[g3trappernc]

Can you guys use bait in PA? I use bait at all of my dirtholes, with a little lure on the backing. The best bait I use is made by a friend and is bobcat meat based. He gets all of the bobcat carcasses from a local fur buyer and uses all of the meat and glands. Can't keep the grey fox out of it, which [censored], because I don't have a fox season in my county.....LOL....

I do run a small line in an adjacent county each year which does have a fox season, and that helps some....

 

[dietsch]

bait is legal in pa , personally I don't use any until a deep freeze

 

[CoonDuke]

I use a couple good call lures...some commercial and some I make.

It is really hard to beat a good red fox gland lure for both fox and coyotes. RFG is very versatile at just about any type of set and effective all season.

If a trapper had a good fox gland lure, a good beaver castor lure, tinctured skunk essence, and a sweet food lure (coon, rats), and shellfish oil they could kill all the fur bearers in PA with little need for other attractors.

 

[Fairchild #17]

CoonDuke...... where, how, when and what critters do you like the skunk for?
Do you feel it's needed for canines in the bitter late season temps?

 

[CoonDuke]

I started using it instead of an LDC upwind of some canine sets where I feel it is hard to pin down exact location. I don't use it at a lot of locations but I feel it has its place.

I included it with the other lures because skunk is the go-to lure for many fisher trappers all over the US and Canada and I also think skunk is useful at cat sets.

 

[dietsch]

skunk and beaver , = skunky backbreaker . I tried that combo a few years ago , didn't work for me , which I found weird as either one alone works great although I am partial to just the castor

 

[CoonDuke]

As for the late winter question...my opinion is no. If I feel I am on location I am confident I can make consistent catches with fox urine alone. If I am not certain on my location, then I might go with a stronger call lure at the set or skunk or LDC upwind of the set.

Some might say if a trapper is not sure of a location then don't set it. My opinion is that that if I only set "perfect" locations, I wouldn't get many traps set. Enough "mediocre" locations with good access and within the loop can add a lot of fur with very little extra time or extra energy spent. A guy just has to be able to stomach looking at some empty traps.

 

[CoonDuke]

I know a lot of good trappers who use castor for canines. I use it as in ingredient in some lures and feel it has value. Testing straight castor in front of a trailcam I found foxes had very little interest in it. Maybe it was due to the time of the year I tested it but I saw very little reaction to it.

Not disagreeing with anyone because I know many have success with castor, but the trailcam footage really surprised me.

Fairchild, I know your buddy Nick W. would disagree with castor not being attractive to fox and I ain't gonna argue with a lure making legend like Nick...just passing on something I saw in a small window of time that kinda surprised me.

 

[CoonDuke]

This is what I look for in a canine lure. The lure stick was pulled out by another fox and is laying on the ground in front of the rock. This fox still worked the hole aggressively for the residual odor.

If you notice at the end of the video, the fox marks a spot of the ground. This was an old lure hole with the same lure and the foxes are still attracted to the spot. It was weeks since it was lured and was under water for a time (large mud puddle).

I used this lure pretty heavily on the trapline last season and had good luck with it.

 

[Fairchild #17]

I agree with the use of skunk, and that is precisely how I like to use it.
Nice video. And that lure would be.........?

 

[CoonDuke]

It's a homemade lure...a mild food/call.

 

[Gill33]

Anyone can't find circle maker? I found it in stock, made an online order then sent an email to the company to verify that it was in stock. I had a reply quickly at 9 pm and said it is in stock and on shortage due to mink gland shortage. They have a limited stock if anyone needs any. I have never dealt with them but will deal with them a lot due to excellent customer service. I got a second email explaining why its on shortage among other things that they did not have to reply and tell me.

COON CREEK TRAPPERS....... Tionesta, PA

 

[Banjoman]

I love when a simple thread brings the good guys out from the shadows! Great info!

Bill Morgans Pro-Squeezings. Overnight results on <span style="font-weight: bold">K-9 Thunder</span>.

 

[bux&dux]

GH-||. and cravens Minnesota red.

 

[Forestman3]

Coonduke why don`t you put the skunk lure down the hole?

 

[CoonDuke]

Never really tried it down the hole because I have other lures I have confidence in. Some of the lures are skunky but not nearly as powerful as the straight essence tincture.

 

[wardog]

From my experience...

Jameson gland
Jameson xxxmatrix
urine from a reputable dealer

Keg creek has line of baits I have had good success with and makes a wide selection of K-9 lures..... He's putting out some real good stuff.

 

[Denny Emery]

Marty makes some great lure......

Denny