The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-11
TRAPPING AND
 SELLING FURS
 GOOD BUSINESS
Many Fur Bearing Animals Are Widely Distributed Pelts Bring Good Prices.

With the approach of cold weather the thrifty farmer in almost any sec ton Of he country soon can under stand, some form of fur trapping with profit. A knowledge of the fur bearing animals found in his vicinity and how to catch them and treat their pelts reveals a source of income often overlooked. For the boy in the coun- try nothing offers a more delightful diversion than a trapping expedition particularly if it entails a money re- ward. Where the farm itself affords little opportunity 10 trapping, an ac- cessible stream or wooded thract is generally to be found nearby where fur-bearing animals can be cought. While the fur resources of the cOun- try have been diminishing adiIy, 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 outset the necessity of postponing tra pping until the manimaIs fur is example, killed in September, might not be worth more than 50 cents5 whereas if the same animal were killed in November or December. it's pelt might bring $1O. Speaking gen eraIy, trapping should not begin un- til cold weather has set i1-that is, until late November or December foY, most section of the country. Two principal exceptions to the rule are the musI1rat and beaver, whose fur is not at it's best until February or March.
 1r, doJ1- T +1-EE EE,11 ted fur bearing animals mentioned in each region has many others to lure the pelt collector. The prices given here are necessarily only approxinna- tions. Each trapper must bear in mind that the size and condition 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 $1 to $ this season, while the belts of the little spotted skunk will bring from 10 to so cents. The yeas el of one variety or another, Is to be found in practically all section of the country. Formerly the brown belts
 
 the rise in fur prices brown pelts should net the trapper from 10 to ? 5 cents each, while the white belts will bring from 50 cents to s1.5O. 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 it's skin if secured in the north, should bring from S4 to $8, while a skin secured in the south should command s2 to $3. Likewise, the raccoon living in the north produces a better peIt than the one living in the south. Good raccoon skins are worth from S150 to S3.75 each to the trapper.
 Many persons, particularly city dwel1ers, may be surprised to learn that many foxes are still trapped in thisc ountry. Red fox belts, obtaina- ble in widely distributed areas in the Northern States, should bring from S10 to $50 each this season, while the gray fox found in the Southern State . will bring from S1.50 to S3 a, pelt.
 An example of returns that can be secured from fur resources long over- looked in found in the fact that the people of Oregon netted approximate ly S5,000 from mole skins last year, following demonstrations by repre- sentatives of the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Az rfculture. The demonstrators showed that while millions of European mole skins were used by fur manufa cturers in America before the war, the skins Of some American moIes, especially the large, common variety of western Washington and Oregon, are larger and have better texture than those 9I-TSo oly-'S- TQr71Io c 3 Q published by the United States De- partment of Agriculture, describes the best kinds of mole traps, and how to set them, and gives other informa- ton. The methods discussed are es- pecially adapted to the Pacific Cost States, but with modificat1ons will apply to all localities where moles aref ound.
 Muskrats Still Numerous.
 While mink, raccoons, and skunks have become somewhat scarce in cer- tam localities, muskrats have not di- mln1shed in numbers except in places where the marshes have been drained. These animals multiply much moro rapidly than many other fur bearers. and because of their acquatic retreats and their habits are better rItteC to maintain their numbers under req sonable protection. Muskrat pelts this season should bring from 75 cents to s2 each. Though the price of cot tontail robbits is low-15 cents to 35 cents peound for dry cased skins this sources of income should not be over looked by the trapper-farmer. as frequently large number of these animals can be caught in the course or the winter. There is frequently good market for the rabbit meat also. Among other fur-bearing anil mals more or less widely distributed throughout the country are opossums. coyotes and wolves.
 IT the farmer who temporarily turns trapper is to realize the best prices Tor belts, he must learn the proper methods of handling them. Most sk1ns should be 'tcased'' for market cased skin is one removed from the carcass after slitting the hind legs put not the belly of the animal. there py leaving a tubular-shaped belt, he skln IS left with the fur turned in, and or1ed on stretcher made of thin board sharpened to a point, or of heaVy galvanized wire
 he Biological Survey of the U. S. department of Agriculture furnishes on application information regarding lhe trapping of fur bearing animals laws relating to thes ubject, and the preparation of belts. It also slIpnIies inquiries with lists of l,,,1re,,-,