Sending Well Wishes to Parker Dozhier

Parker Dozhier, long-time T&PC fur-market expert, seriously ill

by Jim Spencer, T&PC editor

You’re going to notice a big hole in the next issue of Trapper & Predator Caller. It’s the first issue since January 1983 that doesn’t have a new, up-to-date “Fur Market Report” from Parker Dozhier. In early January, soon before deadline day, Managing Editor Jared Blohm received a note from Parker saying that he’d just found out he had a serious illness and that he would no longer be able to write his “Fur Market Report.”

Parker Dozhier wrote the "Fur Market Report" for nearly three decades.

So, for the first time in nearly three decades, this magazine does not have a comprehensive and fresh market report. We’re re-running the “Market Briefs” and “Regional Reports” from the January issue, and that information is still mostly accurate. We are currently searching for another experienced fur market analyst to take Parker’s place in the magazine.

That, of course, is going to be difficult. No one is irreplaceable, but Dozhier comes as close as anybody I’ve ever known. He’s possibly the most knowledgeable fur market analyst in the world. Certainly, there’s no one in the business with a wider circle of friends, sources and business acquaintances throughout the industry, nor anyone with more skill at pulling accurate information out of all those sources.

I talked to Parker soon after he gave us the bad news. As I said, his illness is serious, but when we talked, he was in good spirits. In typical Parker fashion, he was busy making plans and getting his ducks in a row. “I’ve got some serious decisions to make in the near future,” he said, “and I can’t help but feel I’m letting a lot of people down by not being able to continue writing the market report.”

Which, of course, isn’t true. He’s given more than his pound of flesh to the trapping industry. Since he was a young man growing up in Brinkley, Ark., he’s been involved in — and pretty much consumed by — the fur business. He comes by it honestly — his dad was a fur and pecan buyer, and the elder Dozhier taught his son the ropes. After a brief stint as a television newsman in Little Rock, Parker “dropped out,” moved to a mountaintop in the Ouachita Mountains and got back to doing what he loved — messing around with fur.

As a trapper and fur buyer, he’s traveled the world, hitting every continent except Australia. Almost single-handedly, he opened the otter and muskrat fur trade with China, making the first shipment of about 3,000 otters to that country in 1985. Trappers across the country owe him a huge debt, and I’m proud to be able to count his as a friend.
I asked Parker if I could put his address in this message, in case folks wanted to send notes or cards. He said that would be fine, and again in typical Dozhier fashion, added, “I think those PETA folks have stopped trying to take me down anyway. And if they do come, I hope they come to the front door.”

Somehow, I don’t think that would be a very wise thing to do. Here’s his mailing address: Parker Dozhier, 262 Sharon Terrace, Hot Springs, AR 71913. He can also be reached by e-mail at HeTraps@aol.com.

Drop him a note if you get a chance; even tough, old trappers need cheering up sometimes.

Jim Spencer, of Calico Rock, Ark., is executive editor of T&PC. To contact Jim, send e-mails to modernmountainman@gmail.com. Visit his website at www.treblehookunlimited.com.

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20 thoughts on “Sending Well Wishes to Parker Dozhier

  1. Sorry to hear that you have some serious illness, I, also had some serious illness a couple of years ago, but the good lord helped me through it and I am still on the line. My best wishes and prayers are for you. Hang in there my friend.

  2. Best Wishes and Prayers go out to Parker and his Family. Has a Donation/Fund been put together for assisting him with any needs or costs in the future?

  3. An oldtimer who has opened the “The Trapper” now “The Trapper and Predator Caller” to read first the Market Report. The trapping world will miss your detailed and honest reporting. I wish you strength for the challenges you face.

  4. So sorry to hear you are ill. We will miss seeing your report monthly. Our thoughts and prayers are with youand your family.

  5. Your wealth of knowledge has been one of our trapping tools just like all of our gear. It takes special people in the field to understand others and we are all brothers in this area and if one needs help we all join in to help. I personally will do anything i possibly can to aid you in your time of need. This is more than just a post and will tell you if you need any thing e-mail me at jjbct@hotmail.com and i will do the best i can. All brothers in this field i suggest you do the same for one day you may need some help. Good luck and be positive.

  6. My son began trapping this year and he loves to sit and talk to the Pioneers in Trapping, we read your report and it was always informative, your take on fur will be sorely missed. However your health is most important. It strengthens my decison to get my son involved in this to see Pillars such as yourself. You and your family are in our Prayers.

  7. I wish you all the best of luck in your battle. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for everything, my whole fur market prices have been relying on you. Thanks for everything and god bless!

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