Canines and Human Scen.......Updated
#1395769
06/27/09 09:31 AM
06/27/09 09:31 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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As some of you may know from a previous post I have a group of fox living close by so I have decided to take advantage of the situation and "do some testing" and share the results.
What would you like to see tested?
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/30/09 09:23 AM.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1395775
06/27/09 09:36 AM
06/27/09 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,947 Central Pa. 62
bic
"Mr. Sensitivity"
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"Mr. Sensitivity"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,947
Central Pa. 62
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How they react to a scent posts using different urine. 1) Coyote Urine 2) Grey fox urine 3) Bobcat urine
Life always offers a second chance. It's called Tomorrow
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1396153
06/27/09 03:34 PM
06/27/09 03:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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50yds. From here........ High traffic......... A hand made hole baited with a peeler (lower center)..... Hand sifted sand and a generous amount of human urine........ The time was 15:14...........Check back tomorrow for an update.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1396183
06/27/09 04:11 PM
06/27/09 04:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,487 Eastern Shore of Maryland
bad karma
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,487
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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you will have to tell em what a peeler is and we both know that peeler will be so rotten by tomorrow morning it will make your eyes water...
Last edited by bad karma; 06/27/09 04:14 PM.
Never argue with a fool - they will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: bad karma]
#1396191
06/27/09 04:19 PM
06/27/09 04:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,947 Central Pa. 62
bic
"Mr. Sensitivity"
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"Mr. Sensitivity"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,947
Central Pa. 62
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Peeler...Isn't that a blue crab that is loosing his shell (not quite a soft shell yet)?
Life always offers a second chance. It's called Tomorrow
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: mixed bag]
#1396274
06/27/09 05:48 PM
06/27/09 05:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163 Gulliver, Michigan
Asa Lenon
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163
Gulliver, Michigan
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Every canine's reaction to humans and/or human scent will vary from animal to animal and region to region depending upon each individual animal's conditioning. I won't be impressed by the experiment regardless of which way the results show, positive or negative or somewhere in between. However, in the long run a "cleaner trapper is a more productive trapper". I have personally performed many such testings over the years, watching animals from blinds for my wife's wildlife photography and from watching mock sets from my deer blind each deer season. In my wilderness type area at least, when a set is made using reasonable scent control the animals genmerally aproach, stop look around a moment and right straight on in. When I deliberately contaminated the area with sweat, urine, etc fox and coyote both would appear to get all nervous about the set, some would just plain leave, others would fidget areound, circle the set, go to higher ground to look around sometimes leaving after a considerable evaluation from a distance or many times aproaching the set in some haphazard way by crawling on thier stomach, trying to examine it from the rear or side and always looking fearful of lowering thier heads to do a thorough close up examination. My results of the exeriments taught me that if one want straight forward set approachs and a higher percentage of set acceptance they will use reasonable precautions. By reasonable precautions I mean no spitting, urinating, spending excessive time in the set area tracking around, wear reasonably clean clothing, gloves, footwear and if they kneel at a set use a cloth or pad to prevent making an intense human and foreign scent spot directly in front of a set. That is my opinion. Asa
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Asa Lenon]
#1396483
06/27/09 09:18 PM
06/27/09 09:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,329 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,329
NWWA/AZ
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in the long run a "cleaner trapper is a more productive trapper" Hope ya don't mind Asa....I put it in my signature...... Clean means organized as well....Looking from a distance and bringing all that you need to the set....Organized.... so you can get in and out...... I am a "squatter"......and i think asa is right on on the "intense human roadblock that can accrue....especially on a werry or pressured animal..
Last edited by Vinke; 06/27/09 09:22 PM.
Slightly used Shoes 4 sale
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Asa Lenon]
#1396510
06/27/09 09:44 PM
06/27/09 09:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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Every canine's reaction to humans and/or human scent will vary from animal to animal and region to region depending upon each individual animal's conditioning. I won't be impressed by the experiment regardless of which way the results show, positive or negative or somewhere in between. However, in the long run a "cleaner trapper is a more productive trapper". I have personally performed many such testings over the years, watching animals from blinds for my wife's wildlife photography and from watching mock sets from my deer blind each deer season. In my wilderness type area at least, when a set is made using reasonable scent control the animals genmerally aproach, stop look around a moment and right straight on in. When I deliberately contaminated the area with sweat, urine, etc fox and coyote both would appear to get all nervous about the set, some would just plain leave, others would fidget areound, circle the set, go to higher ground to look around sometimes leaving after a considerable evaluation from a distance or many times aproaching the set in some haphazard way by crawling on thier stomach, trying to examine it from the rear or side and always looking fearful of lowering thier heads to do a thorough close up examination. My results of the exeriments taught me that if one want straight forward set approachs and a higher percentage of set acceptance they will use reasonable precautions. By reasonable precautions I mean no spitting, urinating, spending excessive time in the set area tracking around, wear reasonably clean clothing, gloves, footwear and if they kneel at a set use a cloth or pad to prevent making an intense human and foreign scent spot directly in front of a set. That is my opinion. Asa Ok, the heck with it.........
