Fur conditions this time of year?

[beardown]

I was wondering if anyone had any tips what to look for to tell if furs are still good this time of year?  I have only been trapping for 2 seasons now, but I am currently trapping for some problem beavers for a buddy, and yes I have a WDFW permit. I was wondering if hides are good right now?  I caught a 58lbs female the other day and a non-target otter and they LOOK ok, but not sure what else to look for. By the look of her nipples, she mustve had babies or pregnant. Ive never dealt with that before on a beaver either. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

[Humptulips]

The beaver will all make hatter's but legally speaking you cannot sell stuff caught out of season even if legally done so. You can keep them for your own use or for educational purposes.
Water animals will stay good the longest but even those are marginal at best now.
I have caught otter and beaver during every month and would say you are going to see ones that are salvageable up to June 1. You are just going to have to look at the pelt for rubs, matting and shedding and make a decision individually if you think it will be OK.
Personally I think otters last a little longer then beaver and most beaver hides will be toast by now but you never know. Look them over and see how they look.
I once picked up a muskrat killed on June 1 and it was great but a lot won't be.
I hate trapping this time of year because of litters being born and of course the waste. I try and talk people out of it if possible.
Even if the fur is crappy you might be able to use it for flagging at sets next year and I would for sure save the beaver carcasses for bait.

[beardown]

Thanks for the input!  I planned on keeping for my own use anyways. I dont really care to trap right now, but my buddy was losing all his fruit trees and flooding in his back yard in the city. Just helping him out and figured I didnt want to waste them if possible.

[predatorpro]

The beaver will all make hatter's but legally speaking you cannot sell stuff caught out of season even if legally done so. You can keep them for your own use or for educational purposes.
Water animals will stay good the longest but even those are marginal at best now.
I have caught otter and beaver during every month and would say you are going to see ones that are salvageable up to June 1. You are just going to have to look at the pelt for rubs, matting and shedding and make a decision individually if you think it will be OK.
Personally I think otters last a little longer then beaver and most beaver hides will be toast by now but you never know. Look them over and see how they look.
I once picked up a muskrat killed on June 1 and it was great but a lot won't be.
I hate trapping this time of year because of litters being born and of course the waste. I try and talk people out of it if possible.
Even if the fur is crappy you might be able to use it for flagging at sets next year and I would for sure save the beaver carcasses for bait.

Correct me if im wrong but with a permit hes not allowed to sell or keep legally?

[predatorpro]

At the bottom

[Humptulips]

In that screen shot it refers to a WAC starting with 232-. All those are outdated and if you look them up leads you to nowhere.
Here is a link to the relevant law:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-440-070

Last part of it being the most relevant to this thread.

"(5) Animals taken with the use of a body-gripping trap may not be retained and must be disposed as conditioned in the special trapping permit or as specified in WAC 220-440-090. Raw fur may only be retained for personal use or educational purposes which do not result in retail sale or commerce."

So maybe you are going to use cage traps and you are wondering, can I keep the fur if I am a WCO or if I am using cages?
Her you go, have a look.  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-440-110

Applicable part:
"(2) WCOs with a valid trapping license may retain raw fur of wildlife taken using a special trapping permit, for personal use or educational purposes that does not result in retail sale or commerce. The carcass must be disposed of in a lawful manner according to WAC 220-440-090"

It doesn't seem to address animals caught in cage traps however in WAC 220-440-090 it says    " Wildlife taken under this chapter remains the property of the state and may be disposed of in the manner and under the conditions that follow:"
No allowance is made for retaining them for use in that chapter.

I doubt though anyone is likely to be ticketed for a cage caught animal kept where legally taken though. I negotiated the wording in the law with Department staff and I guess my fault if there is poor language. I had thought it was fixed so legal to keep cage caught stuff but apparently not quite.

[predatorpro]

In that screen shot it refers to a WAC starting with 232-. All those are outdated and if you look them up leads you to nowhere.
Here is a link to the relevant law:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-440-070

Last part of it being the most relevant to this thread.

"(5) Animals taken with the use of a body-gripping trap may not be retained and must be disposed as conditioned in the special trapping permit or as specified in WAC 220-440-090. Raw fur may only be retained for personal use or educational purposes which do not result in retail sale or commerce."

So maybe you are going to use cage traps and you are wondering, can I keep the fur if I am a WCO or if I am using cages?
Her you go, have a look.  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-440-110

Applicable part:
"(2) WCOs with a valid trapping license may retain raw fur of wildlife taken using a special trapping permit, for personal use or educational purposes that does not result in retail sale or commerce. The carcass must be disposed of in a lawful manner according to WAC 220-440-090"

It doesn't seem to address animals caught in cage traps however in WAC 220-440-090 it says    " Wildlife taken under this chapter remains the property of the state and may be disposed of in the manner and under the conditions that follow:"
No allowance is made for retaining them for use in that chapter.

I doubt though anyone is likely to be ticketed for a cage caught animal kept where legally taken though. I negotiated the wording in the law with Department staff and I guess my fault if there is poor language. I had thought it was fixed so legal to keep cage caught stuff but apparently not quite.

Lol gotcha! Thanks for clarifying! Our laws are rediculous! I have a hard time keeping up with em!