﻿BLUE-FOX FARMING IIT ALASKA 



25 



PELTING 



The business of fox raising is based, on pelt value, and the most 

 successful fox ranchers market some pelts every year. This, of 

 course, can not be clone on islands where the business has just started. 

 In such cases it will be necessary to wait two or three years for the 

 stock to increase. 



It is not good practice to pelt pups, as their skins lack finish both 

 in the fur and in the leather. Occasionally a pup skin of exceptional 

 develojjment sells for a good price, but this is not the rule. It is 

 better for the rancher to carry the 3^oung over until they are at least 

 a year and a half old and the pelt has developed into a more market- 



Fig. 24. — Shipping 



crate for two foxes, made of %-inch material, tougue-and-groove 

 bottom, and 1-inch mesh, 14-gauge wire netting 



able skin. Foxes not desirable for breeders, however, should be 

 pelted at the first opportunity. 



When animals are caught for examination and pelting, those not 

 killed should be marked in order to show that they have been trapped 

 and then released foi- breeding. Males can be marked by clipping a 

 ring of fur around the tail near the body. Females can be marked 

 in the same manner, the ring clipped being near the tip of the tail. 

 Records shoidd be kept of animals i)elted and of those released for 

 breeding. Wherever practicable more females should be left than 

 males. 



PRIMENESS 



Pelts of foxes usually become ])i-ime in November or December, 

 (lej)erifling upon the weather, climate, and feeding. Primeness is 

 the highest perfection of quality in a pelt. When the pelt shows 



