Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-25
THE FUR TRAPPERS.
The Season Has Opened for the
Hunters of the Skunk and Raccoon.

the FUR trapperS, and there are a few
of them in this part of the State, are
getting out their paraphernalia from
dusty seclusion, and this week will see
them on the warpath. There are a
number of professional trappers. old
experienced woodsmen and river driv-
ers, for the most part. who live in the
outlying districts, and who make quite
goodly sum, during the lat fall, and
early winter months, in trapping the
smaller fur-bearing animals. There
are likely ponds, streams and mud
holes out on the Togus road, and out
Sidney way, where the trappers ply
their vocation. and the skins. after be-
ing treated. are brought into this city
and sold direct. or else shipped to Bos-
ton and New York furriers.
The fox is not plentiful animal in
Kennebec valley, although a number
are secured every year. Their skins
range in prices from 81 for Off-cOlor
and poorly nourshed hides. to 81 and s.
for bright glossy and straight-laid furs.
The animal most sought after by the
trappers is, of course, the mink. This
little animal abounds i'm this section but
it is rather difficult to get him in close
range. A dog is required to run them
to earth, although mink is occa-
sionally caught in steel traps, which
are baited with fresh fish. The skunk
is found in abundance in the woods
which skirt the city to the east and
north, and their skins bring fairly
good prices. ranging from 40 cents to
S1.OO. although the skin that brings this
latter figure, must needs be very large,
and the fur thick and highly colored.
Muskrats, the most common of fur
bearing animals in this county, are not
held in high esteem by the trappers,
although hundreds are killed an
nually, and the hides sold to manu-
facturers of the cheaper grade of fur
caps, and small clothing novelties. A
by-product of the muskrat that is not
cultivated in this State, is the Oil
which is used for many purposes.
In Michigan and other states border
ing on the big lakes, the muskrat is
priced highly for the oil. but here its
uses are not known, nor cultivated.
Good clean skins will bring but 20 to 30
cents in open market in Augusta.
Coons are not very plentiful in this
section. although there are some people
hereabouts who have well trained coon
dogs, and who make a good living dur
ing the season, hunting the fat fellows.
Their skins bring from GO cents to 500
each, and as the meat of the animal is
edible. an added income may be de-
rived from the sale of the carcass, al
though coon meat in the retail stores is
not a recognized commodity.
Deer are quite frequently brought
down in this county. and no attention
is paid. by the hunter. to the preserva-
ton of the skin. A good deer hide
will bring from 81 to SO. if shipped to
rug manufacturers. Deer skins tanned
and trimmed with other furs are used
quite extensively in the central states
as rugs.
Bear skins are, of course, valuable
for coats and other articles of clothing,
and the prices paid for black and
brown bears range from $40 to $50 a
pelt. The latter price is the exception.
however. although there have been big
black bears brought down in this sec
ton many years ago that would have
brought that sum in these later days.