Business thrives for Missouri furriers

The fur industry is alive and well in Missouri, as shown by furriers across the state, including Bud Keller, Collins, who has been buying and shipping furs since 1967.

Keller, 86, said, "I became interested in furs when I was just a kid. My father took me hunting.

"I messed with furs and liked to fool with them. That was the start of being a furrier."

From earliest times, fur has been a prized commodity. Exploration in the New World made furs more readily available.

As early as 1530, regular shipments of beaver pelts were sent to Europe from the colonies. The beaver, trapped by Native Americans, was a main source of barter at trading posts that later grew into cities like Saint Louis.

Some fur companies, like the Taylor Fur Company, still exist today.

Keller said, "The Conservation Department issued about 250 permits to furriers back in 1980, but this year, there were only around 40 permits issued. Prices have always fluctuated, from year to year.

"When I first started, some pelts that were priced at $3, became worth $30 later, but came back down, soon after."

Keller's largest buyer of the furs is China.

However, Keller said, "China has gotten us in trouble. For the past several years, they had not been paying taxes, but now, they got caught, so they aren't doing much this year.

"If they do buy anything, they will have to pay taxes from all that they smuggled out. I also send furs to other countries, including Russia, although most of the furs were going to China. The United States doesn't use much fur, partly because of protest from animal right groups and increasing popularity of artificial fur."

The top pelts Keller has received are raccoon, followed by coyote and bobcat. At one point in his business, Keller was processing 60,000 pelts a year and was employing 12 workers. The number of bobcats bought by Keller has risen sharply, in recent years. Last year, he bought more than 400 bobcat pelts.

Most of the furs brought to his shop, in Collins, are taken by trappers, but hunters, especially raccoon hunters, also bring in many pelts. Keller said the number of trappers in the area has increased, but the number of pelts taken by hunters has decreased.

Prices for furs vary greatly, by species. At a February Fur Auction in 2012, Coyotes ranged from 25 cents to $30, Bobcat prices ranged from $15 to $155, with the average of $74.10. On the low end, Opossum went for a range from 10 cents to $10, with an average of 89 cents.

Male mink went for $8 to $25.50, while raccoon prices ranged from 25 cents to $26. Each species varies in value, from year to year, depending on fashion demands and the supply of available furs.

Missouri has been an important state in the fur industry. In the 30 years between 1920 and 1950, money paid to trappers was more than the original price of the entire Louisiana Purchase. Today, the fur harvest in Missouri is valued at more than $8.5 million, annually.

There are some 10,000 individual trappers in the state. Starting in December, when fur is at it's prime, trappers get active.

Most trappers enjoy trapping as a hobby, but fur prices have an influence on trapping participation. In years past, people depended on trapping to provide food and clothing.

Trapping regulations are determined by the Missouri Department of Conservation. A permit is required to trap, possess and transport fur-bearing animals in Missouri.

Types of traps that are acceptable are listed in the Missouri Department of Conservation's Wildlife Code.