Grind it all, to get all mouse smells, would be my guess.T.20

If you are planning on using the mice as a "bait" attractant for fox/coyote at dirthole sets, or possibly in a pocket set for mink, I would encourage you to use them individually, whole, and fresh frozen at these types of sets to start out with - especially if you are a beginner or inexperienced trapper. I have used whole, fresh frozen mice at dirthole sets effectively for red fox over a span of 55 years.

There are a few options to utilize your mouse stocks as a base that involves a little more advanced effort in preparing them for more formal bait making. For these preparations, you could use them whole, cut up in small 1"chunks, or grind them whole. You do not have to skin them for any of these.

If you decide to make bait from them, other than using them whole and fresh frozen, you will want to slightly taint whatever form you choose: whole, chunked, or ground. Once tainted, the best way to finish the preparation is to cover them with a commercial "bait solution" from a reputable maker/supplier. These solutions are professionally formulated with balanced ingredients of sodium benzoate (preservative,) propylene glycol (antifreeze,)a diluent and additional ingredients to enhance the odor and overall attractiveness of the bait. The use of bait solutions is used in combination with a variety of tainted animal meats for the base stock, including chunks of fish, minnows, crayfish, frogs, clams, etc.

This is a brief introduction to the prospects and options of utilizing your mice for trapping bait.Keep these in mind, and do not overlook the fact that, if you do not want to fuss or take the trial and error time right now to formulate and make your own baits, buy some prepared bait from a professional, reputable maker.

Regards,

Jonathan

Mice make a great base for a prepared bait or they could be used alone. I prefer to grind them and add a blend of this and that. I only let them achieve a light to medum taint before stopping them and adding my other ingredients. From my experiences I find mice taint quickly so they need to be watched and let your nose detect your prefered level of ripeness.

Good info as usual Jonathan.

Myself, bieng a bear of very little brain, I was wondering if you could confirm or deny the claim that mice taint very fast, conciderably faster than other types of meat typically used as meat bases for baits.

I've only ever used them whole fresh frozen myself as I've had enough of them at one time to make a batch of bait of any size.

~ADC~

Hey possum you answered my question before I could ask it. ESP?

I grind them whole, and freeze until needed. Usually, they are tainted enough during the grinding process and after a cup of coffee. I thaw them before needed and add some salt to keep from refreezing while on the line. Works for coyote, bobcat,skunk,and those are my target species. Oh, also caught a red fox. Tom

I like to put a couple of mice in my bait 'solution' and let it sit for about a week then I mix it or grind it up in a CHEAP blender!!! Make sure you put glycerine or your bait will seperate (very frustrating)!

i rotted a bunch down to liguid one time as per wyshinkis book, he warned that the rankness of odor would be extreme, after a year in rain water they were hairy liguid, and the rankness of odor as old nick described was unreal, i never got a chance to use it before the old basement fell in on it.

ADC, I agree with Skinner on the fact that while tainting mice they "need to be watched" closely. While I have never done any extensive, measurable research on the rates of decomposition (taint)with mice, their rate is significantly more rapid than any other chunk meat source that I am aware of - even if done under somewhat controlled temperature conditions for some reason. The only other "meat" source that I vaguely recall that may come close, would be that noticed when I made up a batch of freshwater clams about 30 years ago.

Maybe some enterprising, entrepreneur should invent an olfactory sensitive taintonometer to precisely measure the degree of "taint" most appealing to any given target species. Could be used to set an industry standard, and revolutionize bait making as we know it. Individual trapper's noses 'taint got the same ability to tell when their bait is ready to be put up.

Jonathan

SMT, What kind of traps are you using to harvest that many mice? The standard Victor wooden ones, or one of those multiple-catch tin ones? Do you live in a rural area, or on a farm?

Jonathan

i dont waste the time to grind the mouse, i use the whole mouse for each bait hole. that and a long distance call lure is all i need to catch any fox or yote.

a lot of people on hear go through too much trouble to catch an animal

possum skinner, it may be wise to add a couple swivels to that trap chain!

victortrapper - I suppose you just eat steak all the time cause grinding is just too much hassle and afterall it's just the same thing ... ???

a lot of people go through too much for a good hamburger huh? lol

grinding mice for bait and/or use as a base is about as effortless as sitting and fartin ... in my opinion anyhow

to each his own ... you keep on paddlin upstream and I'll just go with the flow and we'll both end up where we're going ... do what works for you

Excellent possum skinner, I just could not put it into words that would be accepted on here. Tom

Possum, those mice are nice! I have no where near that many in my neighborhood to satisfy my quest. Give me a PM if you have too many. Thank you.

Jonathan

didnt aim to hit a nerve "'"possum skinner"'" ...

hey vic - no nerve hit no harm intended

it would be boring if we all did everything the same ... wouldn't it

The biggest difference between whole and ground would be that a fox might work the set and pull your whole mouse out and then take off with it. If it was ground, he might work it longer. Just my haypenny's worth of knowledge.

bwt - i agree

i also feel it emmits more odors ground


... especially if used as a base & other ingredients are added