Another trapping season has passed and finally, in February , fur auction sales received substantial price increases for most furbearers. Beaver , otter , fisher , marten , mink , muskrat , and especially weasel showed significant price increases while coyote and fox remained mostly stable. Lynx cats remained high while raccoons did not recover from their discouraging low price. However trappers’ hopes were short lived as May auction sales showed resistance and adjustments with price declines in most items except muskrat and fisher that reached new highs and lynx cats that remained stable. The big surprise was with otter that found unexpected resistance. For the past several years , the Chinese market has purchased almost 100 percent of the otter production with an increasing demand and with increasing high prices. For some reason , a Chinese government snag has now created difficulties in the import of otters. Hopefully prices will rebound in the fall.
In this report I am going to focus on the trap tagging issue since most Nova Scotia trappers need more information about this upcoming requirement. In the 2005 Summary of the Nova Scotia Fur Harvesting Regulations , on page 3 ( item # 5 ), trappers were advised that : “ Beginning October 15 , 2006 , fur harvesters will be required to clearly mark an identification number on their traps or snares.” Also , on the wildlife website of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources the following can be found : “Effective October 15 , 2006 , anyone who sets a trap for a furbearing animal must clearly mark his/her unique identification number on the trap or snare . Traps or snares which are set for red squirrel , or for furbearing animals that are being trapped as nuisance wildlife, are exempt.”
To clarify this matter , TANS made inquiries to determine that identification numbers can be marked on traps or on metal tags as attachments to traps and snares. The identification number of a trapper must be either his/her fur harvester code ( example : D 78 ) OR the first nine digits of the ID number on his/her Wildlife Resources Card. Since fur harvester codes are no longer assigned to new trappers , they will have to use the first nine digits of their Wildlife Resources Card. The trapper then has several options for marking traps or tags. Markings can be home made with a stamping set or other tools. Some trappers may wish to order tags stamped with their ID numbers from a manufacturer.
TANS has negotiated with a manufacturer that is anxious to produce numbered tags for Nova Scotia trappers. The company is Ketchum Manufacturing Inc. , 1245 California Avenue , Brockville , Ontario . K6V 7N5 , Phone : ( 613 ) 342-8455 , Fax : (613 ) 342-7550 , e-mail : ketchum@sympatico.ca , website : www.ketchum.ca. This company is recommending the use of their aluminum flat tag KK-1050-081, shape # 3 that is round and 1-3/8 inches wide. The pricing is as follows : 100 to 499 tags at $20.00 per 100 tags ; 500 to 999 tags at $15.00 per 100 tags ; or 1000 + tags at $11.25 per 100 tags. All pricing is FOB Brockville , Ontario. This deal has been negotiated specifically for Nova Scotia trappers for the tag described above.
To order , all you need to do is phone 1-613-342-8455 , indicate that you are a Nova Scotia trapper and provide your name , shipping address , telephone number , Visa or Mastercard number with expiry date , quantity of tags and your “ tag stamping “ identification number. It is recommended that you order as soon as possible to ensure quick delivery. The standard delivery time is 2 to 3 weeks ; however during August , September and October the company is very busy and delivery time could take 4 weeks.
It is quite probable that many trappers , who are not members of TANS , will not receive this message. Hopefully all TANS members will make an effort to advise other trappers. This information should appear on the TANS website at
