|
|
Dorothy Copus Brush The fur sure was flying at this auction Auctions are always crowd pleasers, but on
a Saturday in late January there was an auction unlike most.
A tiny mention in an outdoor column stated that the Tennessee
Fur Harvesters Association conducts three fur auctions at the
end of each state trapping season. The first was held at Cedars
of Lebanon State Park. The second would be at the Cumberland
Community Complex in Crossville and the last at Bulls Gap. When I arrived at the complex before 9 that
Saturday morning, there were already many pick-ups parked behind
the building. Inside, long tables held furs of all descriptions.
Some I recognized, but others I had to ask about. There were
beaver, mink, raccoon, possum, otter, red and gray fox and coyote.
Most of the skins were stretched on special frames, but there
were heaps of raw furs piled on the floor. Preparing and stretching
the hide is worth the extra effort for it brings higher bids. The hall was filled with trappers, many with
their families. It was a friendly group with many who knew each
other from attending these annual affairs. Overalls and camouflage
suits were the common dress of the day. Among the crowd were
oldsters exchanging news and young men in their late teens listening
on the edge of those conversations. Sellers were in the majority all hoping that
the eight buyers had come prepared to bid high. Buyers were easy
to identify by their numbered badges. That same number was used
on the table where their cashier waited to pay the licensed seller
for their furs. The head auctioneer was the legendary "Red"
Edgemon of Ten Mile, TN. He has presided over fur auctions since
the first one was held in the state in 1977. Now 82, Edgemon's
ruddy complexion marks him as an outdoorsman. He is respected
for his vast knowledge of animals and trapping which he has done
most of his life. After 35 years he retired from Alcoa in 1975
and soon became a contract trapper for ADC (animal damage control).
Beavers and coyotes are the two species that bother people the
most. Edgemon was dressed in overalls, and he wears
a hearing aid but his eyes have the sparkle of a much younger
man. At the auction block those educated eyes quickly assessed
the fur up for bids. When he saw flaws he acknowledged them openly
but he always had an answer as to how they could be used. He
worked hard to convince an interested buyer to bid just a little
higher. One red fox fur brought $23 and a large beaver
skin $11. Edgemon called the coyotes "yotes," and one
brought $14. The buyers, market their furs to fur manufacturers
where they are sold to creative artisans, doll crafters, fly
tiers, hobbyists an Native Americans. Tim, a young man from Carthage, had not brought
any pelts but was there to learn. He urged me to be sure to talk
to Mr. Edgemon, a man he admired. After about an hour Edgemon
took a break while his assistant took over, and I approached
him. I asked him about Purdue University which Tim had mentioned.
Edgemon was surprised I knew about that. Since 1985 he and several other expert trappers
from neighboring states lead a week-long class in trapping the
third week in September each year. Only 50 students are accepted,
and Red said, "We have doctors, lawyers, all sorts of professionals.
They receive two college units from Purdue for the experience." Just as I was about to leave I saw a shy young man from Smith County approach the cashier's table. Earlier he told me this was the first time he had brought furs to an auction. He had a fistful of sales slips to present for his check. When I asked how he had done he smiled and said, "Pretty good." |