Due to the limited market for polar bear pelts, Fur Harvesters Auction (FHA) has been unable to sell polar bear pelts at auction for a number of years. As a result of this, the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program has recently made changes to its payments and advances for polar bear pelts. The program will no longer purchase or provide advance payments for these pelts. However, harvesters who sell polar bear pelts privately for $1,750 or more are eligible for a $450 Prime Fur Bonus. The Prime Fur Bonus provides an incentive for hunters and trappers to deliver high-quality pelts for sale. Harvesters must provide the program with a proof of sale, dated, and signed by both the buyer and seller, along with the price it sold for and how many pelts were sold.

The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program provides harvesters in the Northwest Territories with access to international fur auction markets and works to actively promote fur through partnerships in other jurisdictions. The program was established in 2000 to encourage trapping and hunting in the territory.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) provides a market forecast for each year, predicting the cost pelts may sell for. While polar bear pelt sales have not performed as well at auctions in recent years, the GNWT encourages sustainable livelihoods through trapping in the NWT. This year’s forecast shows a continued upward trend for the sale of many other types of pelts. To read more on predicted sale outcomes, visit https://gnwt.ca/sites/default/files/documents/gmvfp_market_forecast_2026_final_clean.pdf

For media requests, please contact:
ECC Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ECC_Communications@gov.nt.ca