Just trying to get some feedback on if trappers feel one has the power to over rule the other. Meaning: If you are on location, will a mediocre lure still perform as good as a great one? Or will the best of lures really draw animals from a great distance like lure makers claim they will? What are your thoughts?

Location Location Location, without a doubt.

L-O-C-A-T-I-O-N

i say location but know some dang fine trappers that would disagree

Location is most important IMO, but you need some good lure to make them work your set.

No need to choose one over the other. Cover them both and you'll be better off.

location is the main thing to me.

a good location w/ a mediocre bait/lure, will produce mediocre catches.

a good location w/ a really good bait/lure, will burn em up!

If I was a lure maker, I would say lure. If I wrote trapping articles, I would say location.

Have you ever been in politics? lol

ricky cox took the words right out of my mouth.

My experience strongly suggests that "location" is the key operative, with stand alone identity, independent of lure quality (mediocre, or a great one - however that gradient is measured?) The greatest distance any given lure can be operative and effective is if a given animal's olfactory senses are within the boundary of detection, as the the intensity of the wind may influence its compass. Any sniffing organ has limits.

The "lure" component integrated into a set, no matter the status of its acclaimed virtues, is an aloof concept, and will live on in myth in the hearts and minds of many who put it on the pedestal reserved for magic - an illusion.

Any lure, bait or stinkum carefully applied at a set has merit. That is a given. However, think about this in terms of the set-lure/location quotient that may help to analyze an answer to your question. For example: A well made dirt hole for a canine of choice, will and can, function and produce without a speck of lure or bait when located within the perimeter of "location." That is a given, too.

So, with that said, your way of thinking may have just been stimulated. Others will provide different interpretations contrary to mine, but you will ultimately have to answer the question for yourself.

Jonathan

Ricky Cox wrote...Location is most important IMO, but you need some good lure to make them work your set.

Well said Ricky! Ace

LOCATION I very seldom even use lures just blind sets

Well it is definetly location with a "blind set" man!

90% Location
10% Lure

Blind sets alone miss ALOT of animals! One needs to take advantage of ALL the tools in the box!
Troy

Troy, That comment is right on location for the discriminating, experienced and flexible trapper. Man cannot live on blind sets alone, he needs lured sets to compliment the spreads between the slices of effort in order for a complete trapper's sandwich to taste the best it possibly can.

Jonathan

Good lure is not a major expense. Location can be learned with experience and even spead up with the proper mentor.

Why not use the best of both!

If the critter isn't where the set is or can't smell the odors of the set, it doesn't matter what the lure is, it ain't gonna work.

If the set is where the critter is and it's not interested in the lure you presented, then the lure does matter.

Gotta have the set in the right place, then you have to have a lure that will make it work the set.

If a given location isnt quite what you want for a certain set up. You can move away from said areas and bait and thus the name lure the animal in a area better set up for what you are after. Like location being in a black berry brambles and you want them just about 10 to 20 ft out of brambles. Thus lure and bait. Location being the number 1 criteria 2nd lure and bait to put them where it best suits you.