t cost you a high value skin.

Won't be doing trapping for the cash.
Do need to keep up with some beaver trapping each year for pest control on our property.
Tempted with todays prices to throw the bodies in the woods but will listen to my conscience and finish the skin to do the right thing. Finish what I start.
As well as pest control on beaver population and damage, a few beaver will keep me in practice so I remember how not to cut holes while fleshing.

revive this -looking forward to the upcoming season-prices be dammed,but hope to not be doing it just for fun

Someone needs to come up with some saleable products made in Canada.

Actually beaver did very well last year in the last 2 sales at FHA. Apparently a big demand for the felt industry. I also did ok with marten.

Rats have not sold in 2 years now and neither coon or yotes did well unfortunately.

Lets keep our fingers crossed things will get better.

I will be targeting beavers big time this year personally.

Actually plan to get my license this coming season.

This year's beaver prices with last year's castor prices would be even better! I'll be setting steel soon. Beavers, coyotes, racoons and fisher this year for me.

LOL I am on a lake full of beaver and nobody locally fit enought to trap them it seems. The little buggers are chewing on my plastic dock and are so unafraid of me that they sit outside their lodges and groom themsleves. They raised the Lake up and flooded a good deal of timber and when a downstream dam burst it took out the township road, expensive repair.

I’ll keep doing nuisance beaver as there is good money in it. A real shame the castor prices took such a drop. I’ll also go after the coyotes that yap on my property most nights. A crying shame those beautiful prime pelts are worth next to nothing. Not even worth setting for rats. I doubt you’d even be able to sell them

Sounds like about the only thing worth sending in this year may be beaver, as the felting market is taking them. I've got 46 to send to the February sale so far, as well as about 11 pounds of castoreum (but sad to see that the price on this has even slumped) . I haven't set for rats (won't even sell) , coon/fisher, or even set a land trap this fall. Lots of coyote around but not worth the effort for $8 to 10 , before auction fees, tumbling charge, shipping fee, and royalty charge. Big time in the red when you factor in your gas, vehicle insurance and maintenance. It's a pastime now, no longer an endeavor that used to be a primary and/or secondary source of income for a lot of folks.

https://furharvesters.com/pdf/marketforecast2024.pdf
Market forecast for 2024, from North Bay Fur Auction

https://furharvesters.com/results/2023/May/may23can.pdf
Last sale from North Bay

I'm midway through my trapping course. Looking forward to getting the license and learning a few more outdoor skills.

From the report,it looks like Coyote pelts will be in the tank again this year. Shoot 'em and drag 'em.

IMO PETA doesn’t have to work on banning trapping as interest is dropping.

Trapping is a lot of work and there’s not a lot of young folks that want to do it seriously for the meh returns.

Setting and maintaining a dozen traps is pretty easy but running a registered trap line is a big commitment. I just don’t see the work ethic in our youth these days.