The mink has long been valued for its fur and its trapping is regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You could encounter this efficient hunter in your own travels in Elk County; learn more at the PA Game Commission website.

In 1864, an enterprising fur seller in southern New York posted this ad in the Coudersport newspaper, the Potter County Journal (30 November 1864).

To hunters and trappers in Southern Allegany [New York] and Northern Pennsylvania be it known that from this till further notice the subscribers will pay FIVE DOLLARS EACH in greenbacks for all healthy living mink delivered to them in Wellsville [New York]. These mink are now worthless for fur and will remain comparatively so for three or four months, their skins not being prime till about the middle of December. Whole litters of mink now prevail on the tributaries of the Genesee and Allegany, and can be taken in box traps. Persons catching them have only to keep them confined in a box well ventilated and kept in a cool place with a dish of good pure water at all times in the box and half a dozen if caught can be brought to market at once. Mink can be caught much more readily now than when the season becomes advanced and cold, and will bring just as good price by selling to the subscribers. Bring them along then, singly or by the dozen, and the money is ready.  William W. Cole, Asher P. Cole. Wellsville, July 19, 1864.