This year, the Timmins Fur Council held a fur tanning seminar for anyone that was interested in learning how to properly tan their harvested animal.
The seminar was held on April 18 at the Lion Den's located in the basement of McIntyre Arena from 9 a.m. to noon.
Unlike the tanning of leather, fur tanning helps protect and preserve the hair and follicles.
Before the fur can be turned into clothing, it goes through a series of processes to soften and preserve the hide without damaging the fur.
The seminar was held this year after many trappers expressed an interest in tanning their own fur.
With low selling prices of fur at the auction sometimes, some trappers prefer to keep that special fox or wolf for their self rather than selling it at the auction.
Before this seminar, trappers shipped their fur to a tannery or taxidermist, waiting as long as eight to 12 months before getting it back.
After learning how to tan their own fur properly, trappers can now have it tanned within a week.
Once the tanning process is completed, trappers can transform fur into mitts, hats, rugs and a number of other items while taking pride in knowing they made it themselves from start to finish.
Timmins Fur Council President Steve Lemieux brought three beaver pelts and a fisher pelt to the seminar.
During the demonstration, he took the time to answer questions related to the products he was using, why he was using them and explain each step of the tanning process.
Once a fur is tanned, a trapper can no longer sell it at an auction house as they only resale dry pelts.
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Following the tanning seminar, Lemieux offered a demonstration on skull bleaching.
Other upcoming events scheduled for the Timmins Fur Council include the Timmins Sportsman Show April 25 to 26, Trap Boil, garbage clean up, a GPS course, long range shooting, and the Sturgeon project with the MNR.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the garbage clean up or any other scheduled event is encouraged to visit the Timmins Fur Council on Facebook.
Next time you see a trapper, remember to thank them for all their efforts in keeping our forests, waterways clean and healthy for everyone now and future generations to enjoy.
Whether you're an angler or hunter; a camp, lodge, resort owner; or just holding an outdoor event and would like some exposure, please feel free to email us at [email protected].
