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Wildlife Branch
Furbearer Primeness
An important part of setting furbearer seasons is to coincide with the time when pelts are prime. In a fully prime pelt, both the guard hairs and the under-fur have reached optimum length and density.
On the leather side of the pelt, the hair roots have stopped producing pigment and contract, resulting in a skin that is soft, flexible and creamy white. In an un-prime skin, the under-fur and guard hairs are not fully developed and are at low density. The leather is bluish to black as a result of active pigment production in the hair roots.
Furs harvested at prime bring better prices. Trappers should harvest fur when prime it is prime.
