In an attempt to determine a more effective means of utilizing scent station data to evaluate furbearer population trends, 3 scent types, 2 tracking surfaces and 3 habitat types were analyzed in northcentral Louisiana. Observations at 775 stations on 2 successive days during the fall of 1979, summer of 1980 and fall of 1980, resulted in 574 visits by 13 different groups of mammals. Bobcat (Felis rufus) urine produced the highest visitation rates for coyotes (Canis latrans) when compared to fatty acid scent and rhodium (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in bobcat visits when the 3 scent types were compared. The use of agricultural lime, when compared to natural soil, as a tracking surface increased bobcat visits significantly (P < 0.001). Visitations by other mammals were not adversely affected by the use of lime.
