Just got some Digger from them, haven't used it yet. Anyone else use Marsyada's? How have they worked for you?

I have been thinking about writing an article about baits and lures in my column in WCT. Do any of you feel that the confidence in whatever it is you are using, has a direct impact on your success? I'm not swiping the post; answer NFT and then answer me if you would.

I think it does Paul, I think that I subconciously put more effort into sets and that I catch more animals when I have some optimism about the bait or lure I'm using. I make better sets using good canine food lure than I did when I was trying to use some weak bait I bought that hardly had a smell to it. In my opinion its just human nature to work harder when you expect some success.

Tried digger last year and had reasonable success with it. Am using Numchuck now, not sure of results yet. I use mostly positive sets with comstocks when possible so a baited set is usually secondary. I'm just not sure if it's the fruit or the paste that gets them.

Yes I think confidence in the bait or lure plays a huge role in its success. But it is flawed because you use what you have confidence in more than you use the other stuff so your success with that product is rigged.

Perfect example: I absolutely love Coon SB. I use it on just about every raccoon job I do. Sure on occasion I will try something else but it is rare. So if I am catching 30 raccoons a week on Coon SB and only 5 with Coon Candy it is obvious that Coon SB brought in more coon but each product produced 100%.

I have the product that I like for each species and usually only use that product.

Found his book on mink trapping to be the very best book ever writen on mink trapping . Found his ADC bait to not even work on one single animal . That was a few years ago when I tried it been using my own stuff ever sense . If I was to buy other I would go with Bob Jameson's brand I'm 100 % sure Bob would never market anything not good because he's a straight up guy not saying mike isn't just don't like his ADC stuff . Your trapping ground hog why would you even use bait I don't get that part

Ditto on "why would you even use bait." Hoping that someday that bait for chucks is not even a question. Would you put bait on your conibear trigger three feet from the hole or put the conibear in the hole?

I have found digger to be very excellent bait, for 'possums and coons. Bait in a groundhog trap amounts to the lucky sock theory as far as I can tell. Meaning if you use the same bait every time and positive set it on the right hole and wear your lucky socks you will be succesful. I am doing some experimenting using wallmart bags for groundhog bait, thanks to Phil.

I have used bait for ground hogs many times and still do. When i can not set other traps and have to use a cage trap. Do to family pets near by.

NFT, yes i have used it and had no problems, I change up a lot depending on the activity and other trappers in the area.

Now for Paul,

Yes, The confidence in whatever it is you are using DOES have a direct impact on your success. Confidence also has a direct impact on what you are doing and how you do it. It may not be the bate or lure that is 100% responsible,rather how you chose to use it, how much is used, where it is put, and what you add with it. When you are confident you make less mistakes and are more relaxed in what you are doing,and using, and what is around you for the over all success.
Dave

you know some of us, do not rely on only one method. we work off of habits and behaviours. Many of us ole dogs, that do a lot of ground hog work will have many different control jobs, and many different scenario's, Many of these jobs will be in non den, low grass open areas where we do not have a trail or can get to the den. So one method fits all is not in my mindset. Personal I will use a snare over any cage any time, but not every one can, so for me to say you all need to use snares would be a self righteous and a asinine statement. the same is true to say bait is a never needed statement. all methods have their place and time.

NFT Marsyada's has been around for a long time and has good stuff, I have not used his stuff in a very long time, but what I have tried years ago, worked,

Paul had the question and I will answer it also. I absolutely believe that the persons belief and confidence will play a big role in the success of a good lure or bait.

I will give a example. back in the early 90's I sold a lot of my baits in baulk to others that jarred and labled them under their name. one of my well known baits was sold like this a lot. At shows and conventions I would have folks come to my table and tell me, So in So, has a bait that was much like yours, But, that it seemed to work better. LOL that bait was mine and I know the other person would not add anything to it LOL. I would simple say well you better keep getting it from them. oh and if you can figure out what is in it please tell me LOL My point is if it is good, if you want a bait to work it will, if it is Good and the person really could care less, or just trying it then it may or may not work.

Can't always set over a den hole that is true but by using wood chuck urine and or droppings I find it working over apples cabbage or peaches and have much less non target catch