FI SEASON OF
COMING WINTER
IS PROMISING
Within a few weeks another trap
ping season begins. Many are al
ready wondering what fur values
will be. Nearly all raw furs have
been selling at highest prices ever
known during the past year. No one
knows just what prices will be, but
judging from present conditions
(weeks before date of this issue)
prospects are for continued high
prices for most raw furs.
Unless something unexpected hap
pens before November trappers can
feel asured that raw fur values will
be high. Some reports sent out last
spring stating that marten reached
$200; fisher, $175; silver fox, $475J
cross fox, $200; red fox, $50; mink
$15; skunk, black, $8; skunk, long
$5, etc., are apt to be misleading
True, these prices were realized foi
a very few of the very best skins out
of thousands. Many, in fact most
furs of same grade, but not as fine
quality, sold at prices ranging as low
as one-fourth the top.
Most states now7 have laws pro
hibiting hunting and trapping onlj
during the season when fur and pel'
are in best condition. The lawfu
trapping season for land animals ii
usually from about November 15 tc
February 15. Northern localities anc
high mountain range furs are prettj
good by November 1. South anc
southwest land animals are only ii
fair condition a couple of months—De
cember and January. Muskrat, ottei
I
and beaver in most states are best
during February, March and April
Steel traps afre kept by most hard
ware and general stores. It is advisa
ble to lay in your supply now if you
have not already done so. Several
of the fur houses now handle hunters’
and trappers’ supplies and issue a
catalogue. During the past few years
several new steel traps have ap
peared. Just how many traps a trap
per needs and the sizes will depend
upon how extensively trapping is to
be carried on as well as what ani
amls are sought.
Mink, marten, muskrat, skunk,
civet cat and oppossum do not re
quire a strong trap—next to the
smallest size being much used; foxes,
coon and wildcat somewhat larger.
There are special traps and sizes
made for otter, wolf and other ani
mals. Sizes mentioned by manufac
turers and catalogues as adapted to
the various animals are usually about
right, yet if anything a size larger
than necessary. It does not take as
strong or large a trap to hold as gen
erally supposed.
The would-be trapper should al
ways be on the lookout for signs.
Much that will be of value can be
learned by observing the habits of
fur-bearers. Keep an eye open so as
to learn where coyote and fox travel
—whether along ridges, trails, ravines
nyna-;, shrdl cmfw bvgk fiffgkq mf
■ etc. Perhaps they have certain
crossings. In forests watch for the
■ droppings of cats, marten, etc.; in
[ fields and near dens for skunk, civit,
i opossum and aymbe coon mink; mink
i and coon tracks will be seen in the
sand or mud near the water’s edge if
there are any of these animals in the
vicinity.
l A trapper with twro eyes shut can
■ “see at a glance” if there are musk
‘ rat along the streams, ponds or lakes.
Muskrat trappers last season about
cleaned out this animal; at least in
many localities. Prices were so high
that many caught this, fur bearer who
hitherto never bothered setting a trap
for it. *
Muskrat is one article that probably
has been forced too high. Prices ap
peared to be off somewhat in the lat
ter part of April and May from those
paid earlier in the season. Large
quantities are used in making gloves,
gauntlets, fur coats, robes, linings,
etc., while others (mostly the finest,:
silkies? ones) are dyed to imitate seal
for which purposes large quantities
have been used during the past two
years.
The Alaska fur seal herds have
wonderfully increased during recent
years. About 10,000 skins were sold
last April and probably 15,000 will be
sold this fall. Prospects are that
larger quantities will be sold each
year as the herd is now estimated to
contain about 500,000 head. Perhaps
the reason of a somewhat weak under
tone in muskrat value for some time
is the losing out somewhat in the
place it has been holding—a substi
tute for genuine seal, but with greatly
increased seal supply in sight musk
rat will probably continue to ease off
even more.
Now is surely a splendid time to
learn all you can about wolves and
coyotes. Pelts are selling well, and
every one destroyed means a ranch
and game pest less. Trappers who
have caught various kinds of fur ani
mals say that the timber wolf and
coyote are the shrewdest of all, yet
at last spring sales more than 100,000
pelts were sold. Prices ranged from
about $25 for for a few of the best
No. 1 fine furred skins down to 20
and 25 cents for Nos. 3 and 4. Per
haps half of the total offering was
No. 2 or lower, which indicates that
this animal is killed regardless of fur
condition much omre than other fur
bearers. Many thousands are also
killed whose pelts are not taken al
though scalped.
