For years I gave away my predator harvests to my hunting companions. My only motivation for predator hunting was the challenge and enjoyment involved. I felt good knowing others appreciated receiving my pelts and knowing that my harvests would not go to waste.
However, one year when I was not working and needed any money my pelts could offer. Out of necessity, I kept and sold the fifty red fox and several grey fox I harvested predator hunting that season. In doing so, I quickly realized the value of fur. I have been selling my pelts ever since!
If you do not have the time, expertise, or desire to process your own fur, no worries, you can still earn money for the value of your pelts. It is relatively easy to find a trapper or fur buyer who will skin, stretch, sew, and dry your pelts for a fee that will still leave you enough money to make a profit from selling your own pelts. Consider picking up a large chest freezer to store you harvests during the season.
In some cases, fur buyers will buy your unprocessed predator carcasses but the money you receive is usually small. Many find it to be a better option either self-process or pay someone to process your furs and then to sell them directly to the North American Fur Auction (NAFA). This often results in receiving the most money for your pelts.
NAFA has several published fur pick up routes each season. Predator hunters can meet their regional route driver at specified advertised times and locations during the season. The representative accepts your pelts and transports them to Canada for sale on the worldwide auction. Several weeks after the pelts have sold at auction, the hunter receives a check in the mail.
How much is a coyote pelt worth?
It depends on several factors such as where the coyote was harvested. Coyotes are sorted and classified as either Eastern (from Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States) or Western. Pelts are further segregated into heavy, semi-heavy, and sometimes flat. Many other considerations such as color and condition determine the final price paid for a particular pelt. However, as the below data illustrates, Western coyotes are typically worth more money than Eastern coyotes.
Average coyote pelt prices paid by NAFA to hunters and trappers from the May 14-20, 2014 auction:
| Fur Classification | Average Price |
| Western Coyote – Heavy | $88.12 |
| Western Coyote – Semi Heavy | $42.92 |
| Eastern Coyote | $22.82 |
Historical average approximate prices paid to suppliers of coyote pelts from 2002 to 2014:
| Year | Price |
| 2002 | $23 |
| 2003 | $34 |
| 2004 | $33 |
| 2005 | $27 |
| 2006 | $24 |
| 2007 | $38 |
| 2008 | $40 |
| 2009 | $24 |
| 2010 | $24 |
| 2011 | $33 |
| 2012 | $50 |
| 2013 | $70 |
| 2014 | $65 |
If you were like me and had not sold your pelts, consider giving it a try this season! Although you may not get wealthy from being a fur supplier, the money you receive goes a long way to offset your fuel expense and gear investment. Getting paid for something you love to do…it doesn’t get much better than that in life!