Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 14/00) - Following several years of low prices, the fur market may be showing signs of turning around.

According to the Department of Renewable Resources and their fur-marketing partner, L'Heritage Fur Marketing, NWT furs at an auction held in North Bay, Ont., commanded about 20 per cent more overall than they did the same time the previous year.

Although the upswing is promising, for the most part, trappers will not see a significant increase in payment because they already receive a good price up front for quality furs through the Fur Pricing Program (FPP), according to Francois Rossouw, RWED co-ordinator for fur management and traditional economy. However, a continued increase in fur prices would definitely translate into greater profits for trappers in the Deh Cho, he acknowledged. The improved prices at the last auction have been attributed to the low volume of wild fur available on the market and an increased use of fur by fashion designers and increased exposure in fashion magazines.

On average, beaver pelts sold for $25.32, mink fetched $19.24, marten came in at $40.78, muskrat sold for $2.77 and fox went for $23.78. Unfortunately, lynx did not sell at all. RWED and L'Heritage are seeking an alternative market for lynx.

The next auction, which will involve a large number of furs, will be held in Seattle in February, said Rossouw.

The FPP is part of a grants and contribution program, so the funding is guaranteed, he said. To date, the GNWT has been absorbing losses during the lean years.

"That's how the program was designed, that we would buffer the harvester from the market trends and what not," Rossouw said, adding that it's hoped that prices will allow the government to surpass the break-even point this year.

Fort Providence trapper Henry Sabourin said he has collected many furs along his traplines over the past month. Marten and lynx are especially plentiful, he said. Overall, things are better than last year, but Sabourin, who has been trapping for close to 20 years, noted that the early '80s were the best years he can recall in terms of high fur prices.

In terms of volume, renewable resources officers in the Deh Cho have reported solid numbers of furs being turned in by local trappers. This comes on the heels of an exceptionally poor harvest last year, according to Rossouw.

"All we can do is try to encourage people to trap as much as you can, but going head-to-head with the wage economy these days is pretty interesting," he said, adding that trapping, on the other hand, is a great way to supplement an income and beneficial for youth to learn.