Guys, is there any way to keep the louder smelling lures like gusto or (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) fire from loosing the skunk punch?
I had some that lost their potency after storage.
I bought a fresh bottle of gusto this season and I really didn’t use much of it.
Would hate to have it all dissipate if possible.

Add more skunk.


Skunk essence is very volatile and impossible to lock down completely.

Either use it up year to year, or add skunk to it after prolonged periods of storage.

Boone Laine has it right

Agree with Boone.
I get a new bottle of hellfire each season. Same with gusto and a couple other same skunky type call lures.
I haven’t had much luck storing them as is after opening (without adding more skunk) and getting the same zang when you pop the lid again next season as a fresh bottle each season does.
Trapping is my fun time so I just reinvest in those each year. Bait, pee, other lures I can store no problemo but not so much anything with skunk as the kicker.
I will say hellfire does seem to store better than gusto, no clue why. But it’s not same either if I try to keep a partial bottle over to following year.
Jim

Thanks guys

Like stated, skunk essence is extremely volatile by its nature. We have discussed this topic many times in the past. It is a material that is constantly evaporating and fighting to escape from its containment just due to its chemical composition..

That is why most lure bottles of stout odor nature are "taped up" to help to try to hold the escaping essence. With each use of the product and cap removal more odor escapes.

Then some material gets collected on the bottle riflings and the cap closure fit area and it will leak odor even more now.

Just the nature of the beast.

What's the appropriate amount of your skunk essence to add to an older 1oz bottle of lure to restore the skunkiness?

I don't "stock up" on any real loud lures. For this reason. I buy them annually as I need them and try to use them up that year.

Once you crack the bottle they all lose the punch by the following year. If I wanted to add skunk to lures, I'd make my own. Like Bob said, just the nature of the beast, it's science.

I have tried saving leftovers from some of the ones that are more than just skunk and mixing them together as a curiosity lure. Called it my Casserole Lure.

I’m kind of with Rusty on this one. I buy gusto in the 4 oz, I usually have a 1/4 bottle or so left but….. I figure the landfill is a better place for that than anywhere remotely close to where my wife might actually go. Not sure about there but the value here of what is tossed out might equal that of a happy meal. I suppose that if I was so desperate to save it, I’d dump it into a little jelly jar with a sealer ring, I just imagine the little metal cap to rust on over the year.

Mix with a new bottle but I don’t think it matters that much it’s still loud for a canine

i turn all my really loud lures into canine lures and and even the loud coyote lures that seem pretty mild work great in the summer

I know I have mentioned it here before.
Best I have found for short or long period storage of stinky stuff. Get the smallest paint can you item will fit in. Warm the can up to a temperature warmer that where it will be stored. Put your stinky item in and seal the can. If your like me and have a freezer for stinky stuff. Put it in freezer or refrigerator, being aware you can break bottles in freezer. Most time I just set cans on shelf in garage.
With the cheap little vacuum sealer that are available now. Person could probably use a mason jar put a vacuum on it do same thing.
I have not tried that yet but should work same in principle. You aren't going to save all the kick in something like Gusto. But in long run you be better off. You wife won't complain the garage stinks.
JMTCW

Mac

There is a way to fix skunk essence that will greatly extend its life(like 3 to 4 times longer) in a formulation. Ive never heard it mentioned elsewhere and I cant share the information.
Best way I've found for keeping the odor in for shipping is vacuum sealer.

Could you dip the top of the jar in wax?