Trapping

New York State is one of the nation’s top producers of wild furs for the commercial fur trade. New York City remains a center for the production and marketing of fur garments.

Trapping provides important benefits to New Yorkers including: the control of nuisance damage, economic benefits to trappers and people involved in the fur industry, and recreation to trappers.

The 14 species of furbearing animals in New York are abundant and their populations are secure. DEC regulates trapping seasons to ensure the continued security of New York’s furbearer populations.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/355.html

Skunk Fur, Why Have We Forsaken You?

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Skunk Fur, Why Have We Forsaken You?

"It’s durable, warm, glamorous and striking. And it comes from an animal that is abundant in the wild, easy to trap, and easy to farm. In short, all the right boxes are checked for a great fur. It was also once the height of fashion. Yet today it’s rarely seen in stores, and a pelt sells for the price of a coffee. This is the conundrum that is skunk fur. Are the fur trade and consumers turning their noses up for no good reason?"

Lawsuit aims to end commercial fur trapping in California

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Lawsuit aims to end commercial fur trapping in California

"Conservation groups, aiming to end California’s dwindling fur trade, filed a lawsuit Wednesday that would force state wildlife authorities to raise license fees to levels required by law to cover the full costs of regulating the trapping, killing and skinning of wild animals.

That would drive the fees so high it would effectively kill off the trade introduced centuries ago by California’s first explorers and settlers, said Camilla Fox, executive director of Project Coyote, one of the plaintiffs."

Muskrats are a Lenten delicacy for some in southeast Michigan

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Muskrats are a Lenten delicacy for some in southeast Michigan

"While the Lenten season usually signals a break from guilty pleasures like red meat, social media or alcohol, some Downriver communities are counting their lucky stars that Muskrats don't fall on that list."

"Yes, Muskrats."

"In fact, Trinity Lutheran Church in Wyandotte still holds an annual Muskrat dinner to kick off the Lenten season. Don't worry, spaghetti is offered as an alternative. "

"The exemption for eating the semi-aquatic rodent falls under a Catholic notion dating back to the 1800s that since Muskrats live in the water, they should be viewed as fish. Hour Detroit Magazine reports the Archdiocese of Detroit said "there is a standing dispensation for Catholics Downriver" to the eat animal on Fridays, even though there is "no documentation."