measure should be of some relief as there is a lengthy period of idleness experi- 

 enced by them in years of a late break-up. 



The Ontario Trappers' Association Fur Sales Service held five sales at their 

 North Bay warehouse with continued success. Sales were December 12th, Jan- 

 uary 27th, February 27th, April 9th and June 1st. Further quantities of fur 

 arrived at the warehouse after the final sale and with the trappers' consent a 

 bulk shipment was made to Winnipeg to be sold at their June 26th sale. Ship- 

 ments and pelt volume increased by 35% and dollar volume by only 28% due 

 to the slight price decrease on some species. Beaver dominated the sales making 

 up over 65% of the volume. Mink and Muskrat accounted for 22% and Otter, 

 always popular, 6%. Fisher, Marten, Fox, Lynx, Weasel, Squirrel and Wolf 

 amounted to 7%. Strong interest was shown by some of the buyers in the ship- 

 ments of castoreum (dried beaver glands). Trappers taking more than average 

 quantities of beaver could add tidy sums to their trapping income by salvaging 

 castoreum from beaver carcasses. 



Ontario can be proud of its wild furs. Quantities and quality taken each 

 year by its trappers are impressive on any fur market. Organized trapping and 

 pelting demonstrations have encouraged the trapper to take the bulk of his 

 catch at the peak of primeness and present it at its best to receive the full value 

 of his product. Further encouragement along this line can improve on the dis- 

 tinction now held. 



Raw furs have been tanned for displays in Ontario and overseas. At a fur 

 garment fashion show the backdrop display of tanned Ontario wild furs was a 

 high point of the event. Similar promotions could increase the interest in the 

 beauty of our furs and stimulate our markets. 



Beaver — Continues to retain the prominent position in catch and revenue. 

 Yearly catch figures have remained over the one hundred thousand mark since 

 1950-51. There is nothing to indicate equal records in the past on such a sus- 

 tained basis. 



Mink — Even with the decrease in prices paid and quantities caught it re- 

 mains one of our more valuable furs. Though barely similar it has suffered some 

 competition from the tremendous quantities of ranch mink produced here and 

 in Europe. Production is down approximately 25% from last years figure. Some 

 study is contemplated of parasitic infestation and its effect as to population and 

 pelt quality. 



Muskrat — ^Nearly 85% of the catch is produced below the line of the 

 French and Mattawa Rivers with the greatest numbers being taken by districts 

 bordering Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Muskrat were down in production and 

 price for the past three years but an uptrend of 25% was experienced this year 

 with a rise of 80% in price. 



Otter — During the years when beaver were scarce the production records 

 showed otter down to less than one-half of the present figures. With the return 

 of the beaver, otter reached the 7,000 mark and has remained in the neighbour- 

 hood with little change for the past twelve years. Prices received have varied 

 very little over the same period. 



Fox and Raccoon — ^Neither have been protected as fur-bearers for several 

 years and, especially in the case of the raccoon, more are taken by the hunter 

 than the trapper. Rabies infection and organized hunts reportedly have reduced 

 the fox population to a low point. Both have increased in price with fox at the 

 $3.50 mark and raccoon at the $3.00 mark. 



Fisher and Marten — Even though Ontario is the major producer of fisher, 

 the numbers produced and value have little bearing on the trapper's economic 



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