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Beaver Castor

Beaver castors, located between the pelvic bones of beavers, are valuable for trappers and primarily used in the perfume industry as castoreum. They are graded into three categories based on quality, and proper handling and drying techniques are essential for maintaining their value. The document outlines the removal, drying, handling, and shipping processes for beaver castors, emphasizing the importance of avoiding moisture during shipping.

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Jessie Stockman
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42 views2 pages

Beaver Castor

Beaver castors, located between the pelvic bones of beavers, are valuable for trappers and primarily used in the perfume industry as castoreum. They are graded into three categories based on quality, and proper handling and drying techniques are essential for maintaining their value. The document outlines the removal, drying, handling, and shipping processes for beaver castors, emphasizing the importance of avoiding moisture during shipping.

Uploaded by

Jessie Stockman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Beaver Castor

By Ron Lancour

Beaver castors are quite valuable to the trapper if removed and handled properly.
Although they are often called castor glands, they are not glands in the true sense of the
word. The castor sacs are located between the pelvis bones of both male and female
beaver along with the oil glands. For the commercial market only the castor sacs are of
value. The oil glands are used mainly by trappers as a scent additive.

USES

In the early 18th century beaver castor (castoreum) was believed to have many medicinal
properties. Today it is an important ingredient used by the perfume industry. In perfume
making, the term castoreum is more liberally applied to denote the resinoid extract
resulting from the dried and alcohol tinctured beaver castor. The dried beaver castor sacs
are generally aged for two or more years to mellow and for their raw harshness to
dissipate. In perfumery, castoreum has largely been used for a leathery scent.
Trappers also use castor in scent and lure preparation to be used at trap sets. Some minor
uses are as a food additive, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

SALE

Beaver castors are sold by private treaty to a limited customer base. If sold at auction,
the expenses of buyers to attend the auction would considerably drop the price per ounce.
The primary buyers are the European perfume industry. Some castors are sold into
Pakistan and India but we are not sure of their use by those countries.

NAFA HANDLING

In the handling of beaver castors, NAFA does not deduct a flat percentage rate for
shrinkage. Castor packages are opened and the castors spread in individual screen drying
racks or hung in mesh bags. Castoreum continues to shrink and dry, Number 1 castors
will always have a moisture content. Once a castor order is received or negotiated the
castor is then weighed, graded, shipper documented and packed for shipping.

GRADING
There are three grades of castor.
#1 Castors that are clean, full pods and no holes.
#2 Ordinary, castors with holes, large castors with only small amounts of castoreum in
the pods and castoreum that is too dry to be #1.
#3 Castors that are small, shells, and castor that is too poor to be #2.
REMOVAL
Once the beaver has been pelted the castors can be located between the pelvic bones at
the base of the tail. Lift the meat above the castor and make a small cut, careful not to cut
the castor sac. Then use your fingers peel away and separate the meaty membrane and
fat from the castor sac. Repeat on the other side. Now you have two pods attached in the
middle. Cut away from the carcass so as to keep the pods intact. Give them a twist to
close off the opening. DO NOT tie them with wire or string. Do not remove the oil glands
with the castors; there is no commercial market for these.

DRYING & HANDLING


The pods can now be hung up to dry over a nail or wire. Turn the pods after a couple of
days so as to dry the part where the two pods were touching. They can also be dried on a
wire screen rack. Dry in a well ventilated spot. Turn frequently to ensure equal drying
and drying spots that may be touching each other. After six to ten days the castors can be
wrapped in newspaper, put in a plastic bag, and frozen in a deep freeze.

SHIPPING
A couple of days prior to shipping remove them from the deep freeze and spread out to
dry the accumulated frost. Once dry wrap in newspaper, burlap, or a mesh bag (onion
sack) and then pack in a cardboard box for shipping. DO NOT ship in a plastic bag, and
DO NOT ship wet castors, they will spoil (rot) in shipping.

If you have any questions for Ron Lancour, email him at [email protected]

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