Finnish auction house takes over Wisconsin mink trading hub
Chris Hubbuch
STOUGHTON, Wis. (AP) – Under the harsh light of fluorescent bulbs in an unadorned warehouse, Claudia Manzanilla picks up a stiff mink pelt and runs her fingers along the silvery fur.
In less than a second, she assesses the length of the fur, sorts it and grabs another seemingly identical pelt from a pile of stiffened animal skins.
The evaluation is one step in an elaborate process to grade the furs provided by American mink farmers before they re sold a step that almost didn t happen this year.
Last fall North American Fur Auctions, a 350-year-old Canadian company with offices in Stoughton, entered court-supervised restructuring, closing one of the primary market portals just as Wisconsin mink ranchers were beginning their harvest.
Outdoornews
December 10, 2020
Banquets/Fundraisers
Dec. 12: WTU Wisconsin South Life Member Banquet, 4:30 p.m., The Lodge, Mauston. For more info call Jim Wiltinger, 608-689-2234.
Jan. 9, 2021: WTU St. Croix Valley Chapter Hunters Night Out, 5 p.m., Ready Randy’s R&D Banquets, New Richmond. For more info call Bert Penny, 715-441-1122.
Jan. 16, 2021: WTU Wisconsin West Deer Camp, 4:30 p.m., Sleep Inn & Suites, Eau Claire. For more info call Jim Wiltinger, 608-606-3065.
Jan. 20, 2021: WTU Lower Wisconsin River Chapter, 5:30 p.m., Dorf Haus Supper Club, Sauk City. For more info call Jim Wiltinger, 608-606-3065.
Jan. 23, 2021: Walleyes Unlimited USA annual Ice Jamboree. For more info call Walt Koch, 847-710-5453 or www.walleyesunlimitedusa.org