Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - The tradition of trapping is continuing in the Deh Cho.

James Gibb, left, with Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. demonstrates a technique for skinning lynx at a Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs workshop held in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Last year a total of 138 trappers sold 3,583 pelts through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs marketing program.

"Not everybody's trapping but it's still a good lifestyle," said Francois Rossouw who works in fur marketing for the government of the Northwest Territories.

Trappers in Fort Simpson were given an update about the marketing program and practical tips for handling pelts during a workshop that was held in the village on Dec. 3. Approximately 25 people attended the event that was hosted jointly by the departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Since it was started in 2000, the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) program has grown dramatically, said Rossouw. The program maximizes returns to trappers by providing a guaranteed minimum value for all species, eliminating commission and handling charges and giving all sale proceeds directly to trappers, Rossouw said.

Covering shipping costs particularly benefits trappers because the cost of shipping can be greater than the value of the fur.

"The price of shipping fur out of the North is ridiculous," he said.

The most significant part of the program, however, is the brand logo, he said. The logo lets buyers know that the fur is from the territory and is in prime condition, well handled and humanely trapped, said Rossouw.

The Deh Cho used to be very active with trappers but numbers have declined in the past few years, he said. Rossouw attributes some of the decline to residents around Fort Liard who left trapping when oil and gas was being developed near the community. People could start coming back to trapping, he said. A second workshop was scheduled to be held in Fort Liard on Dec. 4.

In total, pelts from the Deh Cho accounted for 12 per cent of the value of fur sales in the NWT in 2006-07. A total of $223,865.14 was made in fur sales in the area.

Most of the money was made from marten pelts.

"It's the cash crop," said Rossouw.

With an average price ranging from $70.48 in Fort Liard to $76.80 in Jean Marie River the 2,374 pelts sold last year accounted for $172,797.95 of the total fur sales.

Marten prices have risen steadily over the past few years, Rossouw said.

"Marten is a million dollar business in the NWT," he said.

So far the market prices for pelts this year are uncertain, because the pelts sell in US dollars and the exchange rate at the time of the sale could have an effect on returns, he said.

"We're waiting to see what's going to happen this year," he said.

To get the highest possible price for a pelt it's important the fur is handled properly, said James Gibb with Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.

Gibb provided tips on pelt handling during the workshop.

Using a standardized board size can help increase the value of a pelt because it allows trappers to measure the length of the pelt and how far it could be stretched. Pelts are sold at standardized lengths so if a pelt can properly be stretched to the next size it will be worth more money, said Gibb.

Gibb cautioned that over stretching a pelt would result in a reduced value.

Using a standardized board also improves the appearance of the pelts.

"It makes them uniform in appearance," said Gibb.