I made a rub lure in 2024 that was very attractive to cats and coyotes. I applied it to a 2x2 post 20 inches off the ground. I have pictures of both rubbing and chewing on the post. One year later I had no reaction at all with this lure. The lure was stored in a glass jar inside a non-working refrigerator. Any thoughts on what went wrong with my lure. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good rub lure.

Yes a lure can go bad in a year but a well formulated one with the right preservatives, fixatives and binders shouldn't if stored properly. In your case it sounds like you stored it correctly. My first question would be is what's your idea of very attractive is. Are we talking a handful of responses or 50 responses. Very good responses is very subjective from my experience dependant on one's personal experience and standards. Some ingredients dont play well over time or with other ingredients over time. Can you smell a difference in it? To tough of question to guess at with such little information. If I was you id make a new batch and test it against the old stuff then you will know if it changed.

A lure can loose some of its initial odor quality in some cases depending upon how it was built. Proportions and quality of each ingredient, etc..

As stated previously, if adequate preservation and other components were not utilized, your formula can not be expected to hold fast and not change over time.

However, that being said, many formulas will change from that initial blending odor and become more homogenized over time.

A well built lure should improve with age as they are intended. Or it will only be as good as your ingredients that were blended.

I wouldn't be too harsh on your evaluation at this early stage. Good results can only be measured over time, give it some time, see how things work out in the next few seasons.

There may be some variables occurring that you are not factoring into your current evaluation.