By Nigel Maxwell

Good news for trappers

May 6, 2011 | 11:54 AM

For the first time in years, fur prices appear to be on the rise.

The President of the Saskatchewan Trappers Association is pleased.

“It gives a guy a bit of an incentive to know that there is a bit of a profit at the end of it. Fur trapping is a short season to begin with, when the pelts are prime, and with the price of fuel going up and things like that, you have to see a profit of some sort to make it worth your while,” said Don Gordon.

Lynx, Marten and Coyote, are showing the biggest increases.

Last year the prices for coyote were in the $30 to $33 average mark and this year has jumped to the $70 range.

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Marten prices have jumped from about $67 to $81.

Other furs such as bear and otter have seen less some substantial increases, in the $3 to $4 range.
Don Gordon said there could be several reasons for the rebound.

“There isn't enough harvested to supply the demand. Basically we could harvest more and there are ready buyers to take it,” said Gordon.

Some local fur buyers have a different opinion on the prices.

They say the increases are too marginal to make a significant difference and the only reason the numbers look positive is because they have been so pitiful the past few years.

nmaxwell@panow.com