I have using deer lures since I have been hunting. Some with great success and others not so much. My go to scent starting the third week of October is James Valley, Wall Hanger and Lethal Weapon but this year I am venturing out on my own and making my own homemade deer lure. I was raised up trapping muskrats and raccoons as a kid and made all my own raccoon bait but there is a huge difference from luring raccoons and luring deer but I am willing to give it a try. I have been toying with this idea since I went completely traditional several years ago. I already make my own cover scent with great success so why not give making my own deer lure? My father, as long as I can remember has used vanilla extract with a few drops of tonquin musk in early season with better then average success. But come third week of October he switches to James Valley. But my new home-bru is going to be a little bit more detailed then my fathers vanilla extract and few drops of tonquin musk. I am starting with deer glands, tarsals, metatarsals, interdigital glands soaking in 80 proof vodka for 2 months, then adding glycerine oil and letting soak for 2 more months, then add the just right amount of tonquin musk, (Siberian), and let soak until ready to use. I received the recipe and its proper portions from things that I researched on the internet as well as a old family friend. I am going to start using my home-bru in front of some my trail cameras in mid September to see what kind of response I get, if any before using it in a hunting situation. For me, it would give me great satisfaction in knowing I made my own deer lure with good success.
I would like to know what you guys use, if anything, or if you have any input for me in regards to my attempt to making a deer lure. Any of your input or suggestion will be most welcomed.
Thanks, JMG