One of the things I found interesting about Charlie Dobbins, in fact it changed the way I related to, or treated, other trappers was his willingness to share information. It didn’t matter what the subject was, as long you didn’t try to BS him he was straight up with you.

The only thing I never heard him tell was his lure formulas but he would discuss different ingredients and several times ingredients worked [their] way into conversations regarding other matters. Much to my regret in these later years I didn’t go there, back then I just wasn’t interested in ‘that’.

The willingness to share information on a forum hosted by his son is one of the best tributes that we can give a man that supported and promoted trapping in so many ways.

Ace Lenon has shown he shares Charlie’s philosophy with his many posts no few of which concerned different ingredients and their attractiveness to different animals.

Scott Huber used to do the same, one of which comes to mind was minty smells for babcat.

I have seen Mr. Pedersen comment with regard to different ingredients and preparation methods.

Way back in the beginning of the forum, before his free time was vacuumed up, Paul Dobbins commented on different ingredients and posted some formulas.

These gentlemen did not allude to some ingredients that were superior, or inferior, they named them.

If one wants to make a point regarding the efficacy of certain ingredients they should have the confidence to name them and let the legions of trappers that read those boards put them to the test.

If you’re gonna talk the talk walk the walk.

For example, as simple as it may seem, beaver castor is deadly on raccoons (and bobcats).

Beaver castor beaver castor beaver castor beaver castor

Fish. Oily Fish. Use a big chunk, gob or smear, the size of your fist. I learned this from Bud Hall – a big bait makes a big smell. You are wasting gas if you are putting a little bit of plain fish down.

Fish with beaver castor mixed such that one time you smell it - you smell the fish kinda sweet, the next time you smell it - you smell the castor kinda fishy.

Peru Balsam is a good fixative and cranks a raccoons tail.

I got some stuff in Chem lab, benzaldahyde, that seemed to really pull them in but the scent didn’t last.

Muskrat glands – really what needs to be said? At $8 coons too expensive, at $40 coons ???
Muskrat glands or castor I have found to be a year round attractant to raccoons though there are a couple others I think are more effective during breeding season.

Mike Marsyada’s coyote gland lure is death on raccoons during breeding season.

Jim Helfrich had a bobcat gland lure that a raccoon would work to get at during breeding season.

Nick Wyshinski had this urine/gland mixture that was very effective during breeding season.

Shellfish oil. I found that shellfish oil that was diluted was extremely effective. But again back in the beginning of time the smell of uncut shellfish didn’t last that long if it was stored in a plastic bottle.

Carboxlic Acid – the stuff bee keepers used to use, after I was told about this I got some from a beekeeper that wasn’t keeping anymore.

Phenylacetic Acid I believe it is ‘related’ to Cabroxlic Acid.

Civet – this stuff is death on coons and canines.

Valerian Oil - all yeah baby, this is good stuff

I mentioned the above lure makers only because those are the ones with which I had experience and it is not meant to be a reflection of any sort on those not mentioned.