A potential buyer takes a look at a few skins at the NSTA Fur Table in Prince Albert. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Trappers Trade

P.A. hosts NSTA Fur Table

Dec 14, 2019 | 5:51 PM

Trappers from all over the North were in Prince Albert on Saturday for the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association (NSTA) Fur Table.

Five buyers were on location looking to make purchases and organizers said the turnout was good compared to previous years.

Vice President of NSTA Barry Carriere told paNOW they hold this event every year because trappers use the money they make to help with Christmas expenses.

“It’s stuck in our blood that we do this …for me anyways,” he said. “To be part of this and for the NSTA it’s really nice to see this many people coming here,” Carriere said.

He said the last four years it has been hosted in P.A. and events such as the fur table help the industry, which tends to fluctuate.

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“Now it’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” he added. “It’s really wonderful to see the locals here from Saskatchewan come and support our fur table.”

Coyote is the most valuable fur on the market these days. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Floyd Mckenzie from Cumberland House, was at the event today trying to find a buyer. He brought in 22 Marten furs, two Fishers, and a few Mink.

“It went a lot better than I expected,” Mckenzie said.

He said the furs in demand for most buyers are Coyote and Marten, but events this this keep the industry alive.

“It’s very important because that’s where they sell their fur,” Mckenzie said. “You always hear this negative thing about trapping. They ban stuff like parkas and stuff like that. That has an effect on trapping because you can’t sell the fur if that keeps on going.”

He traps part time on weekends because he explained that’s how he was brought up. He’ll be using the money for Christmas.

“You trap hard for a month and you come sell your furs for gifts for the kids and family,” Mckenzie explained. ” “I put out my traps about three weeks ago and whatever I killed I brought.”

He has been trapping for 25 years and originally learned doing it with his father and is now still teaching his children even though they’re grown up.

He added trapping is the best way to spend time with family.

Bryce Kubly from the Groenewold Fur and Wool Company was one of the buyers at the event. He said there are different ways to evaluate what certain furs are worth.

“Every article has its own grade, it’s sized out, quality, colour, and you price every fur accordingly to that,” Kubly said.

Right now, he said Coyote was fetching the best prices because it is what’s in fashion around the world.

“Some big brands are using it for the parka jackets and they’re making expensive jackets which brings the price up of the skins,” he added.

He sells the skins directly overseas to manufacturers who are producing different types of clothing. He said the U.S. was the largest buyer and this was his company’s first time coming to Canada to buy.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12