Dave, during the times of Hudson Bay beaver numbers were devastated in most of North America. Many single bachelors had no job during winter so went trapping ( PS had no lady to keep them warm and company) so went trapping beaver. In todays dollar probably getting around a few hundred $$ a pelt. Many trappers had quota of only a few beaver per season on their lines in 40's and 50's in Alberta. Main reason brought in RFMA system in 1930's.
I may be aging myself but still remember almost no beaver dams in foothills and Boreal forest in Alberta when elk and moose hunting.
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