Trapping Scents
Best Scents for Trapping Specific Animals
Coyotes
Coyotes respond strongly to combinations of meat-based baits, glandular estrus oils, and urine that signal territorial intrusions. Long-call gland lures—those formulated with skunk quill—are especially potent in cold weather for drawing coyotes from a distance. Placing a pea-sized dab of estrus gland lure over your trap bed, a few drops of coyote urine on surrounding vegetation, and a meat-based bait (such as aged beaver or muskrat carcass) will trigger hunger, curiosity, and territorial drives simultaneously.
Foxes
Red and gray foxes often key in on rodent and rabbit odors. A rabbit-urine or mouse-gland lure will provoke a hunger response, while catnip-infused “curiosity” lures pique their investigative instincts. Popular commercial formulas include Cat-Man-Do and GH-II, which blend rodent oils with subtle sweet notes. To extend the effective window, apply these lures sparingly on cotton pads above your set and refresh every 5–7 days in mild weather.
Raccoons
Fish oils and cultured egg bases are raccoon magnets. Adding smoke oil (just a few drops per pint of ground fish or egg mash) cuts through foliage and attracts raccoons from a wide radius. This smoky-fish combination consistently outperforms straight fish bait in early and mid-season trapping. Anchor your oil or egg paste to a natural visual—even a tuft of sheep’s wool—near the trap entrance for maximum hold time.
Bobcats
Bobcats are drawn to feline gland secretions and high-octane curiosity blends. Gland lures such as Feline Fix or Voo-Doo contain cat cheek and foot gland extracts, often combined with bird feather fibers for a visual cue. Mount a small smear of lure on a stick or feathered post 6–8 inches above your dirt-hole or flat set to call them in, then back it up with a small meat bait at the trap bed for the hunger response.
Mink and Weasels
Mustelids hunt by scent and will follow strong fish or fur-based trails. Dark trout oil, fish meal paste, or mink-specific food lures rubbed into driftwood or under brush will entice mink and weasels to linger. For trailing setups, dilute fish oil with a little vegetable glycerin and wick it along small sticks or flagging to lead them directly into cage or foothold sets.
Muskrats
Muskrats are primarily herbivores but will hit starch-based baits aggressively during early freeze-up. Chunky potato pieces or corn grit placed on #110 triggers can produce “gangbuster” takes in November–December. Pair your starch bait with a light spray of muskrat castor oil on nearby cattail stubble to trigger both hunger and territorial investigation.
Beavers
Beaver sets hinge on territorial gland cues and visual landmarks. Build a small “castor mound” beside the set, packing beaver castor oil into a cotton-rope-wrapped stick or rock pile. The combination of strong castor and a visual target—like a peeled poplar stick—will provoke beavers to nose around the mound and step into your trap bed.
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Caven’s – Tree Climber Fisher and Marten Lure – Select Size
View Available Sizes – Originally developed for fisher and marten in the North, this lure has proven highly effective on southern traplines as well. Its powerful scent consistently also attracts fox, coyote, bobcat, and raccoon, making it a versatile choice for any mixed-line trapper.
$16.99 -
Milligan Brand – Long Distance Call Lure Skunk Essence -1 Oz
✔ – This lure is a paste form under 70 degrees. Proven effective for fox, coyote, bobcat, marten, fisher, mink and coons. Directions on the label. Made In USA.
$16.99 -
Southern Snares – Coon Collector Persimmon Raccoon Bait 8 oz
✔ – Works all year long and easy to use. Works with all Traps including Dog Proof, Cage and Coil-spring Traps. Can be used by itself or along with any other brand or type of Raccoon bait or lure.
$13.95 -
Dunlap’s – Coon Fish Lure – Select Size
✔ Select Size – Dunlap’s Coon Fish Lure has a heavy fishy odor that is highly attractive to coon and mink. The fresh fish aroma, this lure is very effective at pocket sets.
