CANTON MUSK

A musk from Asian and Indian deer. Usually only the artificial product is available, which works well.

CARAMEL ESSENCE

A sweetener, best known for its use in candies. It's attractive to muskrats and especially to raccoon. I've never used this, but on a whim I once baited a cubby with a Tootsie Roll and caught a coon with it. Not exactly a scientific test, but hey.

CATNIP

many years ago when my daughters were little, even their pet kitten got a Christmas gift. The catnip-filled toy kept the feline occupied for quite a while, until it finally figured out there really wasn't anything good in it. Catnip, combined with the cat's natural scent glands, is a favorite bait for cats. The manufactured substitute is as good or better as the original, and is also often used in formulation for raccoon and beaver lures.

CHERRY

A concentrated oil, derived from trees bearing the wild fruit. Used as a straight lure and in formulation for muskrat and raccoon.

CUMIN
CUMMINGS
CHENOPODIUM

These are used as fixatives in both lures and baits, mostly for canines. They are extremely powerful (cumin especially so) and should be used sparingly, or else their odors will dominate the lure or bait.

FENNEL

This comes from a plant in the carrot family. It's used both as a straight lure and in formulation for muskrat, raccoon, and beaver. Sometimes even foxes, apparently eager for a change of pace, are attracted to it. I don't have as much experience with this one as I should, simply because sweetflag and spearmint seem to work better on the traplines I've had.

LAVENDER

An oil from a plant in the mint family, prized even in Biblical times for its use in perfumes. Attractive to both muskrat and raccoon.

LOVAGE

A "passion" ingredient for fox, coyote, and wolf lures. Used only in formulation, where the lovage is most usually the dominating odor.

MUSKARO, OR MUSCARO

A musky scent derived from a number of ingredients. Sometimes used as a straight lure, but usually used in formulation with other ingredients for muskrat, raccoon, beaver, and fox. Its fixative qualities make it especially suitable for this.

OAK MOSS RESINOID

Another powerful fixative that was used in old-time fox, coyote, and wolf lures. Like most fixatives, it should be used very sparingly.

ORRIS

Used as a fixative since before the time of Christ, its roots are still dried, powdered, and used in sachets. Used in fox, coyote, and wolf lures. This is another product I haven't yet tried.

PENNYROYAL

This is a plant that used to be common in pastures and feed lots. The genuine product is hard to find today, but manufactured substitutes are quite close. Used for muskrat and raccoon, who like the minty odor. My experience with this one is very limited.

PEPPERMINT

One of my two favorite muskrat lures, also used for raccoon. It's often overlooked because of the high price, but this is extremely powerful. No more than a drop or two is needed at a set, which makes this lure very cost-effective.

POPLAR

Used only as a straight lure for muskrat and beaver. My experience with this is very limited.

RHODIUM

Usually used in combination with muskrat musk, beaver castor or both. Also used with fennel. Attracts muskrats, raccoon, and beaver.

More later. As always, your comments are welcome.

Onward and upward,
airforce