244 FUR FACTS 



most common, the red fox being found in nearly every state in 

 the Union and it is the ambition of most fur buyers to buy red fox 

 and add it to their collection. In most cases the inexperienced buyer 

 overpays for his first red fox. When you buy a red fox examine 

 the fur carefully, look for rubbed and damaged spots; if the pelt is 

 prime the fur will stand up and have life and gloss; if it is of poor 

 quality the fur will lay flat; if the pelt is blue you may be sure the 

 fur has not fully developed. Size is important but a fox skin that 

 is large in size but poorly furred and blue pelted will grade a num- 

 ber two, three or four. Grey foxes trapped at the right season of 

 the year are usually full furred. The fur is coarse and wiry and is not 

 likely to have rubbed spots like the red fox which fur is very much 

 softer and silkier than the grey fox. Case all foxes fur side out and 

 stretch as shown in illustration. > 



BEAVER 



In quite a few of the States beaver are protected the year around 

 and must not be trapped. There is no market for skins illegally 

 or unlawfully taken. However, where there is an open season for 

 beaver, it is a very profitable article for the trapper and the same 

 general rules apply to the grading and valu- 

 ing of beaver as to the other kinds, except 

 that they are stretched open and round, and 

 not cased. 



In the old days beaver were sold by the 

 pound, as they were largely used to make 

 beaver hats, but now they are graded into 

 the standard grades the same as the other 

 furs and the thickness and quality of the 

 fur determines the value, as'well^asjthe size 

 of the pelt. Color is not important in beaver; the size and thickness 

 of the under fur is of most importance. Beaver is one of the few furs 

 that are stretched open as shownjinjthe illustration. 



OTTER 



The otter is one fur bearing animal that is becoming scarce in all 

 sections. Trappers and hunters should realize this fact and not hunt 

 the otter out of season or shoot them for sport at any season of the 

 year. Otter is a splendid fur, the finer skins are almost black in 



color. Many otters are sing- 

 ed, that is the tip of the guard 

 hair has a slight curl caused 

 by the animal sunning itself. The size and color is important and 



