FIELD TRIALS OF SLOW-RELEASE SYNTHETIC LURES FOR STOATS (MUSTELA-ERMINEA) AND FERRETS (M-FURO)

Experimental field trials were used to compare the attractiveness to s toats (Mustela erminea) and ferrets (M. furo) of traps set with either a synthetic scent lure or with fresh food bait. One lure, containing 2-n-propylthietane, effectively attracted as many ferrets as did rabbi t meat bait. Fewer stoats were caught with this lure than with egg bai t. Made up in a slow-release formulation in ''plastic rope'', the lure remained attractive to ferrets for at least 2 weeks under sunny field conditions. Traps containing a second lure, 3-n-propyl-1,2-dithiolane , were less successful at catching both mustelid species than those co ntaining fresh food baits. The scent lures were not attractive to non- target species, but neither did they deter some species.