selling snapper turtles

[trappintees]

Does anyone know a buyer in or around michigan for snapper turtles? I think CJ mentioned he sold them in his fur fish game article. I imagine you sell them live?
Thanks for any info.
Scott

[cj]

trappintees said:

Does anyone know a buyer in or around michigan for snapper turtles? I think CJ mentioned he sold them in his fur fish game article. I imagine you sell them live?
Thanks for any info.
Scott

First off trappintees, welcome to the Swamp

I'm not sure of any buyers in MI, although there are quit a few folks from MI here. Maybe they can help. I have an outlet to sell mine live here, although they can be sold "cleaned". The rules for selling get a bit more stringent here, when selling cleaned, however. It's much less of a hassle to move them alive. I'm sure each state differs on the regualtions too.

[trappintees]

Thanks for the welcome. And the info. I am hoping someone buys them live in Michigan. We keep a bunch to eat every year but would like to sell some if possible. There are a ton around. I definetely dont want to clean them and sell them. Is your buyer a place that sells fish? I am just curious, not sure where to even start looking for a buyer. BTW that was a great article in FFG.
Thanks again,
Scott

[cj]

Scott, thanks for the compliments. How far are you from the Ohio line? Reason I ask is my catfish get toegether is this weekend. My buying source on turtle, Jack, will be there all weekend. I'm sure he'd buy all you can get. He'd be a great person to talk with.

CJ

[trappintees]

Im not too far from Ohio, South West Mich. Would like to come down, thanks for the invite, but we are super busy right now. We have a screen printing/embroidery business and we are super busy with little league, softball etc. working all weekend. Your turtle buyer, Jack, needs more than you supply? Our season isnt until July, I could deliver after we get a bunch accumulated after that, if hes interested in buying them. I think with a commercial license we can take 50 per person a year. Can you tell me how much you get for them? I imagine thats up to him to say, just wondered on an average price. Is it per pound? Email if youd like. Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.
Scott
[e-mail]

[cj]

Scott, he'll be able to sell all you can catch. Last year on a weekend run to southern Ohio, we lost a good sale deal because we were 500 lbs short. As season rolls around, I'll keep you posted. Not sure the current going rate now. Last year, we averaged around $4 to 5 a pound, cleaned.
Sounds like you may not be too far from Bowhunter...he's in SW MI, and makes a few trips a year here.

[trappintees]

CJ
Thanks for all the information. You clean all your turtles to sell? How long does it take you to clean one. Does he buy them live also? Please do keep me posted. Will have to make a trip down this summer. Great forum by the way.
Not sure about Bowhunter, I am near Kalamazoo.
Thanks again,
Scott