Here's a recipe for preparing and presenting bait to coons next year. I'll give it a try and tell you how it works.
1. Go to your nearest feed store and get corn, the kind still on the cob.
2. Either drill or punch holes through the cob at one end. This will be to run wire through. I plan on using 6-8" pieces of wire coat-hanger. It's rigid enough to attach and leave on the cob. It will also help in the preparation.
3. In a 5 gallon bucket, arrange the corn so they are packed in there veritcally with as little space around them as possible. Do as many layers as you can fit.
4. Next, heat to the dollar store and load up on maple syrup and/or molassis. Cover the corn as much as you can. It shouldn't take TOO much syrup because you packed the corn in tight there.
5. Put the lid on the bucket and let sit for as long as you like. I'd say a week should get the sweet smell soaked in.
6. You simply hang the corn from the inside top of the cage with the pre attached wire.
If you can prebait in your state, I'd suggest some cracked corn or cheap dry dog food in syrup too.
Not sure if you're attracting them with the corn or the syrup. I bet the syrup smell travels further. Good luck.
