18 
FOREST AND STREAM 
January, 1919 
WHEN AND HOW TO USE BAITS IN TRAPPING 
THE MAJORITY OF THE METHODS EMPLOYED BY BEGINNERS ARE AT FAULT BECAUSE 
THE WRONG DECOY IS SELECTED OR THE RIGHT ONE IS IMPROPERLY ARRANGED 
By GEORGE J. THIESSEN 
T he professional trapper uses de- 
coys. So does the amateur, only 
too often and not in the right way. 
An examination of the sets made by 
young trappers during the past few 
years reveals the fact that they actually 
decrease their chances of success by em- 
ploying lures. Most instances showed 
clearly that attractors were employed 
when not needed; that is, traps placed 
in position where even the best baits 
would make fur bearers suspicious. Par- 
ticularly was this true of attempts to 
catch mink and raccoon. Further, fully 
seventy per cent of the methods employed 
by beginners disclosed that either the 
wrong decoy was selected or if the right 
one, improperly arranged. Sometimes 
both faults were apparent. With prac- 
tically all raw furs in good demand and 
the pelt hunters using their money to 
buy, so far as possible. Liberty Bonds, 
War Savings and Thrift Stamps, a few 
suggestions on baits and their use will 
prove of value. 
Success in trapping, like that of any- 
thing else, depends largely upon the 
knowledge had of it. Too often is it 
true that the trapper will start out with 
a few homemade or steel traps to 
get hides of animals he knows nothing 
about. The best preparation for the pelt 
hunter is to study the habits of the fur 
bearers he would take; know where to 
look for them; how they get their food; 
what they eat — in fact a hundred and 
one things which only experience will ^ 
bring. As proof of this statement, it is 
well known that the professional taker 
of skins does not let an opportunity go 
by to learn his trapping grounds thor- 
oughly, including the location of dens and 
runways. Every sign tells a story to 
those who can read it. Old trappers can 
tell instantly by the tracks and other 
indications whether an animal is trav- 
eling, feeding or seeking its burrow. Not 
a thing eludes the trained senses. And 
when the time comes, all these little 
details which escape the eye of the young 
pelt hunter is used to advantage by the 
experienced. 
T he best time to study fur bearers 
is early in the fall. At this sea- 
son they are most active, preparing 
their winter quarters and storing up 
food. A good flash-light will help too, 
for with it the beginner can locate tracks 
under shelving banks, in dark holes and 
runways, which otherwise might be 
passed by. The hours put to such use 
will bring big returns. 
Generally speaking, all of the small 
animals eat flesh with the exception of 
the muskrat. This lives on vegetables. 
Although some claim it will gnaw meat, 
my experiments have never proven the 
assertion. The ’coon can be lured with 
The sets must not be neglected 
either kind of a bait. Since speciflc lures 
will be discussed later for each of the 
commoner fur bearers, it is not neces- 
sary to go into details now. 
Attractors may be divided into two 
kinds: natural and artificial. Of the 
former there are the foods ; of the latter, 
scents and other devices designed to at- 
tract attention. Briefly, the natural de- 
coys will be given : 
Skunk: This fur bearer prefers bloody 
meat, especially if fresh. The carcasses 
of muskrats are good, too. If rabbit 
is employed, it is best to rip open the 
belly so the entrails protrude. Dead 
poultry even if decayed sometimes is 
worthy of trial. Mice and small birds 
do not, as a rule, give good results. 
Avoid crows, hawks and owls. 
Civet Cat: Like the previous animal, 
fresh bloody meat is good. The other 
baits mentioned are recommended, too. 
Small birds if plucked are excellent. Rot- 
ten fish may be employed also. 
Raccoon : Like its larger brother the 
bear, the ’coon always seems hungry. It 
likes honey, especially if in the comb. 
Small fish — fresh, canned and smoked — 
are excellent attractors. Clams, corn 
and similar are often employed. 
Opossum : Small birds of the reed va- 
riety when plucked give good results. 
Sardines, those put up in oil, are very 
effective. The head of a smoked bloater 
is recommended. The skin is good, too; 
in fact a waste which is better than the 
flesh. This is true in other cases. 
Mink: In most cases the flesh of mus- 
krat and rabbit is best. Small rather 
than large pieces are recommended. 
Fish, mussels, crabs, and similar, can 
be used also. Some consider the head 
of a chicken an ideal lure, but in my 
experiments I have found most of the 
others mentioned more effective. 
Weasel: The head of a rabbit ar- 
ranged naturally, fresh meat and blood, 
can be depended upon. Muskrat flesh 
is a good decoy also. 
Muskrat: Parsnips head the list of 
natural baits, because of the pungent 
odor. Carrots, turnips, potatoes, beets, 
corn — in fact almost any of the vege- 
tables — are used by professionals. One 
of the best trappers I knew employed 
apples almost exclusively. Sometimes he 
switched to cabbage and pumpkins. 
Whenever a decoy of any kind is se- 
lected, with one exception for taking 
raccoon, it should be placed near the set 
in such a position that the fur bearer 
in investigating will be caught. The 
bait must not be on the trap for the 
ordinary methods. However, the ’coon 
being inquisitive will investigate bright 
objects in the water, invariably reach- 
ing for them with a paw. Pelt hunters, 
therefore, often fasten a piece of bright 
tin or a piece of looking glass to the pan 
of a trap, concealing the rest with moss 
or water-soaked leaves. This instance is 
the only one where bait ought be so 
arranged. Experiments with the method 
has convinced me that in ordinary usage, 
it may be dispensed -with entirely. 
One of the best artificial scents for 
flesh-eaters may be made by chopping up 
fish and letting them rot in an open- 
mouthed jar. When after muskrat, cut 
up a beaver castor and let it soak for 
several days in alcohol. Castorum — the 
other name for castors — can be had at 
almost any drug storer. Fur firms are 
able many times to supply it also. One 
gland is sufficient for a whole season 
with the average pelt hunter. Only a 
few drops of the liquid are necessary as 
a decoy. 
T here are many patent baits upon 
the market. Some of these are 
very good and others worthless. 
Regardless of the claims of the manu- 
facturers, none are magic compounds 
which will actually drag animals into 
traps. If one cannot get furs without 
them — if his sets are crude — success need 
not be expected with even the best at- 
tractor. And let me say for them that 
were I to go on a line, there is any one 
of a half dozen I might select and 
get results. There are others I would 
not use. Experiments covering several 
years in a number of locations, convinced 
me that the so-called scent actually re- 
pelled. I have in mind a demonstration 
in Iowa w’here one lure would draw 
mink from their regular runway, fifteen 
or twenty yards almost without fail. 
