Several of the DVDs I've watched already have made mention of the fact that skunk scent sprayed around a set (both left on purpose out of some sort of scent-dispersal system or naturally after a catch) serves to attract other animals in.

I'm curious: It seems as if skunk spray would be alarming to another animal -- not enticing.

Why do you believe it works?

I don't think I'd spray it around. Skunk scent triggers a rolling reaction in some animals (including my dog).

JMO, the same reason rattling horns and squealing rabbits draw in bucks and predators. Eau de Skunk usually means something went down and natural curiosity just says to go check it out.

I always believed the natural instinct of a predator (even humans) is to mask their appearance. That is the reason they roll in skunks, dead animals, even animals poo.
Also natural curiosity gets them there.
Not sure the real reason for the attraction though.

Canines and bobcats like to roll and rub such musky odors on thier face and fur. Perhaps it is has been said that it is a cover scent for hunting and stalking. All animals are interested in the musk odors of other animals no matter whether they are pleasant smelling like muskrat musk or as rank as skunk musk. Perhaps this is simply curiosity or perhaps some think some other animal species is marking thier already established territory. One other thing comes to mind, when it comes to canines I believe the addition of skunk in a lure serves as a suspicion remover in the a suspiciously wary coyote or red fox may think all is well as a familiar species buried something at the set. There is a lot we will never know about animals no matter how long we trap. Asa
PS- I don't believe anyone should or needs to spray a set, just the addition of a hint of skunk in the lure or bait will make it more attractive and also allay possible suspicion about the set.

Like Ace said, I wouldn't spray it around a set, but, I have always had excellent success catching foxes after catching a skunk at the same set. Dan.

like the rest i think i wouldnt spray it. ive always believed, especially to k9's, that the skunk smell means a free meal. for instance, when your driving down the road nothing catches your attention more than the skunk smell and you know immediatly that someone ran one over. a k9 thinks the same only to him its that there is a free meal/ something to roll in at the source of that smell.

I believe a wind assisted scent trail of "skunk essence" and /or skunk blended in with other ingredients drifting silently thru the air triggers a very curious trait in most predators. Causing them to at times drift immediately towards the odor to investigate its origin. At other times I believe it may exhibit only a fleeting interest by them until the mood strikes them.

Also I believe the intensity and determined closeness of the odor origin may affect their response urgency.When the timing is on the button a strong odor drift of essence can really lite the internal fire of predators.

I have seen in the snow where 3 and 4 coyotes have come in to a call lured set with elevated positioned LDC doing its job.Back tracking in the snow showed where they caught the odor.

It stopped them, and it looked as if the tracks showed them attempting to get a better direction on the odor.Alot of stride breaking and brief walking around at this point told this story. They changed direction some 170 plus paces out following directly into the wind right up to my double set location.I estimate the distance to be about 150 yards or so.

It was in the teens temperature wise with high gusts of wind throughout that previous nite.Skunk was the main carrier with other ingredients being carried with the essence.What ever the reason predators find interest, some quickly and others at a more leisurely pace.

Bob,

Forgive my ignorance, as I'm trying to absorb as much as I can in a very short time... LDC?

I'll answer while Bob is out, LDC is referring to a Long Distance Call lure. Asa

Some predators eat skunk, I don't think the smell bothers them.

SPOT ON.......

i dont know but coyotes and fox love it there is even a set called the skunk tail set

Bob should a LDC be applied in an elevated position? I always apply it to the rim of a dirthole or my sets whatever they are..

In areas of wide open range, large open fields, pastures, ridge tops,rock out cropping areas working cats, etc. I have always made it part of my set up to add an elevated LDC lure or some other potentially volatile material in these more open locations. Some use strong fish juice as an LDC. I use LDC in a hole, on an object and/or elevated at times.It all depends on what I have to work with at that location as to what I will use.

I dont use an LDC at every setup. Just where I feel it may give me a bit more down range effect.LDC also wont make up for a poor location. But it will help to boost your sets potential scent drift in some locations and allow for predators to home in on your primary odor presentation at your sets.

Madtrapper wrote...Some predators eat skunk, I don't think the smell bothers them.

I have seen numerous times by tracks in the sand where both coyote and bobcat have killed skunks and tore them apart with the coyotes sometimes also eating them. Asa

Our predators must be getting plenty to eat or they like to kill the skunks themselves. I have kept an eye on dead skunks in good predator habitat and they were never touched for a month. I have a little LDC lure on one of my cat cubbies as of this morning. Should I reset the same trap at the cubbie or should I build a new one a short distance away with a fresh trap? I have not had much luck resetting skunky traps,but I did this one cause it was a looooong way from the truck.

Great input guys.

As far as the "skunky trap", I was told when I tagged along on a trapline that if the scent makes it on to the trap itself, it'd have to be boiled and basically would be done for the year; if not, it was likely to be dug up.

Another newbie query: This is the second time I've seen the term "cubbie"... fill me in if you don't mind real quick.

And thanks for the patience, gang... I know how others feel now when they come to me seeking archery advice. To tell you the truth, it's refreshingly fun to be on this side of the learning fence again.

i know my dog got sprayed by one ... she got taught a lesson now she wont even go near that trap

Cubby; a small natural or more often manmade cavity (hollow log, stacked rocks, piled branches, etc.) used for trapping. Bait/lure is often placed inside the cubby with the trap/s guarding the entrance. Modern variations on the cubby; 220 bucket set and weasel boxes.