I was just reading through the archives and believe that I read all that I could. I also have Wisconsin's Trapper Association's Fur Handling video. Although I haven't watched the video as of yet, perhaps the info that I seek is in the video, I have a question or two.

I know that this subject has probably been beat to death. Right now I have a mink in the freezer and I want to practice skinning, fleshing, boarding, etc... I also want to practice removing the glands. I've seen the location of the glands and understand that you DO NOT want to accidentally cut one.

I also understand that you can freeze them, etc...

No onto my question(s). It's only one mink so it's not some huge amount of glands. When I cut them out I was thinking about making some sort of gland lure for next season. What do I do with them, do I crush them up in a bottle, add sodium benzoate, and some glycerine? Do I add glycol too? What should I do with them? I figure that it'd just be easier to do it now instead of freezing and doing at a later time.

Chad

This is the first thing you have to determine. What do you want them for...

I thought that I’d use them for the next mink season.

elaborate more for mink or predator attractant? sorry but that's a pretty vague question. I just freeze all mine fresh until I get enough to grind. But try to get all the air out of your bags so they don't freezer burn as quick

I found a roadkilled mink that's in absolutely perfect condition. Since I'm as good at trapping as I am at running marathons, I collected it to practice skinning, fleshing, etc... While I'm at it I figured that I'd also practice the art of gland removal. In reading the archival posts on the subject of mink glands, I read that people do what you do, but then someone else said about just using the one that they got for a mind gland lure. I only have one, I don't expect to get anymore, so I figured that I'd just look into using the one that I have for some fun. I read that someone said that they just take the one, crush it with a dowel or something, add some glycerine and/or glycol and they have an actual mink gland type of lure.

Seeing as how the mink that I found was about 100 miles away from where I'll be trapping, I'm hoping that the smell of a different mink will invoke some type of positive response resulting in me being able to catch something other than a cold.

I am no mink trapper and I quit fooling with mink glands. The only thing I can suggest is freeze them like was said and buy Carmens book Musk mystery and misconceptions or Wyshinski's book formulating and compounding animal lures and baits. both have stuff on mink lure and mink glands. worth reading just cause they are interesting

Thanks Danny, I appreciate the information.

Yes I highly recommend any of carmans books! You can always squeeze some of the musk out at a set never know there might be enough to lure several.! Im no mink trapper but I think id much rather use quality crawfish oil or weasel glands over mink. But hey I might be way of course! It should invoke a territorial response if its a big buck but if its a female or young buck it will have the opposite effect.

Thanks Tony, I appreciate the input. Probably just another reason to buy professionally made lure, etc... But I just feel bad about wasting such valuable items. It's only one mink so it's not like it really deserves a spot in my freezer.

Cut the whole back end off...glands and all, and throw it down a hole.

Put a trap in front.

Catch a fox or coyote.

Yep there are some outstanding lures for sale. Its not something you should be afraid of doing though. Its interesting and when you get something put together that works good, you don't need to worry that the lure you are so dependent on will likely one day no longer be available.

Thanks for the idea Yukon.

Danny, I like your advice also. Like I said, it's only one set of glands. I figured that I'd just try to make a little paste or something to smear on a box or limb.

I would skin the mink, gut the carcass, remove the head and grind the whole thing for bait. Add some sodium benzoate or freeze until ready to use. I know that's not a lure recipe, but the meat and gland combination would be very attractive to all predators.

Hmm, that also sounds like a good idea. Thank you Worm.