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/27/09 09:45 PM.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: CLT]
#1397478
06/28/09 05:50 PM
06/28/09 05:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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Sorry folks I had a fishing trip planned this morning and just got home. I checked the "set" about 05:50 and they walked all over the area like they owned it. "Peeler" was gone and it appears the urine didn't even phase them. I did have a trail cam out and I have 7-5min clips. As soon as I figure out how to get them from the chip to my computer I will have a more in-depth analysis.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: ]
#1397484
06/28/09 05:56 PM
06/28/09 05:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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I thought I could get by bare handed, but I figured urinating on the set would have scared them off for sure.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: ]
#1397494
06/28/09 06:08 PM
06/28/09 06:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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I just figured if "skin cells" will cause them to pause..........urine would have a more dramatic effect on them.
I'm learning too much, I'd hate to lose my "hobbie" status. LOL!
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: ]
#1397500
06/28/09 06:10 PM
06/28/09 06:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 104 Chester County, PA
Maine man
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 104
Chester County, PA
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Why would your urine scare them?
Its not like a fox has the mental capacity to understand whatever peed right there has a plot to trap my foot in a few months, and kill me and skin me. lol Nick...Shush...Fox are very smart animals... They just have a soft spot for Phil...
Proud life time member #424 PA Trappers Association. Instagram: zieglers_tips__demos
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: ]
#1397589
06/28/09 07:39 PM
06/28/09 07:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163 Gulliver, Michigan
Asa Lenon
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163
Gulliver, Michigan
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Why would your urine scare them?
Its not like a fox has the mental capacity to understand whatever peed right there has a plot to trap my foot in a few months, and kill me and skin me. lol To answer a question with a question Nick, why does just about every animal species run like H when they get a whiff or sight of a human??? For example, last Winter I saw sitting all together by a hole in the ice an otter, trumpeter swan and a Canadian goose. One would think the fowl would be fearful of that otter but the only thing they were concerned about was my wife pointing her camera at them, the otter ducked in the hole and the goose and swan flew as fast as they could to get out of there. Asa
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Asa Lenon]
#1397611
06/28/09 07:58 PM
06/28/09 07:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,661 south of little rock, ar
Haus
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,661
south of little rock, ar
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My wife has that affect on me. If I get a head start I can usually outrun her, but sometimes she catches me, lol.
A bobcat in your trap at 5:00am is better than a stout cup of coffee anyday.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: superfatcat]
#1397914
06/29/09 01:01 AM
06/29/09 01:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,077 kansas
possum5676
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,077
kansas
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whatever them peelers are i want a quart made into lure at the very same taint as the fox encountered well boosted with the usual musks and glands and well freeze proofed by christmass please, you can keep the urine though. Just kidding, good experiment.
none
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: possum5676]
#1397942
06/29/09 05:42 AM
06/29/09 05:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,487 Eastern Shore of Maryland
bad karma
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,487
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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whatever them peelers are i want a quart made into lure at the very same taint as the fox encountered well boosted with the usual musks and glands and well freeze proofed by christmass please, you can keep the urine though. Just kidding, good experiment. Been there and done that lure years ago. The skunk and possum catch will amaze you. The other animal catch leaves a lot to be desired. Female crabs use a pheromone to attract the males when they are about to shed and be available to mate. I thought they might be useful as a lure ingredient but boy was I wrong.
Never argue with a fool - they will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: bad karma]
#1397956
06/29/09 06:30 AM
06/29/09 06:30 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460 havelock, NC
Rye
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460
havelock, NC
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I think it was a good test of critter tolerance vs. desire for the food. thanks for putting it up Hobbie.
I'm by no means the "Cleanest" of trappers. However, I'm doing decent for the small line I run. Most of my misses or unworked sets are due to my own mistakes in location or position.
Keep the tests rolling Hobbie. We all stand to learn something.
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first. " --Mark Twain.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Northwind]
#1398054
06/29/09 09:39 AM
06/29/09 09:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163 Gulliver, Michigan
Asa Lenon
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163
Gulliver, Michigan
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I think allot of it is area dependent and population density is a big factor. I have a trail behind the house that leads to the snowmobile trail. There are always a few coyotes that pass through every few weeks all year long. I had some weasel boxes back there last winter that I would check daily. I would check them before noon everyday. One day I noticed coyote tracks coming from the west side of the trail. It was at a walk until it hit my snowshoe trail (I back tracked it before it hit my trail and it was just walking through the hardwoods) and you could clearly see the front feet sprawled out in my snowshoe tracks and it turned and ran for a good 75 yards before slowing to a trot. This isnt the first time Ive seen this behavior up here. Even though Im new to trapping, Im not new to animal behavior and I have hunted coyotes and fox out west and out east. So my .02 is to do what works for you in your area but keep and open mind to it.
