Fred Hoenisch is on the hunt for a prized fox pelt – his own.
When Hoenisch offered his pelts for a display at the Luxton Fall Fair, the last thing he expected was for one to up and walk away. Although it didn’t walk away on its own accord, someone swiped it.
Hoenisch, a member of the Malahat Marauders Historic Re-enactment Association, brought three of his pelts to put on display Sunday, just to the side of the black powder firearms the association also had on show. The pelts, about 20 of them, were intentionally set out so people could feel them.
As a volunteer with the association, Hoenisch was there to talk to visitors about the pelts and answer any questions. He helped out with a three-hour shift and also by bringing in the pelts.
“The fox is definitely the softest of the three,” Hoenisch said.
He left the area around 4 p.m. to get his children some cotton candy and when he came back the fox pelt was gone.
The pelt came from the Yukon Trappers Association and cost Hoenisch about $400. It’s a cross-fox with brown, grey and white markings, approximately four feet long and with the head on.
“My kids love it, it’s so soft,” Hoenisch said. “It’s really disappointing. … Everybody feels bad about it because it does put a damper on future events. The whole idea is to let people touch, it’s not to let people walk away with it.”
West Shore RCMP have a file open on the theft. Anyone with any information is asked to call the detachment at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).