The Good Life – January-February 2024

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER
The image of a small animal gripped by a large, viscous
trap is one that the anti-trapping campaigners loved to
show in the 1980’s. Trapping is heavily regulated by
each state, with trap styles and methods allowed that are
both safe and humane. Modern trapping uses devices
that either immediately dispatch the target animal, like
snares or body grip traps, or hold the animal until the
trapper arrives, like a foothold trap. There is little to no
discomfort to the animal, and the dispatch is quick and
clean. Lethal traps are set in areas with little chance
of encounters with non-target animals. The trapper
will only make a set where they feel comfortable with
it being safe.
What happens with the pelts once they are ready for
the market? In the modern fur trade, most of the longhaired
pelts, like raccoon, coyote and fox, go overseas
to markets in Europe and Asia. Beaver pelts mostly
stay stateside and are used in the “hatter” market. If
you have ever purchased a high-end Stetson hat, you
are wearing beaver fur. The underwool of the pelt is
pressed into felt and made into hats.
I take a different tact toward fur utilization. I tan
raccoon, muskrat, fox, coyote and skunk at home, and
once I receive my beavers back from the tannery it’s
time to get to work. With much experience in garment
making, I turn the pelts into bespoke mittens, hats and
scarves.
When a customer orders a pair of mittens, the first
thing I do is select matching pelts. The fur thickness,
color and weight must be similar or else the garment
will look uneven.
I trace a pattern on the leather side of the fur, and then
carefully cut through the leather, taking pains not to
chop the fur into a bad haircut look. The palm of each
mitten is cut from tanned and dyed buckskin. I send the
hide of each deer I harvest each fall to a tannery that
turns them into plush leather. After tracing the pattern
on the backside of the leather, I cut the palm out.
I sew all my fur by hand, using razor sharp glovers’
needles and heavyweight braided fishing line. The
fishing line is slick and strong, ensuring the mitten
will hold up to extreme use. Sitting on the couch in my
warm living room, I turn the abstract pieces of fur into
a wearable product.
16 | THE GOOD LIFE