I'm no expert on fur quality and I'm sure that you know a lot more about it than me, Spruce. I just go by the colour of the hide. Here's a picture of the hide on one that was caught Tuesday that I put up last night. We're not that far apart but it sounds like they prime earlier up your way. November 15 is my go to date.
I'm curious about something that I noticed......The guard hair seems longer on ELY dogs and late season dogs. I suspect that it is due to a lack of underfur. Is this another way of determining primeness?
