I see the term fixative used a lot in discussions about lure formulation. What exactly is meant by this term. When I hear fixative I think of glue or something used to set something else?

Also I am looking for a refrence for collecting glands from trapped critters. Is there a book on the market that explains where to locate and extract coyote or bobcat glands for instance? I know how to remove castor glands and there is a great demo in the archives for that but Im wondering about predators.

Maybe this should have been two topics?

Thanks - Rob

Question 2 - there is a booklet available about locating and removing animal glands.

Fur Bearers and Their Glands, by Glen Hanson, paperback, 15 pages, Second Printing (March 2001), book size - 8.5" x 5.5"

A fixative is an ingredient that tends to stabilize the odor of a formulation. Once the formulation has reached the odor you want, adding the fixative will help to stabilize that odor to keep it from changing greatly. The lure odor will change over time regardless.... they usually mello a bit with age.

thanks KB one good series of questions and two great responses. You have to love this site....Tom

thanks fellas, so a fixative would be used when mixing multiple ingredients and you get the desired smell, add the fixative to set that lure and keep the odor from changing much. I suppose you still have to deal with things like heat, cold, moisture and the like.

Also thanks for the book title

- Rob

Rob also I have found that storing in platic seems to change the odor I am seeking to an extent. Getting harder to find those old wide mouth gallon glass jars, I just don't eat that many pickles...LOL Tom

Need glass jars??
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/hsh/308014798.html

I also like glass, but most of my stuff is done in 5 gallon buckets. But its not stored in the buckets for extended periods. About a year is the norm, then bottled.

However, I do like to age my canine and cat glands in glass.

The Mount Olive pickle factory is just down the road, so jars come easily here.

Fixatives themselves will add their own odor to the formula which must be taken into consideration. I honestly have yet to find a substance that will actually hold the desired odor forever. As Paul stated, time will change a lure but as long as the effectiveness isnt altered thats fine with me.

Thanks for the lead Paul, just a little far to pick up,,,LOL cat and coyote is all I make so glass is what I like, read it on here, tried both and use glass. Thanks to TMan again.

I agree that fixatives help somewhat but that lures are still going to change odor somewhat over time as Paul stated. The most powerful and effective fixative I am aware of is Rue Oil but as Dave P pointed out one has to know what they are doing and exactly how much to use or Rue oil will alter the odor of their desired formula. It takes a lot of trial, error and waiting through ageing the lure to work with Rue. Lesser fixatives are some common lure ingredients such as beaver castor and skunk musk. Both of the above have been used in the perfume industry to fix expensive perfumes. Ambergris used to be a good one but is no longer available, at least at a price one could afford to put in a $4.00 bottle of lure. Ace

So why is Rue preferred in gland lures for canines?

Also, I am in kindergarten compared to the guys responding here, but are you guys using metal lids on the jars? I have found them to not stand up well to certain things, compared to plastic lids.