Okay, let's get started making some skunk and opossum baits. Both of these critters are increasingly making their homes in suburban areas. The opossum is even establishing itself in New York City, thanks to some unnamed bureaucrat who thought it might be a good idea to bring in opossums to help control the rodent population. So now, if you live in Brooklyn, it's no longer unusual to see these things slinking around.

Skunk and opossum lure #1

Proportionately, this consists of 32 parts boned chicken and 32 parts boned fish. Following the directions for sun-rendered fish oil above, cut into cubes, place in glass jars, and let it rot in the sun until it turns to liquid.

When used in a box trap or cubby set, about a teaspoonful is enough when used alone. If you're using it with another bait such as overripe fruit, use about half a teaspoon.

Note that you may attract a coon to this set also, since they don't mind smelly baits at all. And if you think there may be a fox in the area, add 1 part asafoetida and 1/2 part skunk essence.

Skunk and opossum bait #2

This loud stink bait is made by combining rotten eggs with rank limburger cheese (that's the cheese that smells like a Frenchman's foot, even on a good day).

Limburger cheese comes in two types. If it's the kind that comes in slabs, it can be used as is. If it comes in a jar, place it out in the sun with the lid loosened for a few weeks to allow it to turn rank.

The eggs should be allowed to turn half rotten, so that they provide loud egg odors, but are not so rotten that you can't tell they're eggs.

Break the eggs and put them into some container such as a sauce pan, shells and all. Spoon the cheese over the eggs and stir well. Add a few drops of strong fixative such as rue and about a half pint of glycerine oil.

Place the container of the roof of a shed, or someplace where the sun will warm the contents for about three weeks. Put a pane of glass over the container, weighted down with a brick or stone, and oversized to keep out the rain.

When this is completed, hold your nose and spoon the contents into bottles for later use. Use about a heaping tablespoon at a set. Raccoon and gray fox may also visit this set, since they don't seem to mind stink baits either.

Onward and upward,
airforce