Our History
Central to our universe is the wild outdoors. The boreal forest is our muse. We are passionate about the North.
We always integrate our passion into the products we create. Our lifestyle is infused in every aspect of our company, from trapping the fur, to product design, to social media marketing. Our Mission is to create an enduring superior product. Our collection is of exceptional quality and the perfect mix.
We bring you down to earth aesthetics, handcrafted in Canada and designed for longevity.
Meet Wayne Schigol
Wayne’s high level of craftsmanship was guided by his formative years working at the Hudson’s Bay Company at a young age, while trapping to make a living. He worked side by side with industry leaders in fur preparation, grading and purchasing. Industry recognition and numerous Top Lot Awards acknowledged his advanced skills.
Practicing an age-old craft, he developed the wisdom, care and skill to trap and properly handle fur for optimum value. He took pride in the artisanal heritage and aspects of the trade.
Wayne discovered a way to combine his passion for hunting, trapping and love for the outdoors. He credits his early years as an Outdoorsman in creating Great Grey Outfitters one of the most respected Outfitting enterprises in Canada.
As President of a Northern Fur Block in Saskatchewan Wayne’s focus is achieving optimum animal welfare and environmental practices while supporting the fur industry’s sustainable use of abundant species.
Trapping our own fur in the wilds of Saskatchewan is a major undertaking on to itself. Wayne takes great pride in the quality of his fur ensuring the creation of proven, versatile products that provide comfort, performance and luxury while working to promote the pursuit of ethical trapping, hunting and stewardship.
Meet Susan Schigol
Through her extensive experience in management and practical experience in marketing, Susan has acquired a diverse and balanced background.
Her early studies in economics allowed her to work in multiple government and industry sectors. Susan’s professional career included periods in Canada’s Public Service, including Director of Communications and Executive Services. In the private sector, she was Director of the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association, Chairperson on the Provincial Wildlife Advisory Committee, and Chairperson of the Tourism Saskatchewan Board of Directors.
Developing Great Grey Outfitters with her husband Wayne, Susan’s focus on genuine and sincere commitment to customer satisfaction kept clients coming back again and again. The success of this enterprise and promoting policy in tourism and wildlife management was a way to combine her passion for the outdoors and the desire to connect people to authentic experiences.
Always a camera in hand, she credits her earlier studies at L’Universite D’Aix, Marseille, France and working in London, England; both centers of art and fashion, for inspiring her interest in photography. Today her photos capture moments in wildlife that most of us likely wouldn’t ever be fortunate enough to see otherwise. Her care and respect for animals goes well beyond photography.
Meet Murphy
Don’t let the tie fool you! He is master of all trades and of the house. There is nothing like a dog to bring merriment into your life, but this guy knew he owned us the moment he arrived in our life. “The Murph” is an expert ATV and snowmobile traveller, and has been on many an expedition with us, trapping, hunting, and fishing.
Going on 13 this year, he has been known to run off black bears, fly through the air in pursuit of a pesky red squirrel, hide that special ruffed grouse wing in the strangest of places, and steal a place in your heart.
Our FurWest mascot knows that life is all about a lasting connection. From Murphy to you, he remembers…and wonders if you brought biscuits for him.
NAFA has awarded Wayne Schigol a Certificate of Recognition acknowledging his exemplary fur handling, placing him in the top 5% of Wild Fur handlers in North America. This is a unique award as it is the first of its kind.
NAFA is the second largest fur auction house in the world, and the largest in North America, with a tradition in excellence dating back to 1670 and its Hudson Bay Company roots. Today, NAFA offers the world’s fur buyers the largest and most comprehensive collection of high quality Wild Fur.