just out of curiosity (if it's not confidential information) how much essence will you use in a year?

Hey Mark do you prefer plastic lids or metal?

Thanks Mark

Have seen essence eat through a plastic bottle it looks like a hot weld hit it over time I have bottled gallons of the stuff just hate to a new guy think plastic goes together with plastic. Short term maybe but any extended time it will eat through. Just a heads up but do what your guys ask for not much you can do if that's what they want.

Yes sir,
I only have skunk essence in one lure I make, Windwalker, and I use quite a bit of essence each year since Windwalker is my #2 seller. Don't want to talk specifics from there.
I prefer glass bottles with high density plastic like poly-caps or "hard" black screw caps. Low density plastic won't do well.

Thanks for the info Mark. The reason I asked is it seems the stuff goes a long ways and in my little mind it seems like 30 or 40 ozs would infect a stock tank size batch of lure. Lol

Good to know, Paul. Thanks.

While skunk essence does go a long way in formulation Yes sir, there have been years I've gone through more than a gallon and my lure isn't near as punchy as bossman makes or Caven's Gusto for example. I suspect that Paul and Tim and probably John Chagnon who now makes Lenon's Lures, use quite a bit also.

There is a market and it's useful to have reputable trappers that I can deal with when it comes to quill and I appreciate these trappers!

I saved a couple ozs to play a round with and my shed if over loaded with the smell. I've taken my skunks to a neighbor of mine and I think some of them have made it into your lure Mark.

Where do you recommend getting glass bottles with high density plastic like poly-caps or "hard" black screw caps? All I ever find is bottles with metal lids.

We have been buying essence for 12-15 dollars an oz.. It seems like fewer trappers every year save or collect essence. This is why the demand and price is always increasing. We go through a good amount of essence each year. Adam

I find mine on Amazon. Just search Boston round with poly cap lots to choose from.

Thanks, I guess I didn’t think to look there.

Another stupid question. Does everyone use 1oz or 4oz bottles and ship those, or fill larger bottles at the end of the season and ship that way?

Or is it whatever size and method the buyer prefers?

I go with the 4oz size bottles 4oz of essence loose in a building would be bad enough but a pint would close a place down, you also need to consider that stuff may end up on a plane and stepping outside is not a option.

Pack and pad it well with absorbent materials and seal it like your life depends on it getting there without leaking. It only takes one major issue to get us all spanked.

A buyer sent me bottles and container they preferred. The bottles are 12 or 16 oz. All bottles should be the BOSTON type. The container had packing media,would have to check to see what it is. The container itself is a new never used gallon paint can. Also have the box and it's shipping media. Caps on the bottles are ones like Mark June prefers, high density poly-caps. They did not really like the 4 oz. bottles with metal lids I used earlier.

Ted

Skunk essence in metal caps in today's world is just a bad idea. In yesteryear, the postal service would deliver an elephant to your door and ring the doorbell. Now, packages are routinely screened for hazardous and illegal materials and skunk essence sets off the cannibus sensors, so that a postal inspector gives you a nice phone call. If found to be too smelly (metal caps do not keep skunk in a bottle well enough), they just pitch the package in the dumpster and write it up as "hazardous". I've had trappers send me unsolicited quill and call me to find if I got it and I have no idea what to tell them. I didn't say ship it, and when I ask, "Poly or metal caps" and they say "metal"... I say... dumpster. Trapper says they wrapped it really good and I say.... dumpster.

If you are giving a package personally to a buyer someday, uses whatever cap you want. Metal caps are pennies. Poly caps are dimes. If you plan on shipping it to someone someday, spend the dimes.

Been buying quill for 34 years so have had plenty of experience (and stories) along the way.
Hope this helps.
Mark

Any thing Law Dog suggests is what I would follow concerning handling skunk essence. I have bought from him for quite a few years and he always has a top product. I am not a commercial lure maker but do appreciate good products. I use it to make my own LDC. Good stuff and great service. It is very hard to find a LDC that truly lasts for any period of time.

Mac

Thanks Mac they will figure it out over time no biggie for me the best example I can give is hit a plastic cap and a metal cap with a hammer and see what happens!

I will take a new lined metal cap and a 4oz glass bottle any day but life is about choices, a new cap and a twist with a pliers packed well as stated above and it's good to go. Just pack/seal it well if the bottle breaks or the cap leaks be it plastic or metal a lot of bad things can happen.

Good luck it is challenging no matter how you do it, on my way to a skunk call right now.

Thanks for the valuable information Law Dog.