About the Fur Table
The Thompson Fur Table was one of several such events initiated in late 1970's by provincial staff to provide northern trappers with a unique opportunity to get better prices for their raw pelts. The two day Table is traditionally held a week or so before Christmas and has had over 300 trappers attend. It has been the only such event in Canada and is now organized by the Manitoba Trappers Association.
Up to 5 licensed fur dealers gather annually in one hall and inspect each trapper’s lot of fur. Each dealer provides a quote for the lot and the trapper selects the best price. In this way the trapper benefits from the on-site competitive demand for their furs.
The December timing of the Fur Table also allows families from all over the north to meet with distant friends, learn about new furbearer harvest and management techniques, and do some shopping before returning to their communities. Hundreds of thousand of dollars are injected into the local economy.
2020 Fur Table - (COVID Notice)
Due to COVID-19 Provincial Guidelines, and Health and Safety measures, the annual Fur Table will take place as a scaled down event this year. The event is tentatively scheduled to take place Friday, December 18th from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, at the Thompson Regional Community Centre. The Fur Table will be open to trappers only. All precautions, hand washing, mandatory mask wearing, social distancing will be in place. This event may be cancelled on short notice pending Provincial protocols such as northern travel restrictions. For more information and further notifications, go to manitobatrappers.com or call the office at 204-295-1512.
Oswald Hudson Memorial Award
Manitoba Conservation annually presents the Oswald Hudson Memorial Award to a trapper who has demonstrated excellence in trapping and fur handling.
In 2015 the trapper selected was Wayne Lavallee of Easterville. The award was presented by Darryl Hedman of Manitoba Conservation.
Some Statistics...
- The 2015 fur tables were attended by 139 trappers, with fur sales of $247,078 There were 1/3 fewer trappers than last year, but only 8% less marten. The 3418 marten that were brought in averaged $65 for a total of $222,170 The number of wolverine (21) was a fur table record, with previous highs of 18 in 2013 and 1986.
- 2010 brought a late freeze up followed by stormy travel conditions during the fur table. However, 122 trappers attended, and received $155,216 for their efforts.
- For 2012 the 207 trappers at the Fur Table realized an average of $683,559 for their furs, the highest dollar value in the past 30 year of this event. A total of 6875 Marten brought excellent prices.
- The 2013 fur table brought 219 trappers who had fur sales of $618,252. There were 4823 marten sold or consigned to auction.( Marten peaked in 2013 at 6875). Number of Arctic Fox was higher at 82 - only 14 pelts brought in last year.
- The 2014 fur table brought 211 trappers who had fur sales of $239,421. There were 3712 Martens sold or consigned to auction with an average price of $50.