$8.00 -
Caven’s – Violator 7 Predator Gland Lure – Select Size
Select Size – Caven’s Violator 7 – Predator Gland and Call Trapping Lure. A thick, strong, musky lure for Coyote, Fox, Bobcat, Fisher, Marten and Raccoon. After aging for a full year, it is fixed and stabilized.
$16.99 -
Kishels – Crossbreed Lure 1 oz.
✔ – From finicky early season coyotes of Wyoming to the harsh winter fox of New York, this lure has proven itself reliable time and time again. This lure has proven itself reliable.
$17.17 -
Animal Control Products – Flattails Surprise 1 Ounce
✔ – 1 ounce jar beaver castor base & beaver gland lure. Thick and long lasting. Freeze proof, for use on mound sets.
$15.00 -
Dobbins – Muskrat Lure #1 – 1 Ounce Jar
This muskrat lure has the ingredients that muskrats crave.
It works well at all lured sets. Has proven itself all over the United States
1 Ounce Jar$16.99 -
Predator Control Group – Otter Call 1 Oz
Locklear’s Otter Call Lure is a proven otter call lure that is loaded with otter calling musks and oils. It is a thick paste lure that can add several otters to your catch.
Made In USA
1 Ounce Jar$16.99 -
F&T Fur – Reuwsaat’s Green Fever Beaver Lure – 1 oz
Lesel Reuwsaat’s Green Fever Beaver Lure is a castor based lure with moderate birch overtones.
Excellent all year round, but particularly effective in early spring and late fall.
Thick and sticky consistency ensures it stays put – no matter where you put it.$7.50 -
Dunlap Lures – Dead Mans Hand Beaver Lure – Select Size
Dead Man’s Hand Lure is a food type lure
It works great on beaver who won’t come to a castor mound set.
This lure is very effective year-round.$16.99 -
Kishel’s – Beaver Butter Lure – Select Size
Kishel’s Beaver Butter Lure is a blended gland lure loaded to the hills with sweet northern castors, musks and oils. Very thick and pungent. This lure sparks their territorial instincts.
$38.99 -
Carman’s – Wind River Beaver Lure – 1 oz
Russ Carman Lures
Weasel Trapping Lure
Wide Mouth Lure Jar$7.00 -
Cavens – Beaver Castor Lure – 4 Ounce Jar
Ground and preserved.
One of the oldest animal attractors known to man.
Use to create a lure, use straight at a castor mound set, or smear on a post for a post set.$42.99 -
Pete Rickard’s – Beaver Food Lure – 2 Oz
✔ – Help hunters achieve successful hunts. For hunters, fishermen and trappers. Tested and used by the best trappers.
$6.00 -
No-BS Lures – Beaver Caster – 4 oz Jar
No-BS Beaver Caster Beaver castor ground and preserved. Attractive to all furbearers. Heavy paste second to none.
Large 4 Ounce Jar$39.99 -
Predator Control Group – Enrager Lure for Beaver 1 Oz
Locklear’s Enrager Lure is a castor-based scent that has one very powerful ingredient that’s not very well known. This is a king beaver scent during fur season and a very important lure on control lines.
Made In USA
1 Ounce Jar$16.99 -
Night Owl Lures – Castor Master Beaver Lure – Select Size
Night Owl Castor Master Lure is a blend of food ingredients that are natural to the beaver’s diet.
These ingredients are put into a paste form for ease of use around the water$38.99 -
Blackies Blend – Tail Slapper Beaver Lure – Select Size
Packed with a hefty charge of northern castor for its foundation.
Enriched and enlivened by a select lace of oils.
Put up in waterproof paste to withstand high water/rain at castor mounds.$16.99 -
Western Lures – Damage Stopper Beaver Lure – 4 oz
Damage Stopper is a beaver lure made thick and long lasting.
Only the best castors and oil sacks are used along with a good amount of food items that beavers crave.
Will also take muskrat and coon.$38.99
