Beaver pelts are thick and lustrous, factors which led to extensive trapping of beavers for both their pelts and their meat. The fatty tail, which is reputed to be very good tasting, was considered to be a delicacy. In many areas, beavers had been exterminated by trapping by the 1900s. Trapping regulations were enacted to protect beavers and this drove up the price of beaver pelts, making them unaffordable to most people.