We have all seen numerous posts and lure advertisements on lures that are to be used for the early season or late season.

Generally the skunk laced high smelling lures are reserved or refered to the late season.

When exactly (generally also works here) does the "late season" begin to where the more pungent lures are to be used?

I was taught to use the louder smelling lures later in the season when the temps are normally colder.

I was taught that when using loud lure in milder conditions, there is a three day to a week wait time for the set to "air out" and be approached by the canine. When using milder smelling, well-blended lures of multiple ingredients, the ratio of first night catches as opposed to loud smelling lures is predictable.

I sent some of my milder canine lures to a good trapper in a northern tier state and he wrote back that the first night catches were amazing with those lures as opposed to the louder lures he had been using. While this is an anecdotal example, it is representative of the many responses I've received about some of my milder lures.

I trapped coyotes in western Kansas last winter and the middle of Nov. and the tempature was in the 70s I used bait with skunk essence in it and it worked great. Caught alot of coyotes the first night. I have always had good luck with bait and skunk essence in any tempature.

Ok, I need to clarify a bit. Skunk is a natural smell that is encountered frequently in the canine's travels, and doesn't seem to require the "airing out" time. Its the other ingredients when used in excess that seems to cause the canines to be non-responsive for a few days to a week.

That might explain it then...

I usually wind up using the same "LOUD" lures in the summer months and just use a little less to tone it down. I always assumed the delay in connection during the summer months was related to the fact that I sweat like a pig when maklng sets in 95 degree weather.,

Paul wrote...
Ok, I need to clarify a bit. Skunk is a natural smell that is encountered frequently in the canine's travels, and doesn't seem to require the "airing out" time. Its the other ingredients when used in excess that seems to cause the canines to be non-responsive for a few days to a week.

I agree 100%. I generally used a lot lure with skunk musk in the formulation when I trapped for bounty during the hot Summer months. I think skunk odor can make a set seem more natural and get a quicker set acceptance by serving as a suspicion remover. I don't think one can overdo skunk essence in a lure except when it becomes so overpowering that it nullifies all of the other milder ingredients in the lure. There isn't much point in putting say muskrat glands in the lure and then drowing out its milder odor with excessive skunk. I use the same lures Summer and Winter but I do use twice as much in the colder weather. Ace

Now everyone needs to pay attention with what asa just said. I agree 100%.

i know this helps me alot

Lure application is my biggest down fall. What to use? When to use it? Where to put it? Etc, Etc, Etc. If you have a box full of lure what good does it do if it's not used in the right application. I try and not buy alot of loud lure or bait b/c of the strong odor causing rolling. Asa's post just blew my theory, to bits. Maybe less is better?

Good post fellas, I like the direction it is headed. Taking notes on this one

I have found that skunk early in a region with no skunks is not a good thing. There are two exceptions one is for marten and the other for wolverine for whatever reason they love skunk IMO fox on the other hand will need it to air a few days in the early season for me thats Nov. maybe part of DEC. after that all bets are off plenty of smell is required as the colder it gets the less it airs. I firmly believe the reason my catch improves during a warm spell of 0 or above is the lure becomes more easy to smell as the critters still run till around -30 in my neck of the tundra

Otterman: I understand there are no skunks in Alaska, is this true? If so, then skunk odor wouldn't be a natural thing and would fall into the catagory of other curiosity ingredients. Ace

Certain loud lure's actually repel canine's here in our warmer climate. I prefer milder type lure's most of the time. When the temp's dip into the 20's at night though i like a louder lure.

I have noticed more first night catch's at milder smelling set's though than at set's using a louder/call type lure.

Gland type lure's seem to work year round here though and the use of those and/or red fox urine is what i generally lean toward during the heat of summer.

As slim will state though, alot of that has to do with the fact that anything solid such as bait or paste type lure's are devoured in a few hour's by fire ant's, lol. Urine soaks into stuff and isn't toted off by the ants.

I use the skunky lures from the start of season with good results,another good lure I like is just straight mink gland for coyote,early and late.

Asa,

No Skunks in Alaska, but alot of trappers up here use the "Magnum Marten" made by scott phillips. The Marten and Wolverine seem to really like it as Otterman says.

AKtrpr

Paul's k903 is a good early season lure. Not sure what all is in it......Paul????

AKtrpr:
I have been told by some noted AK wolf trappers that they don't want any skunk in a wolf lure.
Ace