My .02 Well said Northwind! For being relatively new to trapping you have done real well with canines because you are a thorough guy who pays attention to details and pay attention what the animals are telling you. That particular coyote told you he is not fond of human presence! Some say a coyote knows when you are there and when you are not so human scent makes no difference! In your experience you were not there but he wasn't sure so he run for 75 yards! I have seen this same thing more times than I can recall. Thanks for your input Northwind! Asa PS- Coyotes in my country are 10 times more likely to run from human tracks and odors than fox.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Asa Lenon]
#1398066
06/29/09 09:53 AM
06/29/09 09:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052 Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
k. miller
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052
Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
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you guys are getting into a fight or flight discussion now.
when a critter is working your set it isn't in either of those modes....
the reason animals run from you is mainly because they haven't fully identified you.... all critters have a bubble of safety
take me to where the blacktop ends.. then go further with me
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: white17]
#1398093
06/29/09 10:24 AM
06/29/09 10:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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IMO This little experiment holds no weight. It should by no strech of the imagination be held as have having a single drop credibility.
Just ask your mommy...
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: white17]
#1398181
06/29/09 11:56 AM
06/29/09 11:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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Well I hope nobody comes away from this thinking "just set steel in the ground anyway you feel".
I can't ID which foxes in the video are which, so I'm guessing these guys are young and dumb. Mom may have been out on a "real hunt" and these guys were just bored and happened upon a meal without knowledge of what could have happened to them.
..........but it was fun!
I will try a few other things and post the results. No need to argue or debate just some things to think about.
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/29/09 11:57 AM.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1398200
06/29/09 12:26 PM
06/29/09 12:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163 Gulliver, Michigan
Asa Lenon
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163
Gulliver, Michigan
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Hobbie Trapper wrote...Well I hope nobody comes away from this thinking "just set steel in the ground anyway you feel".
I'm glad you added that Hobbie, well said, thanks!
To use JFK's statement as an analogy "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" I have always said to my past students "ask not what you can eliminate and get away with and still catch some animals but ask one's self what I can add to my procedure to be a more proficient and efficient trapper". The thing that separates the wide descrepancy in total harvest of trappers in the same area from zero harvest to being a legend in one's area is all in paying attention to all details both large and small. There is no big well kept secret of the pros to speak of, besides proper location its almost all in many small details adding up a maximum harvest one by one by one. Asa
Last edited by Asa Lenon; 06/29/09 12:26 PM.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: Asa Lenon]
#1398256
06/29/09 01:30 PM
06/29/09 01:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
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OP
"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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Next experiment is.............
to see if they have associated my urine with a possible meal.
I will be spreading human urine in a "clean" place and video to capture their reaction.
FYI..........I will be conducting experiment #1 again but on a piece of land that has very little human traffic (during rifle deer season only).
Stay tuned for those results as well.
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/29/09 01:31 PM.
-Goofy-
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1399212
06/30/09 09:43 AM
06/30/09 09:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,255 backwoods N. Wi.
Fox Claw
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,255
backwoods N. Wi.
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Results of "just urine" are as follows...........
Circled 10yds but came no closer........... Maybe try eating some of them peelers? That might up the human urine attraction.
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Re: Canies and Human Scent Experiment
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#1399582
06/30/09 05:24 PM
06/30/09 05:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163 Gulliver, Michigan
Asa Lenon
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,163
Gulliver, Michigan
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As I pointed out in an earlier post, leaving excessive human scent didn't always cause a set avoidance but it most always made the canine work the set differently. Set circleing was very common, going to higher ground to look around, approaching the set nervously from the backside, digging in from the side, etc. Coyotes were almost always extremely wary but there were some that seemed to pay no attention to the excessive human or foreign scents and wasted no time commitiong to the set and examining the lure. Red fox were way more accepting of the human scents but there were still a considerable number that become extremely nervous and jittery. Fox in my region are more used living in close proximity with humans than coyotes so that may be the reason. Being a lure maker I would like to say that a great lure will overcome suspicion and make a canine risk his hide but that is not the case. I have experimented with about 40 different formulas provided to me by some of America's most proficient trappers and none would entice a too wary canine to commit to the set. Better lures appeared to keep them in the area longer thinking about commiting but eventually the more wary ones would move on without commitment anyway. Again, I'm sure the results of such testing would show a wide variation from region to region. I may be wrong but I have thought about the subject and conversed with trappers who have trapped in a number of regions and I have come to the conclusion that the population of the canine in a given area vs the availability of food supply may be the the factor that causes such variables. Here in upper Michigan the canine numbers are modest and the food supply is unending Summer and Winter so perhaps they can afford to be more disciminating about risking thier hide so to speak. Asa
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