The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-12-11

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
With the approach of cold weather
the thrifty farmer in almost any sec
ton of the country soon can under
take some form OF fur trapping with
profit. A knowledge of the fur-bear-
ing animals found in his vicinity and
how TO treat their pelts reveals
source of income often overlooked.
For the boy in the country nothing
offers a more delightful diversion than
a trapping expedition, particularly if
it entails a money reward. Where
the farm itself affords little oppor-
tunity for trapping, an accessible
stream or wooded tract is generally
to be found nearby where fur-bear-
ing animals can be caught. While the
fur resources of the country have been
diminishing steadily, prices have been
rising. The war also has been an
important factor in this upward trend.
Wait Until Fur Is Right.
The person about to engage in pelt
gathering must understand at the out
set the necessity OF postpOning trap
ping until the animals fur is at its
ample, killed in September might not
be worth more than 90 cents, where
as if the same animal were killed
in November or December, its pelt
might bring $40. Speaking generally,
trapping should not begin until cold
weather has set in, that is, until late
November or December, for most sec
tons Of the country. Two principal
exceptions to the rule are the musk
rat and beaver, whose fur is not at
its best until February. or March.
In addition to the widely distribut-
ed fur-bearing animals mentioned be-
low each region has many others to
lure the pelt collector. The prices
given here are necessarily only ap-
proximotiOns. Each trapper must
bear in mind that the size and condi-
ton of the individual pelt, as well as
other factors, will have much to do
with the sum it will bring.
Skunk PeIts Valuable.
The skunk, one of the most COM
mon fur bearers, is found in every
state of the Union. Large skunk
skins probably will bring the trapper
from 81 to So this season, while the
pelts of the little spotted skunk will
bring from 10 to 80 cents. The weas-
Ell, Of one variety or another, is to be
found in practically all sections Of
the country. Formerly the brown
pelts were considered worthless, but
with the rise in fur prices brown pelts
should net the trapper from 10 to %
cents each, while the white pelts will
An animal not to be found in large
numbers, but native to regions north,
south, east and west, is the mink.
When in prime condition its skin, if
secured in the north, should bring
from 81 to So, while a skin secured in
the south should command 81 to So.
Likewise, the raccoon living in the
north produces a better pelt than the
one living in the south. Good rae
coon skins are worth from S1.05 to
1913 each to the trapper.
Many persons, particularly city
jewellers, may be surprised to learn
that many foxes still are trapped in
this country. Red fox pelts, obtain
able in widely distributed areas in the
Northern states. should bring from
gray fox found in the Southern states
will bring from S1.5O to 50 a pelt.
An example OF returns that can be
secured from fur resources long over
looked is found in the fact that the
people of Oregon netted approximately
$4,000 from mole skins last year, fol-
lowing trapping demonstrations by
Representatives Of the biological sur
veg OF the United States department
Of agriculture The demonstrators
showed that while millions OF Euro
pean mole skins were used by fur
manufacturers In America before the
war, the skins OF some American
Inoles, especially the large, common
variety OF western Washington and
Oregon. are larger and have better
texture than those from Europe Farm
erS Bulletin S32, published by the
United States department OF agricuI-
tUre, describes the best kinds OF mole