Throwback
Chief Big Taw
This was posted in a Facebook page today from a Mississippi fur auction. 
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Recent fur prices
- Thread starter Throwback
- Start date
At those prices, castors are all I would be targeting.
furtaker
Senior Member
I'm gonna start targeting possums.
Permitchaser
Senior Member
So what’s the difference in Castors and beavers
Geno67
Senior Member
That's so sad. Can't even buy traps on that - let alone fuel, bait, food.
Throwback
Chief Big Taw
Castors are the beavers castors.
“Beaver” means beaver fur.
Wayne D Davis
Senior Member
Beaver anal juice
Castors are the glands located in a beavers abdomen that they use to mark their territory with. Castor has a strong but not a bad smell. When I do classes with school kids their most common remark is "It smells like new tires!". The other most common remark is, "It smells like beef jerky!". So if you can imagine a combination of those two or something in between you'll pretty much know what it smells like. The beavers scientific name is actually Castor canadensis. The castors (they are paired) are hung up to dry and bought/sold by the pound. Takes a HEAP of dried castors to make a pound. Dried they will last indefinetly and seem to smell stronger as they age. Pound them to a powder and add to any trapping bait. Strong medicine! Every critter is attracted to castor.
To mark their territory beavers pile up mud and leaves and deposit castor on it. This is called a castor mound. Some in traditional sites can be 18" to two feet high. Use castor from a beaver from one colony in the territory of a different colony and expect an immediate reponse! I made a castor set near a bank lodge in a farm pond and in less than 15 minutes had a beaver thrashing in a snare! HEAP STRONG MEDICINE!
Castor is used for several things but one is as a fixative in fine perfumes!
THANKS FOR POSTING!
True but you and I know how much work would go into making the $64/pound TOP price. Many, many beavers and the buyer finding every reason under the sun to discount the price. You know the drill! Probably wind up making about 6.4 cents an hour (or .64 cents/hr) for $64 !
Dang !!! I could of made almost $100 in 3 weeks , no actually I could of put 100 towards the $400 I spent , not counting a few tanks of gas !
There you go!
And folks think you should trap for free. They think you're getting rich!
Doug B.
Senior Member
Way more money going out than coming in for sure! But I do feel like I made a difference in the number of predators, so that makes me feel like it was somewhat worth it. Plus, I did have a great time!
"... did have a great time!"
That's what counts. And besides if it's in you what you gonna' do?
Doug B.
Senior Member
No stopping now! I'm thankful that I was born to this way of life!
Seeing this thread is bringing back an old fever that I though had died back in 1985. I just might bring out my old traps and step back into it next season. I can tan the furs for my own use.
Big7
The Oracle
Besides trapping, what other things does "this way of life" mean? Do you live off the land? Just curious.
I can`t answer for him, but to me it is kinda hard to describe. It`s more than the hunt, more than the trapping,. It`s belonging out there more than being anywhere else. It`s being more comfortable out there alone or with a few trusted, like-hearted people. It`s trying to see every sunrise and sunset from the wild places. It`s the respect for all this that God has placed in our care. It`s the thrill and sadness of a kill.....
I could go on all night, but no need. With a little thought, most will understand.
