Trappers association gathers for auction in Bedford

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February 18, 2007

By JOE GORDEN The Tribune-Democrat Sun Feb 18, 2007, 12:47 AM EST

BEDFORD — Predictions that rising fur prices would cause more interest in trapping seemed to be borne out at last week’s fur auction sponsored by District 5 of the Pennsylvania Trappers Association at the Bedford Fairgrounds.

“At last count, we had 120 different furtakers who brought fur in, which is really great because I think, last year, we had 75 or 80,” said Todd Harteis of Ebensburg, district director. “Some of the prices are up a little bit higher than we thought they would be, and some are lower. That’s just the name of the game.”

Lance Faidley and his younger brother, Landon, brought four red fox, four gray fox, one coyote, 11 raccoon, six opossums, 23 muskrats, five mink and three beaver to the sale, the product of a short trapline near their home on the outskirts of Somerset. Lance Faidley said they are learning the trapper’s art from their uncle, Bryan Stanczyk of Meyersdale.

“This is our second year of trapping and first on the canine line,” Faidley said.

The Somerset High School senior explained that trapping time was limited by school and sports – the brothers are wrestlers. Landon usually checks the traps in the mornings while Lance handles the skinning, fleshing and fur preparation work after school. Their teamwork paid off with $695 from the auction.

“It’s just a fun hobby, something to do,” Lance said. “You can’t really consider it a job with the prices of gas and everything. To break even and have enough money to buy traps is all I’m looking for.”

The heightened interest in furs wasn’t just a one-way street among trappers. A record number of buyers was also on hand.

“We had 11 buyers show up this year,” Harteis said. “That’s the most we’ve ever had. When you have more buyers, you have more competition. The better the competition, the better the prices are for the trappers, and that’s what we’re here for.”

But, there was a downside. More furs meant longer waits between the sale of lots. And, more buyers lenghtened the time necessary to examine lots. That added up to long waits for those who did not get to the fairgrounds well before the doors opened at 7 a.m.

The furs of one Everett trapper, who said he arrived at 6:15 a.m. still had not been auctioned by 2:30 in the afternoon.

The auction didn’t end until well past midnight.

Harteis conceded that the long waits were a drawback of the event.

“We try to get as much fur on the table at one time as we can,” he said. “I think we’re averaging 15 lots. But, it takes about an hour from the time we get the lots on the table until the buyers look at them all, because they have to grade each section of fur. We try to streamline it every year, and this is the best we’ve had.”

Few sellers complained about the wait, however.

Most spent their time catching up with old friends, sharing advice with newcomers and patronizing the kitchen staffed by former District 5 Director Bob Custer, members of his family and a few friends.

Each year, Custer donates the concession profits back to the district.

“You get a bunch of good guys together, they go out and enjoy a sport, and then they get together and have a good day and walk away, hopefully, with what they thought their fur was worth,” Harteis said.

For most, that alone made it a good day.

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