118 RURAL MICHIGAN 



Biological Survey of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture estimated, on the basis of incomplete 

 information, the investment in the silver fox ranches 

 in Michigan at $522,785, and that these ranches 

 were stocked with some 661 animals. This is re- 

 garded as an under-estimate. Muskegon on the 

 Lake Michigan side of the southern peninsula has 

 become one of the most important centers of fox 

 farming in the United States, while a beginning in 

 this industry was made, in 1920, at Houghton and 

 ]\Iarquette. Fox farming in Michigan has become a 

 well-established industry. 



The preservation of fur-bearing animals is in- 

 volved in the movement for greater forest protection, 

 since the forest and cut-over lands provide for wild 

 life of many kinds. It is recognized to some extent 

 that the destruction of the forest and bush areas 

 by fire means the removal of game and a valuable 

 trafTic arising therefrom. Skins of bear and beaver, 

 mink, otter and other small fur-bearers, usually are 

 marketable at a good price. A list of fur quotations 

 from January, 1920, places the price of a lynx 

 skin at $12 to $20, wildcat from $3 to $5, wolf at 

 $15 to $25, to which was added (until 1921) a bounty 

 of $35 for his destruction as a noxious animal. Mink 

 skins were quoted at $12 to $16, skunk at $1.50 to 

 $8, weasel from $0.50 to $2, and muskrats, a leader 

 in the market, at $3 to $4. Bear pelts, and bears are 

 not uncommon in the north Michigan woods, were 

 salable at $20 to $40, marten at $25 to $35, and 

 raccoon at $5 to $9. Ordinary foxes went at $15 



