furbearing

Furbearing is an adjective used to describe animals whose fur is or could be used for clothing and other goods, typically under human exploitation. In wildlife management and the fur trade, these animals are often referred to as furbearers. The term encompasses wild species and, in some contexts, farmed species raised specifically for their pelts.

Common furbearers include beaver, river otter, mink, fox (red and arctic), muskrat, raccoon, and members of the mustelid family such as weasels, martens, and sables. Pelts vary in value by species, fur quality, and market demand, as well as by the time of harvest.

Regulation varies by country and region. In many jurisdictions, furbearers are managed with specific trapping or hunting seasons, licensing, bag limits, and gear restrictions to reduce bycatch and protect populations. Some areas classify furbearers separately from game species; others regulate fur farming and the sale of pelts to address welfare and environmental concerns.

Furbearer management balances ecological considerations with economic activity. Sustainable harvest aims to maintain wild populations, prevent nuisance impacts, and regulate the fur trade, while fur farming has raised debates over animal welfare and ecological footprints.

The term furbearing is primarily used in North American and European wildlife and hunting contexts, though the concept exists globally wherever fur pelts are harvested or traded.