Many fur animals, the pelt of |
which does not mean nearly so much !
to trappers as does the coyote, are
rapidly decreasing. Coyotes live
largely in the open country, are
trapped, shot, poisoned, hunted with
dogs, but still seem to be numerous.
Their pelts during the past year or
so have been selling at much higher
prices than usual. Quantities sold
dealers and in the various sales have
been much larger than formerly. Just
what this means is as yet unknown. ;
Tt may mean greatly reduced numbers
caught season of 1919-1920 with pre
vious seasons. If prices hold to last,
year’s figures and catch is equal then
the supply has not been greatly re
duced by trappers making an extra
effort after coyote.
Close observers of the raw fur
supply find that when any article ad
vances much over former values
the supply is soon diminished.
Take mink, for instance, which several
years ago greatly advanced when
trappers went after mink as never
before. In a few years the supply |
was greatly reduced. Coon and
muskrat were both high last season
and much sought for. Reports in
dicate a short supply for the coming
season.
Can coyote withstand the usual
onslaught and the increased catch
and kill by hunters and trappers?
Other fur animals have not been able
to do so for any length of time. True,
bounty, offered in some states, has
been as much or more than the fur
value for years, but it seems that a
trapper would rather catch coyote and
sell the pelt for $10 to a fur dealer
than to scalp and secure $10. In
some states there is considerable red
tape required before the $10 bounty
is secured. Pur dealers, on the other
hand, are usually prompt in sending
returns including check.
Coyote are fond of beef, mutton,
pork and poultry. They are also fond
of horse flesh and often eat tainted
flesh readily. Many coyote are caught
at “blind sets” without bait or scent
by experienced trappers, although
a good scent has drawing qualities.
The following is recommended: Place
a half pound of raw beef or venison in
a wide-mouthed bottle and let stand
for several weeks or until it is de
cayed, having an offensive odor. Do
not place in the sun. When decom
posed add a quart of some oil—lard
will do. Prairie dog oil is excellent
and much better than lard. Now add
a half ounce of assafoetida dissolved
in alcohol with an ounce of beaver
castor. If beaver castor cannot be
had an ounce of the common musk
sold for perfumery will answer. Mix
thoroughly and bottle securely until
used.
Numerous scent preparations are
now made and on the market. These
are put up in bottles or cans with in
structions showing how to use. Some,
however, may wish to experiment in
making their own scent and the re
cipe as given is much used by govern
ment employes. It takes several
weeks for the meat to decompose as
it should so that this should not be
delayed if you wish to try scent of
this mixture at the beginning of the
season.
A fox scent is made from musk
glands of muskrat and the scent bag
and scent of a skunk mixed with a
half pint of animal oil, such as lard.
Oil made from the fat of prairie dog,
skunk, or coon is probably better than
lard. This is a loud-smelling mixture
and can be used in connection with
both bait and blind sets.
Another scent that is used by some
trappers for mink, coon, etc., is fish
oil. This is made by placing several
small fish in a bottle and placing in
the sun for an hour or so daily until
l
an oil forms. The fish should be cut
into several pieces so as to decay
sooner. A few drops is used at each
set. Some think that anise oil has
attractive power for coon and per
haps other animals.
rnese ana otner aruncuu lures
and scents are recommended by
many good trappers, while others sel
dom use them. Bait, not scent, such
as fowl, fish, rabbit, meat of various
kinds are much used not only by steel
trap trappers but the deadfall trap
per as well. That bait attracts is
proved from the fact that marten,
mink, skunk, coon, opossum and
other fur animals are caught in sets
often rods from any den.
While there is no question but that
both scent and bait are a help in tak
ing fur animals, care in making the
set is equally if not more important.
There are some sets for fox and
coyote where best results will be had
if neither are used. Knowing the
habits and nature of animals has
much to do with successful trapping.
Try the Club Billiard Hall for
golden, silver and royal fizzes. 23-tf
We always have a supply of
pasteurized sweet milk and cream on
hand. Also buttermilk and Bulgarian
buttermilk. City Dairy. Phone 187.
