The Islenos came from the Spanish Canary Islands to Louisiana in the 1770’s and settled in the St. Bernard parish area (south of Orleans parish). This area was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina but a lot of their descendants are still there. The were fabulous hunters, trappers, oystermen and fishermen.

I remember in the late 50’s still seeing muskrat skin drying in the winter sun. It was an excellent way to get rid of this invasive species but, alas, people did not desire muskrat fur coats. Louisiana currently has a bounty of $3-5 for each muskrat tail brought in. Muskrats are notorious for burrowing into levees and weakening or destroying them, hence the bounty.

imitation mink, gloves, hats, collars, coat linings, etc

https://books.google.com/books?id=G8mBIE_sPnAC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=muskr...

Like captivated, I was surprised that people were trapping muskrats for their pelts. It turns out, they made distinctive fur coats on their own, or could be dyed to match (or fake) mink.

According to Wikipedia, making fur coats out of muskrat fur was a thing back then.

"Muskrat can be dyed and used to make coats that resemble mink,” Mott said.

Muskrat finery can run $1,300 to $4,000. In general, back fur is used for coats and hats, and belly fur for trim.

From

https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120115/SPORTS/301159783

You really need to click on the link. Economics, foreign trade, substitution effects, and Baptist ministers picking up a little cash.

What makes a trapper a "Spanish" trapper? Did ethnicity categorize trappers in the Mississippi delta?

In 1940, what was the commercial use of muskrat skins?