PORCUPINE PROFITS

Porcupines don’t really attract much attention from trappers, they aren’t at the top of many lists of species to pursue. But, there is a surprisingly strong market for the long hair found along their backs, for their quills, and to a lesser extent the claws and skulls. It takes a little work to turn a porky into something marketable, but when you do they are easy to sell.

VALUE

The value of the long hair, known as porky hair, can bring more than $20 from a single porcupine. Hair that is 8 inches long or longer is especially premium. Anything less than 8 inches is discounted severely because the primary use is for roach headdresses used in powwow and ceremonial events, where the natural beauty of long guard hairs is necessary.

Several years ago artificial porky hair became available and softened the market for genuine hair, but the demand for real hair continues, since traditional practices are favored for the craft market. Expertly made roaches can be valued at more than $10,000, although the use of traditional materials instead of artificial is priceless. It is a matter of great pride for the creators and users of the