112 FISHERY AND FUE INDUSTRIES OF ALASKA IN 1912. 



NOTES ON FUR-BEARING ANIMALS OF ALASKA. 

 MINK (tENA INDIAN NAME, "tARKUDZa" OR "tARBASHA"). 



Although the interior of Alaska has been trapped and retrapped 

 for many years, mink are still quite common in and about many 

 of the clear-water streams, and are perhaps the most important 

 of the minor fur-bearing animals. Most of the larger streams, on 

 account of their glacial origin, are usually quite muddy, and mink 

 do not frequent them. The best mink region in the interior is that 

 drained by the Porcupine and Chandlar Rivers, northwest, north, 

 and northeast of Fort Yukon, and the Kantishna region south of 

 Tanana. The lower Yukon tundra region is also good for mink, 

 which are also common on the tributaries of the Koyukuk, though 

 not much trapping has as yet been done in that region because of the 

 unusual expense involved. 



Skins from the interior of Alaska are usually dark chocolate in 

 color; those from the tundra region are usually reddish brown, though 

 a few of the one color may be found in the territory of the other. 



The fur in the interior begins to become prime about the last of 

 October, and by the middle of November most of the animals will 

 have prime fur. However, even as late as November 15, an occasional 

 animal will have an unprime skin. December skins are the best, the 

 fur being heavier and darker than earlier or later. Spring skins 

 never have the fur or desirable color that fall skins have. Late in 

 March the fur begins to bleach and the fresh glossy appearance 

 fades. By April 15 the guard hairs begin to fall out, the under^ 

 parts become worn, and the fur becomes thinner. Continued cold 

 weather and higher latitude or altitude will, of course, prolong the 

 period of primeness. 



Continuous and deep snows interfere seriously with trapping in 

 December, at the very time when the furs are at their best. Trap- 

 ping is then very difficult, the traps frequently becoming frozen up, 

 covered with snow and lost. But the energetic, resourceful trapper 

 who can endure the hardships of the rigorous climate, and keep in 

 touch with his traps, is quite sure to make profitable catches of 

 high-grade furs. 



For mink the trapper sets his traps along the smaller streams, 

 for it is there that the mink wander in search of small fish of which 

 they are particularly fond. The mink may be taken either on the 

 land or in the water. Experts usually prefer to take them on the 

 land. The trap is set on a projecting point of the bank, or in the 

 water at places where signs indicate that the mink come for fishing. 



The mink wanders far afield. He will wander all along the banks 

 of a stream or pond, explore every nook and corner, and all the little 

 brooks and ditches emptying into larger streams. Traps are there- 

 fore often set on fallen trees and on logs across small streams. 



