I was at the Farmington fur sale yesterday also. I sold all my cats and coyotes. I was pleased with what I received. Was it what I averaged last year-No. Was it more that I have made other years (3-4 yrs ago) BIG YES. From talking with other trappers and comparing with other sales, my cats and coyotes brought what was average for the cats and coyotes from my area. I didn't get what a Nevada cat, or a Cali. cat, or a Texas cat would. I got what a properly put up SW Colo. cat was worth. No more, no less.
The fur market is a the most fickle kind of market I have ever known and some trappers are the biggest whiners I have ever known.
Anyone at that sale could see there was a lot of poorly put up and small cats. These were the majority of the no-sales (from what I saw walk out the door). Those trappers were doing a lot of the complaining. NOT EVERY CAT IS A TOP LOT. Yes, some nice cats were also "no-saled". Was it the right move? Only time will tell. You have to be brutely honest with what kind of cats you have.
I overheard one trapper say that they went to Globe, didn't like the price there, came to Farmington, still didn't like the price and was heading to Belen next. You can't tell me they will make up what they have spent in time and money by "sale hopping" and trying to get what they want.