Fur trapping in data

General Trends

• There has been an overall decline in the number of animals trapped for fur in Canada from 2014 to 2023.

• Trapping peaked between 2014 and 2016, with numbers falling steadily throughout the 2020s.

Beaver

• Peak year: 2014 with 162,174 trapped.

• 2023: 66,129 trapped — a decline of approximately 59%.

• Trend shows a gradual, consistent decrease.

Coyote

• Highest number in 2019 with 111,049 trapped.

• 2023: 69,645 — around a 37% drop from the peak.

• Decline is less severe than other species, likely due to continued demand (e.g., use of fur trim in winter clothing).

Marten

• Highest recorded number in 2014: 155,848.

• 2023: 44,293 — about a 72% decline.

• Notable sharp drop between 2020 and 2021.

Muskrat

• Peak year: 2016 with 316,248 trapped.

• 2023: 74,910 — a drop of roughly 76%.

• Shows the steepest long-term decline among all species analysed.

Raccoon

• Highest count in 2015: 40,478 trapped.

• 2023: 7,009 — an 83% decline.

• Overall steady downward trend, with a brief increase in 2021.

Summary Takeaways

• All species showed significant declines over the 10-year period.

• Marten and muskrat experienced the most pronounced drops.

• Coyotes were comparatively high due to demand for fur trims on parka coats, dropping after Canada Goose fur free policy announced