Fur Management 



Beaver remains the most important fur-bearer in Ontario. 

 Beaver populations are generally stable, although they may 

 be down slightly in some areas of Patricia East and perhaps 

 also in the Pembroke District. The slight drop in beaver 

 harvest, though not particularly significant, is attributed to 

 the drop in market value. 



The mink situation has been a source of concern for the 

 past four years, with populations dwindling all over the 

 Province. However, there is an encouraging pattern emerg- 

 ing, with noticeable increases of population throughout the 

 northwestern part of the Province, some stabilizing at a low 

 point in the north-central area, while still declining slightly 

 south of the Sudbury and North Bay Districts. It would 

 appear that the return of good populations has started in 

 the north-west and is spreading south and east. An interest- 

 ing development in the fur market appeared during the year 

 when mink pelts, although scarce, still exhibited a decline 

 in prices. 



The long hair furs (fisher, fox, lynx, marten, raccoon) 

 dropped considerably in market value this year, but this 

 appears to represent a return to more realistic prices after 

 a few years of speculation in these pelts. The production of 

 fisher and raccoon appears to be fairly stable, while lynx is 

 still low. Lynx production should begin to recover next year 

 and should provide an increased harvest in 1968-'69. Col- 

 oured fox populations are high enough that there is an 

 increased harvest despite the reduced value. The marten 

 population is still increasing and spreading in most areas, 

 though harvests are many times greater than ever recorded. 

 The muskrat populations are governed principally by water 

 levels, hence patterns vary throughout the Province. Be- 



cause of severe water level fluctuations, populations are 

 down in Fort Frances and Sioux Lookout Districts, but up in 

 Swastika. Lake Erie, Pembroke and Lake Simcoe Districts. 

 The value of muskrat dropped drastically (60%), but the 

 harvest was down only a relatively small amount. 

 FUR FARMING 



The first and largest part of the 1966 ranch-raised mink crop 

 was offered in December auctions to a very depressed fur 

 market. Buyer attendance was lighter and a selective 

 demand at substantially lower prices compared to the 1965 

 crop sales. 



Good quality, dark and pastel mink, declined 25% and 15% 

 respectively, with little demand or interest shown in either 

 type. Light Blue, Dark Blue, Pearl and Beige types declined 

 20% to 30%, with limited interest shown. 

 Reserve limits based 10% below 1965 prices — the decline 

 which was anticipated — and resulted in a large number 

 of buy backs. Turnover at the initial sales ran 50% to 70%. 

 The cause of the sharp decline in the market is attributed 

 to a number of factors. The mild recession in the economy 

 of the large mink-consuming countries, and the decline in 

 the stock market restricting the sale of garments at the 

 retail level. The world production of mink approached the 24 

 million mark, a factor which ensured buyers a plentiful 

 supply of pelts throughout the year and which could extend 

 into the 1967 crop year. 



As of March 1, 1967, 80% of the 1966 Canadian ranch mink 

 production was sold. However, as it is estimated that only 

 35% to 40% of the world production was sold at this date, 

 it is almost a certainty that a large carry-over will exist when 

 the 1967 crop comes to market. The prospects, therefore, 

 for the next selling season do not look bright. 



Table 18 



ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 



SUMMARY OF DISTRICT FUR RETURNS 1966-1967, RECORD OF CATCH AND VALUE BY DISTRICTS 



•*- S. 0£ . 



8,988 $331.64 $2,980,837.88 143,776 3,016 4,581 1,167 26,591 23,964 359,142 6,928 11,797 7,490 7,721 576 128 1,369.00 

 $38,514.32 $28,976.61 $195,546.24 $142,716.80 $1,722.70 $3,404.16 $5,968.84 

 51,926,598.40 $26,798.85 $211,398.45 $355,550.58 $38,576.19 $2,316.30 $2,749.44 



