Montana's furbearers

Fur animals have long influenced human culture and survival.  Native Americans utilized furbearing animals for meat and the insulating qualities of their pelts as protection from the cold Montana winters.  Fur animals like the wolverine were considered spiritually powerful.  In about the year 1500, Europeans began to impact the development of North America through establishment of the fur trade industry.  The fur trade, especially the beaver trade era (1550-1840), played an important part in the exploration and economic development of North America.  The fur trade preceded and opened the way for the mining, forestry, and agricultural frontiers of Montana.  Today Montanans value these animals for their fur and also consider them an important resource for wildlife viewing and general enjoyment.

The following is a guide to help you identify the furbearing animals of Montana.  Included are the nine official Montana furbearers for which annual harvest seasons are established, six predators, and two non-game species.

Badger

Taxidea taxus

Status: Sporadic and limited importance to the fur market.  Abundant.  Unprotected predator.

 

Bobcat

Felis Rufus

Status: Very valuable fur animal.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.

 

Lynx

Felis lynx

Status: Internationally important component of the wild fur industry.  Very valuable fur animal.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.  Note: The lynx was given 'Threatened' status under the Endangered Species Act in 2000.

 

Short-Tail Weasel

Mustela erminea

Status: Winter pelts of value when fur prices are high.  Unprotected predator.



Long-Tail Weasel

Mustela frenata

Status: Fur of some value, unprotected predator.



Least Weasel

Mustela nivalis

Status: Unprotected predator.



Fisher

Martes pennanti

Status: Valued fur animal.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



Wolverine

Gulo gulo

Status: Wolverine fur is highly valued and widely used in the Arctic and sub-Arctic as ruffs or trim on parkas and other garments.  The most viable and widespread population of wolverines in the contiguous 48 states occurs in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



Mink

Mustela vison

Status: This valuable furbearer is one of the most widespread carnivores in North America.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



Marten

Martes americana

Status: Valuable fur animal.  Lives in areas remote from civilization.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Status: Valuable fur animal, abundant, unprotected predator.



Coyote

Canis latrans

Status: Valuable fur animal.  Abundant.  Unprotected predator.



Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Status: Moderate value as a fur animal.  Abundant.  Many people enjoy viewing them.  Non-game animal.



Striped Skunk

Mustela mephitis

Status: Nationally a valuable fur animal.  Individual pelts are not very valuable but tremendous numbers are taken.  Very abundant non-game animal.



Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

Status: Very abundant.  One of the most important fur animals in North America.  Can cause damage to dikes by burrowing.  Very valuable fur animal.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



Beaver

Castor canadensis

Status: An abundant, important fur animal and water conservationist.  Its value as a fur animal was responsible for much of the early exploration of North America.  Is one of the most intensively studied furbearers in North America.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.



River Otter

Lutra canadensis

Status: Fur is of moderate value.  Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.

 

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Last modified: July 06, 2008
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