WVTA - Grading

Red Fox - Grey Fox

All fox measured from tip of nose to base of tail.

Cherry - The top grade of red fox. These prime pelts are 'cherry' in color.

Heavy - The top grade of grey fox. These prime pelts have a heavy coat wit long guard hair, good underfur and no rips or tears. The Heavy is classified as being a denser pelt than a regular I & II.

Large I & II - Both red and grey fox pelts which have prime, glossy fur, free of imperfections. Good underfur and nice guard hair. Measurement must be at least 27 inches.

Low II - Average pelts showing weakness in the flank and neck areas.

Medium & Small I & II - (See Large I & II above). Pelt size is less than 27 inches in length.

III - Poor quality pelt, flat or wooly, having little guard hair.

IV - Imperfections which would require repair. No guard hair.

V - Little commercial value. Badly damaged, summer pelts or badly rubbed pelts.
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Mink

Size is measured from tip of nose to base of tail for female mink. For male mink, measure tip of nose to base of tail. Then, measure across lower width of pelt. Multiply the width by 2, then add the length to achieve total male inches.

Large Male - At least 24 inches, prime with white or creamy leather. Long guard hair, dense underfur. Red saddle should be visible.

Large Female - At least 15 inches in length, otherwise same as Large Male.

Small Male - Measuring less than 24 inches, otherwise same as Large Male.

Small Female - Measuring less than 15 inches in length, otherwise same as Large Male.

III - Good quality fur, but having some tick bites or scars. Guard hair is shorter and less dense.

IV - Weak or broken appearance in fur and leather. Lacks density and coverage.

V - Cotton mink, damaged or poorly handled skins.

Unprime - Leather is slate to dark blue in color.
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Raccoon

Raccoon are measured from tip of nose to highes area at base of tail.

XXXL - Prime pelt, well furred, allowing one imperfection or small hole. Width no less than 5 inches across shoulder area. Length measurement is 32 inches and over.

XXL - Same as XXXL except length is 29 to 32 inches.

XL - Same as XXXL except length is 27 to 29 inches.

Large - Same as XXXL except length is 24 to 27 inches.

Medium - Same as XXXL except length is 22 to 24 inches.

Small - Same as XXXL except length is 22 inches or less.

XLarge III - Pelts which are generally prime but have several imperfections such as tick bites or small holes. Size is 27 inches or larger.

Large III - Pelts which are generally prime but have several imperfections such as tick bites or small holes. Size is 24-27 inches in length.

Med/Small III - Same as Large III except length is less than 24 inches.

Low IV & V - Pelts which are generally prime but have several imperfections. Little commercial value.

Uprime Large & XL - Unprime pelts which are blue or dark in color. Size is 24 inches or more in length.

Grease L & XL I & II - Pelts which either haven't been fleshed or a poor job was done. Much grease left on leather. Pelts will measure 24 inches or more in length.

Grease Medium & Small I & II - Same as above, except length is less than 24 inches.

Grease XLarge III - Pelt quality similar to Large III above, except there is much grease left on the leather. Pelts measure 27" and over.

Grease Large III - Pelt quality similar to Large III above, except there is much grease left on the leather. Pelts measure 24-27 inches in length.

Grease Med/Small III - Same as Grease Large III except length is less than 24 inches.

Grease Low - Pelts having much grease on the leather, plus many bites, holes or rubs. Little commercial value.

Fisher Black - These pelts are black in color instead of the normal brownish color of the raccoon.
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Muskrat

Muskrat are measured from tip of nose to highest area at base of tail.

Large & XL - Thick fur, leather is creamy to reddish, pliable texture. Good guard hair and ample underfur. No damage or imperfections. Size is 13 inches or more in length.

Medium - Same as Large & XL, except size is 10 to 12.99 inches.

Flat - Very little guard hair and little underfur. All sizes except kitts.

Slight Damage - Prime, good furred pelt with up to two small imperfections.

Kitt - Pelts measuring less than 8 inches.

Bad Damage - Pelts having more than 2 imperfections.

Stale - Carryover muskrat pelts. Leather appears yellow and not as pliable.
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Opossum

Opossum are measured from tip of nose to highest point at base of tail.

Select - Highest grade of opossum. No defects, plenty of guard hair and underfur. Clean finished.

Large & XL I & II - Prime pelt with good guard hair and underfur having no damaged areas. Length is 21 inches or more.

Medium I & II - Same as Large above except measurement is 15 to 20.99 inches in length.

Small I & II - Same as Large above except less than 15 inches in length.

III & Black - Prime pelts having less than three small nicks or bites. Also, opossum with black fur go into this category.

Low - Prime pelt which has several tears, holes or damaged areas.

Grease Large & XL - Pelt which has not been fleshed or has been fleshed incorrectly. Free of damage, rips or bites. Size is 21 inches or more in length.

Grease Medium & Small - Same as Grease Large exept pelt measure less than 20 inches.

Grease III - Unfleshed pelt having little guard hair or unprime, less than three bites or cuts.

Grease Low - Lower quality than Grease III, unprime or numerous cuts or bites.
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Beaver

Beaver are measured in an "X" pattern from pelt edge at leg hole to opposite leg hole edge. Add both measurements together for size.

All Top Grade pelts are placed into lots by their respective sizes (70"+, 65-70", 60-65", 55-60", 50-55", 45-50", 40-45", or Cub [less than 40"]). These pelts will have good guard hair and good underfur. Leather will not be blue or dark in color.

Bad Damage - Pelt contains more than just a slight damage. This includes rubs larger than a fifty cent piece.

Small or Slight Damage - Quality fur and prime skin. Slight damaged pelts up to five small holes or cuts. Could have darker leather, small rubs, or clips.

Large III - Measures 55" or more and has a small amount of damage. Pelts which are not prime or slate in color.

Medium & Small III - Same as Large III except pelt measures less than 55 inches.
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Bobcat

Bobcats are measured from tip of nose to base of tail.

Select - Fully prime, free of any defects. Bright color, good guard hair and underfur.

Large & XL - No damage, cuts or sewn areas. Must be prime with ample guard hair and underfur. Measures 31 inches or longer.

Medium - Same as Large & XL except pelt measures 25 to 29.99 inches.

Small - Same as Large & XL except pelt measures 24 inches or less.

Flat & Slight Damage - Slight damage such as false knife cuts, small bites or ticks. No more than three slightly damaged areas.

III - Pelts that are not prime. Also those with a medium amount of damage.

Large Damage - Pelt measuring 31 inches or more having several damaged areas.

Small Damage - Same as Large Damage except pelt measures less than 30 inches.
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Skunk

Clean I & II - Clean, dried pelt. Very little to no damage.

Low - Clean, dried pelt which may not be prime or having some damage.

Grease I & II - Pelt which has not been properly fleshed.
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Coyote

Coyote are measured from tip of nose to base of tail.

Select - Excellent pelt in both fur and leather.

Heavy - No damage, good prime fur, good guard hair and underfur.

Large I & II - No damage, prime fur, good guard hair and underfur. Pelt measures 36 inches or longer.

Small I & II - Same as Large except pelt measures 35 inches or less.

III - A pelt having little damage, but still has guard hair and underfur.

Damage - Pelt with holes, cuts or slippage.
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