? on sheeps wool as lure holder

[trapn1]

Last year at one of the conventions someone gave me a bag of wool to try as a lure holder in dirtholes. I used it last season and was pleased with it. The wool seemed clean and not much odor to it. Today at a fleamarket I bought 10lbs of sheeps wool for $5.00, enough to last me for quite awhile, anyway the wool is dirty and smells like a barnyard. Will it still work or is the odor going to overpower the lure I use? Is there a way to clean it or did I just waste my money and I should toss it? Any comments or info. appreciated. Thanks, Wake

[Snareman]

I suggest going out, dig a dirt hole set without the trap, put lure and a good gob of the wool plugging the hole inside, then sift dirt all over the pattern.

That way you can see the reaction by paw prints. Make sure you fan it a little more than usual in case some stand back and don't approach the set too good so you can see that as well.

I don't know the characterics of the raw wool like you have, but I don't see a problem with trying to rinse it in something like lake water. I would also take it out of the bag and air it out to let the barnyard odor disperse. As for fox and bobcat, I really doubt it will be a problem at all. In fact, I wouldn't worry trapping them, but coyotes may have a problem with it and the dirt pattern will tell you the situation.

Snareman

[MChewk]

Have used sheeps wool ...both kinds the cleaner and the regular stinkier stuff both work. The stinkier stuff can be a bit of a problem IF you don't use gloves ..continamition. Treat it like lure as the lanolin in the wool holds odors well.

[45/70]

What sheeps' wool I have used was raw, but the trash, dried excrement, etc. had been brushed out.
I have seen some just gobs of wool. I think that the brushed, and there is no reason you couldn't do this yourself would be easier to seperate and work with on the line. I did ok with the
sheeps' wool, but I wouldn't want to use it exclusively. We do not have many sheep in my
area (but I do expect that sheep might be a natural prey where ever), and the predators
don't get a chance at them often. I think that MChewk's advice on using gloves when handling the raw is excellent.

We do have numbers goats, and the 'cats can really work them over. One of my all time favorite lure holders, and I have taught this to students for 20
years or more, is wasp nests. A lot of animals including skunks, coons, and bears will go nuts
digging yellow jacket nests up and eating the larvae. Well, wasp nests are easier to come by.
I have several abandoned buildings on a "route". I go out about this time of year with a pole,
and knock the nests down. Week or so later, I'll go around again and collect them. I usually
put them in gallon zip locs, but sometimes will use # 10 cans w/lids. The larger nests I will
divide, the smaller nests I will use whole. Give the nest a good "shot" of a liquid style lure, and put it own your hole. It works best if a little of the nest is showing. I do not always do this, but sometimes I try to make my hole look dug out, raided as it were. These nests have several
things going for them: 1- they are a natural attractor. 2- being "paper" they absorb lure
readily. 3- the open larvae cells somewhat encapsulate the lure, and really hold it well through
rains and bad weather. 4- the nests have an insulator effect on the lure, and helps (I believe) with keeping the lure working in semi-severe cold. If you make a catch, the nest will
get eaten. If I have a set where I use a nest that is not worked, I'll pull the nest and put it
into a container I reserve for, what else, "used wasps nests". Yes, the lure odors, if you use
different ones will mix and mingle, but when I re-lure them the next season it does not seem
to have a negative effect. I noted using the nests in a hole. I have also used them in a baited flat set. One example would be to imatate a dug out yellow jacket nest. Dig out a hole
slanting back underneath a stout pole or small log, and scatter the dirt all around. Scatter a
few pieces of unlured nest about the mouth of the hole, and have another piece still visable
in the hole, In this case, use your lure on the backing, right above the hole. Adios, 45/70, RKBA !!!