March 12, 2018

Springfield — The first couple of wild fur sales of interest to Illinois trappers occurred in January. For several important Midwestern species, the market holds some promise over last year’s prices and clearances. Reports of a reduced harvest may yet buoy prices. Certain items are definitely hot, particularly coyotes – even Illinois coyotes. Fur Harvester’s

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. — Although waterfowl populations have been high in recent years, there is concern from some hunters that mallards and wood duck numbers have slid downhill. Now, whether those lower numbers stem only from liberal hunting regulations, other factors, or a little of everything, remains open for debate, according to some corners. Jon

Lockport, N.Y. — Scott Witter didn’t even hunt turkeys until the spring of 2009. How, then, has the Lockport (Niagara County) man soared from a neophyte turkey hunter nearly 10 years ago to one of the top turkey callmakers in the country? There are several reasons, actually. A lengthy history as a talented woodworker, a

Alma, Wis. — From late-winter into early spring, thousands of Midwest ice anglers seeking jumbo yellow perch have traditionally traveled to lakes of northern Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or the big bays of the Great Lakes. Pssst. That kind of traveling may no longer be necessary. While those hotspots still produce impressive catches of