8 CIRCULAR 2, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



A few drops of scent are now applied (fig. 3, C) to the weed, cluster 

 of grass, or stubble used as the scent post. A scent tested and 

 successfully used by Government hunters is made as follows: 



Put into a bottle the urine pnd the gall of a wolf or a coyote, 

 depending on which is to be trapped, and also the anal glands, which 

 are situated under the skin on either side of the vent 

 Scenting and resemble small pieces of bluish fat. If these glands 

 can not be readily found, the whole anal parts may be 

 used. To every 3 ounces of the mixture add 1 ounce of glycerin, to 

 give it body and to prevent too rapid evaporation, and 1 grain of 

 corrosive sublimate to keep it from spoiling. 



Let the mixture stand several days, then shake well and scatter 

 a few drops on weeds or ground 6 or 8 inches from the place where the 

 trap is set. The farther from the travelway the trap is set, the 

 more scent will be needed. A little of the scent should be rubbed on 

 the trapper's gloves and shoe soles to conceal the human odor. 



If the animals become "wise" to this kind of scent, an effective 

 fish scent may be prepared in the following way : 



Grind the flesh of sturgeon, eels, suckers, carp, or other oily variety 

 of coarse fish in a sausage mill, p^ace in strong tin or iron cans, and 

 leave in a warm place of even temperature to decompose thoroughl^^ 

 Provide each can with a small vent to allow the escape of gas (other- 

 wise there is danger of explosion), but screen the aperture with a 

 fold of cloth to prevent flies depositing eggs, as the scent seems to 

 lose much of its ciuality if many maggots develop. This scent may 

 be used within 3 days after it is prepared, but it is more lasting and 

 penetrating after a lapse of 30 days. It is also very attractive to 

 livestock, and its use on heavily stocked ranges is not recommended, 

 as cattle are attracted to such scent stations and will spring the 

 traps. 



An excellent system for a hunter to follow is to commence with 

 a quantity of groimd fish placed m large iron containers, similar to 

 a milk can. As the original lot is used on the trap line, it should be 

 replenished by adding more ground fresh fish. The addition from 

 time to time of new material seems to improve the cpiality of the 

 scent mixture. 



Where no moisture has fallen, rescenting of scent posts need be 

 done only every four or five days. In wet weather every third day 

 is good practice. For dropping the scent it is best to use a 2 to 4 

 ounce shaker-corked bottle. 



The actual trapping of a wolf or a coyote by the method here 

 described occurs when the animal comes over its runway and is 

 attracted to the "post" by the scent that has been dropped. In 

 approaching the spot for a smell the animal invariably puts a foot on 

 the concealed pan; the jaws are thus released and the foot is securely 

 held. The place where a wolf or a coyote has thus been caught 

 affords an excellent location for l reset after the animal has been 

 removed from the trap. This is due to the natural scent dropped 

 by the animal while in the trap. 



It is advisable always to wear gloves while setting traps and to use 

 them for no other purpose than for trap setting. 



U, S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1941 



MBL WHOI Libra 



WHSE 00068 



