The formulating of trapping baits and lures are, in my opinion at least, a fascinating hobby within a hobby. Most trappers simply purchase their lures and baits from various vendors, and there's nothing wrong with that. But I've always been a cheapskate, and I have the added advantage of having certain formulas and techniques passed down to me. If there's any interest, I'm willing to share some of these lures and baits here.
To be sure, trapping isn't what it used to be even a few years ago. If you ask me how many foxes or raccoons I'm willing to trap, skin, and process for a lousy ten bucks, my answer is "Not very many." Add to that the sad fact that my arthritis keeps getting worse every year, and it's pretty obvious that my trapping has slowed considerably. This past season, it was nonexistent.
But that may change. Fashions are fickle, and maybe fur garments will stage a comeback. And if the economy becomes dire enough, well, I may not have a choice. Ten bucks is certainly better than nothing.
If no one's interested, that's fine. There aren't many books around on making lures and baits, and maybe I can write one and sell it on Kindle. But I thought I'd gauge the interest here first.
