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| From 1800 to about 1840, beaver fur was in great demand for making
felt hats. These were in fashion in Europe
and in the eastern United States. The pelts of beaver brought an average of $4 a pound at
trading posts or at the annual rendezvous. One pelt usually weighed about a
pound and a half. The saying "six dollar a plew, prime," referred to a whole
beaver pelt ("plew") in "prime" (or the best) condition. |
A Mountain Man |
| The beaver coat was thickest
in winter. That was the best time to trap beaver. But since trapping in
deep snow during winter time was nearly
impossible, the trappers got most of their pelts during the fall and
spring hunts. |
| Click on the Next
button (to the left) to find out more about the trappers' work and tools. |
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