The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-09-23
MUSKRAT AND BEAVER.

Less than five years ago a pro-
position to ranch muskrats, beaver
and other fur-bearing animals on
volume basis and for large COM
mercail production was met with
boots and yells of derision. Today
there are over twelve hundred Fur
Breeders permits that have been
issued by the State Game and Fish
department to individuals and COM
panies that have foreseen the actual
depletion of any species under the
old system and recognize that the
circumstances force the raising OF
fur-bearing n m a S, principally
muskrat and beaver, under ranch
control in their natural habitat, II
the world demand for raw furs is
to be met.
Thus we find Minnesota about to
realize on a natural resource, taken
from lands otherwise worthless,
bringing about the rapid develop.
ent of ranches devoted entirely
to the raising of our prolific and
valuable species.
Fur breeding permits are issued
by the state only to responsible firms
and individuals who must meet the
requirements of the law relative to
fencing, improvement and control
of their properties. The extent of
the business involved can be deter
minerd by the number of acres that
have been thus licensed and are I'M
der the control of these permits.
The fact that some of our largest
fur houses are seeking to control
or buy marshes of their own for
the commercial raising of muskrats
puts the stamp of approval on the
proposition as a practical business
venture and the wise-cracknig skep-
tic is no longer in evidence after
he secures knowledge of the high
standing of the new industry and
become acquainted with the organi-
cations that are developing their
projects in this state.
In this country there are num-
Der of individuals that have become
interested in learning about the new
business and have begun in small
way. Many have joined forces
with the largest companies that are
we'll organized and financed to de-
velop large acreages of swamp land.
The Orange-Cameron ranch in
Canada is producing one million
pelts yearly according TO an article
in the Northern Fur Trade maya
zine, and another we'll known cor
poration in Michigan, established in
1928 did a business of $1,500,0O
last year according to the state
ment of its president before a con-
vention of fur breeders held in Min
neapolis last April. Government
statistics state that this country is
now importing raw furs and there
was shortage in the United States
last year of fifty million pelts. The
demand is far in excess of any pos
sible production. The industry is
favored and Endorsed by the Do
minion government and encouraged
by Minnesota's own state conserva-
ton department.
In Minnesota the largest exclusive
muskrat ranching concern is the
Ten Thousand Lakes Fur Farms
corporation with seven properties
of from five to eight hundred acres
in course of development. These
ranches are located at Brainerd,
Aitkin, Clear Lake, Anoka and Du-
luth. The company holds seven
state fur breeders permits for each
of their properties and according to
A. A. Robbins, its president, the
new industry is bound to become
a valuable asset to Minnesota's re-
sources and involves conservation
and perpetuation of natural pro-
duct of the state in which every citi-