Well, I'm glad someone is finding this useful, Archangel1. I'm just getting started on this, what you see so far is pretty much just an introduction. If I have time tomorrow, I'll start actually giving some recipes for some of these baits and lures.

There are plenty of books and articles on trapping, and there are some examples available online , and I'll certainly be throwing my own experience into this project, but nothing beats just plain going out there and trying it. You probably won't have much success at first, but you will be learning.

I don't know what critters there are in your neck of the woods, but I'd be willing to bet there's more rabbits, squirrels, and muskrats there than you may think. There are a number of field guides to animal tracks and signs, but for my money this is the best of them . Get a copy of this, and take a walk around the woods or a local park. Get yourself used to looking for footprints, chewed or scratched bark on trees, and nibbled ends of young shoots. See any cattails? I'll bet there's a critter around there eating them.

You have to get used to seeing things you've seen your whole life, but in a different light. If you know what critters are around, I'll guarantee you can catch them. It just takes practice and patience.

Onward and upward,
airforce