Author Topic: Cat prices (Read 694 times)

oso lento · « **on:** January 13, 2004, 05:53:17 AM »

with the sale yesterday. and cats not selling. what will that do to cat prices? Or is there something i didn't understand about the auction?

rascal (Joe Duncan) · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2004, 10:11:40 AM »

Oso;
Anyones guess really, but my take on it is that the "big boys" are squeezing and are hoping to get the cats cheap. But, I also think that one auction results does not a market make. Next auction, they may go high or not sell again. If the supply is depleted, then the demand will be up. Just like them hogs you raise :lol: Kenny Rogers said "know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em" -- right now, I think if I didn't feel the auction reflected the true market value, I might be inclined to "hold'em". Look at auctions results over the past few years and normally there will be an upward trend in the spring sales. All the early, semi-prime goods are off the market and the better winter goods can move at better prices.

Appleknocker · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2004, 10:15:46 AM »

We had a Michigan auction held in the West Central part of the state last Saturday. Bobcat had a high of $60 and an average of $43. These are Michigan cats which do not stack up to the westerns. My guess was they were also caught in the last half of November.

rascal (Joe Duncan) · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2004, 01:08:51 PM »

Oso & Appleknocker;
The $60 top is what we are hearing around here as well. However, the average is what you have to look at and $40 is about what it is here.
However, my market is not to the fur trade and I get a little better than the top on most all my cats.

oso lento · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2004, 01:12:54 PM »

appleknoker i would have thought that your cats would be a lot better than our kansas cat. i sold mid nov. cats here and had one go for $85. I didn't think in was that great of a cat. i have better cats in the freezer so i hope that your prices are not reflective of whats happening. i hope joe is on the money with this. the last time i talk to the local buyer he said that he thought that cats were on the way down and where over priced now. For the most part i think that he is full of it!

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2004, 05:58:07 PM »

I don't want to rain on anyones parade but I heard that there were many cats still at the end users from last year. The thoughts were that last years prices were inflated on both yotes and cats and that there would be adjustments this year. I, like all of you hope this is in error but...

Corey Hain · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2004, 05:43:35 AM »

From what i have gathered from various sources, it sound like the cats should be about the same level as last year, except for the really good cats out of the west, they thought those cats would drop some. Last year i averaged aprox $90.00 on my cats with a high of $150.00 and a low of$40.00. I live in the southeast corner of Nebraska, and all of my cats went to NAFA last year. fwiw. Corey

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2004, 11:17:12 AM »

I had the occassion to chat with another trapper today. A traveling fur buyer out of Globe Az (I believe) was giving $285 for NM cats earlier this month. If that is the average it is down about $75 from last year. Note I'm sorta comparing oranges and mink here since I wasn't there to see the size and quality of the cats and this is a different buyer than I use.

As far as coyotes go, Cox really wasn't in a hurry to by yotes and was topping out at $35 (last year $55). The buyer from Az was topping at $40 on the same goods.

Now you know what I know ...and it ain't very much

oso45-70 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2004, 05:36:10 PM »

wacky, I've got a question, does garcia and son from california still buy
furs? In 1974 and 75 i used to sell all my cats to them as they payed about the best at that time, the reaeon i asked is my son is trapping the mountianaire area and he has been dealing with cox who has been more than fair, i used to sell my fox a yotes to cox or mass and stephens out of st. louis,,,, i think thats where they were. any way if you know any thing about the people in cal. would you let me know, thanks,,
watch where you step, joe

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2004, 01:21:30 AM »

I do not know of Garcia. However, there was a Ca buyer at the Farmington sell last year along with Terry Montgomery and Globe. The fellows from Globe are making there rounds through the state monthly now. I deal with Cox and they have always been fair to me also.

dughunt · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2004, 04:08:35 PM »

Hey, Here's a thought. Many taxidermists look for nice cats to mount[for competitions and displays]. I've purchased a couple myself cuz we don't have any in our area to trap. I've paid $95 for large michigan cat, to use for comp. mount. Also,taxidermists prefer to have the entire cat so they can take accurate body measurements or castings. Some of you lucky[skillful] cat guys could tap into that market by getting on some taxidermy sites! Care should be taken to prevent freezer burn on the ears, wrap the head good. if you take pictures of the cat close up and fresh,that would help sell. Good luck!