What is the advantage of using a commercial bait over using a mouse, fresh beaver meat etc?

Commercial baits usually have a few additives.

In my area ,if set on sign, fresh to slightly tainted chunks of beaver, muskrat and deer out produce comm. bait until the temps stay consistently below 25* F . Just my experience.

I just caught 2 foxes using some almost expired chicken from the grocery store-you can get a pack of chicken for $1-$3. I didn't think It would work but I put a trail camera on them and they went nuts over it. and as mentioned above a couple deer carcasses after deer season are like gold to me-I have also had some luck with coon carcasses after I skin them too. these are things that I have picked up on in the last 2 seasons (of my 3 total seasons trapping).I think im going to try and use up most of my commercial baits this year and try not to use any commercial baits next year-or use them sparingly.

Just run with the coon carcass thing next year and then report back to us.

'Coons are the last thing eaten from a carass pile in my experience.

You should use both in the hole