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Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:42 am
by Fallguy
Ok...I have a question that may have a real obvious answer, but it has not been obvious to me?

It is a fact when talking to a fur buyer, or reading a fur market report, they always make reference to the "wide, white bellies" characteristic. This feature of a pelt is somewhat related to getting top dollar for it. I pay attention to this, and was taught by Prairie Ghost to make the most of the white wide bellies when handling the fur.

My question is this: Since the main part of the coyote used in the fur industry is the strip of fur down the back (guardhairs), why is it that the belly is held in such high standard? Is that part used for something also, and I just didn't know it? Or does that body part indicate overall health or a characteristic of the rest of the fur? Looking forward to the responses.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:56 am
by lyonch
I really can't say a sure fact on why that is, but i could give you my 2 cents if that is worth anything :oops:

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:04 pm
by LeviM
I thought they used a strip off of the back, and a strip off of the belly. I also thought that the strip of the belly is worth more than the strip on the back. Let me know if I misspoken.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:02 pm
by Fallguy
lyonch wrote:I really can't say a sure fact on why that is, but i could give you my 2 cents if that is worth anything :oops:
Well I would listen if you told me. I wouldn't see any reason why you should be embarassed for not knowing. I have been to two different seminars on putting up fur, and I don't remember hearing anything about what they use the belly fur for.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:29 pm
by lyonch
well then here is goes. Someone needs to correct me if i am wrong though. I have always that thought that the fur industry has a hard time finding natural light color fur; especially white. Since som coyote bellies are virtualy pure white that section would be used for white garments that are made of fur. the only other animal that i know that has a salvageable white pelt is the artic fox, and the white weasel. I have always thought with good guard hairs across the back there is a full strip there that they can use and if there is a full white belly there is even more fur that can be salvaged. When you stretch your bellies wide you are also stretching the back unless you stretch the belly and pin it before you stretch the stretcher. When the coyote is presented with a wide white belly then the buyer sees it as more material available to use than if you left in normal. thats what i have always thought but have never had and opportunity to confirm it. Its a good question though that i hope can be answered by one of the fur experts here.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:27 am
by Fallguy
That is a good theory lyonch.

I talked to papapete last night on the phone and he had the same thought. It makes sense.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:51 am
by RandyRoede
Your fur buyer is also a fur seller, a clear white belly may be more valuable as a garment item used in it's natural color, a heavy with a darker belly has more value as a trim item, the strips you talk of. They can make any fur any color. Square inches of usable fur is the key, the more of it on a pelt the more value it has.

Three types of markets for coyotes. Furs used for making coats etc. vs the trim, used on collars, cuffs etc. and the tanned pelt market, where the pale white belly are also more in demand.

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:35 am
by Prairie Ghost
Never did find out myself just knew that was what they wanted. They might use the white fur for the dyed fur industry due to white fur taking the dye easier. They make trim in about every color pink, purple ect ect.

Just a theory

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:00 pm
by shooter93
what do they want in other countries is what they pay, but do you know what a hudson seal coat is, it is what? but im sure the white belly is for a certain fur called someting else?

Re: Wide White Bellies

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:09 pm
by Tim Anderson
Wide white bellies is refered to coyotes. Clear spotted bellies refers to bobcats. Seal coat is just that a coat made from seals... Then you have the western silvers or sandhill coyotes..