Best coffee in town at the City
Bakery. 2-6t
Home portraits of quality. Agency
Cordova drug store. Scarborough, pho
tographer. ! 14-tf
Electric irons, 3 pounds to 6^2
pounds. Prices $3.50 to $6.50 at the
Northwestern Hardware Company.
No one should be without an elec
tric plate, especially the kind with 3
different heats. Northwestern Hard
ware Company.
If you do not receive your copy of
the Times regularly, please notify the
circulation manager.
Special dinner served from 11:30
o’clock every day at the City Bakery.
COAL PRICES
Owing to a raise in the freight rates
on coal and also the price of coal at
the mine, aggregating $2.35 per ton,
the following schedule of prices on
coal takes effect today for the town
of Cordova:
Per ton
Loads, not east of Second st...$17.50
Ton loads east of Second st... 18.00
Ton loads, Third avenue. 18.50
Ton loads, Fourth avenue. 19.00
Half-ton bulk, Second avenue.. 10.00
Half-ton bulk, Third and Fourth
avenues . 10.50
Ton sacked coal . 21.00
Ton sacked coal, Third avenue 21.50
Ton sacked coal. Fourth avenue 22.00
Half-ton sacked, Second avenue 11.00
Half-ton sacked, Third avenue 11.25
t-■- --
Half-ton sacked, Fourth avenue 11.50
Single sack, Second avenue... 1.55
Single sack, Third avenue. 1.60
Single sack, Fourth avenue.... 1.65
ALASKA TRANSFER CO.
September 29, 1919.
fpfiaJ tq OCDC
Attention | p j y
We are buying all kinds of furs
and will pay the highest prices. Don’t
send your furs Outside before you
see me. We also make up all kinds
of furs and remodel in the latest
styles. They will be made right here.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
L. M. STEEINE, Tailor.
In connection with F. N. Hubbert.
Tonight at 8 Sharp
MAY ALLISON
In the Five-Act Comedy Drama
1ER
INSPIR
ATION
An Amusing Plot—One that You Will Enjoy
—.. - •
Mr. D. Fairman at the Organ
_
Tomorrow—This program will be repeated
————-——.— -
Arrived Last Boat
CHILDREN’S STOCKINGS
Plain, three pairs for $1.00
Drummer Boy, 50c
LADIES'—Silk, 50c and 75c
LADIES’—Plain, 3 for $1.00
Children’s Dresses, $2.00 up.
Tablecloths on sale yet.
THE REGENT
(MRS. JOHN NELSON)
Across St. from Modern Laundry
KENNY HOLDEN’S
Pool and Billiard Parlors
CIGARS. SOFT DRINKS AND TOBACCO.
FIRST-CLASS BARBER SHOP
IN CONNECTION
MUSIC EVERY NIGHT PHONE 15
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I ■ ’ *" ‘ ■ ’ " . .. ;.*•
I NEW FALL 1'
!| STETSONS J
I ARE HERE
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g You will find much to interest you in the £
g new Stetsons we have selected for your ap- g
jg proval. This season’s models include an un- g
g usually wide range of styles in Soft Hats, g
g Style may be your first requirement in a hat g
g —or good service may be your particular g
| want. The Stetson Quality-mark is your as- g
g surance of both style and service
•x
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1 WILL CLAYSON I
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I'jiillp^ .Ml! i ] i !!|j
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II 111 II B@Sure to Get i
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I , !!f
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'l l ''1 om mm 11!
Sii i i; o£ wax-wrapped
I Sill Mil . . if!,
sealed package h
with WRIGLETS 1
upon it is a guar- !|
antee of quality. |'l
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||
The largest chewing- jj
gum factories in the llj
I:: !
world—the largest i
selling gum in the
- !il|!
world: that is what ijjjji
WPJGJ.EV'S means. l‘!
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SEALED TIGHT jj
KEPT RIGHT 1!
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WRAPPED
IN
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El III il i l U The Flavor Lasts! 1
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| CRANE SERVICE MINING EQUIPMENT PIPE AND FITTINGS MARINE SUPPLIES
MANUFACTURERS, JOBBERS AND REBUILDERS GENERAL MACHINERY j
jj NOTICE.—We are now located in our new building at the Ocean Dock
1 HARMON MACHINERY COMPANY, INC.1
I CORDOVA. ALASKA
I————- f
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