I just got my annual State Of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department questionaire.
This particular questionaire is sent to all holders of Montana Trappers Licenses.
Each years questionaire has a table of recent average pelt prices at auction.
Coyote pelts average prices during the winter of 2,010/2,011 were listed at an impressive $73.16!
I think I left about $731.60 worth of pelts laying on the ground last season!
My Coyote Hunting plans and policies may just change for the upcoming winter!
I buy a Montana Trappers License every year to allow me to Rifle Hunt Bobcat and Wolverine.
No license is needed in Montana to Hunt Red Fox or Coyote.
Some of the average pelt prices at auction I will list along with the prices from recent previous years to show the trend.
Coyote:
2,008/2,009 = $30.70
2,009/2,010 = $35.29
2,010/2,011 = $73.16
Bobcat:
2,008/2,009 = $281.35
2,009/2,010 = $346.54
2,010/2,011 = $411.84
Red Fox:
2,008/2,009 = $21.59
2,009/2,010 = $22.34
2,010/2,011 = $24.37
Wolverine:
2,008/2,009 = $254.67
2,009/2,010 = $211.42
2,010/2,011 = $253.15
On this forum (and so many others!) I have recently seen where folks state that Coyote pelt prices are such that they aren't worth saving - well at $73.16, in this economy, I think more folks are going to be saving and processing Coyote pelts.
I have two friends who sell tanned wild creature pelts here in SW Montana at their stores - these pelts include everything from Ermine to Mink to Fisher along with Coyote, Fox, Badger, Marten, Beaver and others.
They virtually sell out every year!
Granted these sales are to "tourist" type folks as opposed to the commercial furriers of decades past but a cash sale IS still a cash sale!
Fur friendly bullets anyone?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
