Abstract:
A bait for attracting animals and configured for positioning around a substantially vertical member is provided. The bait includes a body portion having a substantially centrally located substantially vertical opening that extends through the entire body portion, the opening being configured for positioning around the substantially vertical member such that the substantially vertical member extends completely though the opening. The body portion is a food for the animals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments 
         [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate to attracting animals. 
         [0003]    2. Introduction 
         [0004]    Many people attract wild animals for observation, food, sport, or other reasons. As an aid in pursuing these and other interests, baits are sometimes used to attract the animals. Many types of baits are available including liquid scents, salt blocks, pelletized food, and other attractants. These baits have disadvantages that, in most, if not all, cases, include quick dissipation and a lack of ability to stand up to weather. Many baits also have the disadvantage that they can be carried away by the very animals which the bait is designed to attract, or other animals. 
         [0005]    As a result, there is a need for a bait that resists degradation from weather and is not quickly consumed or carried off by animals. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for positioning around a post, tree trunk, or other shaft. The bait includes a hole, for example a vertical hole, through the bait. The bait can be lowered over a post, tree truck, or other shaft such that the post, tree trunk, or shaft extends through the hole. Particular exemplary embodiments provide a substantially cylindrical, doughnut-shaped bait with the hole being centrally located and extending vertically through the entire bait. 
         [0007]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for positioning around a substantially vertical member. The bait includes a body portion having a substantially centrally located substantially vertical opening that extends through the entire body portion, the opening being configured for positioning around the substantially vertical member such that the substantially vertical member extends completely though the opening, wherein the body portion is a food for the animals. 
         [0008]    Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait/container combination, the bait being for attracting animals and configured for positioning around a substantially vertical member, the combination includes a container and a bait. The container has a bucket portion having a substantially flat bottom, a truncated cone shaped side portion, and an opening; and a removable top that seals the opening of the bucket portion. The bait has a body portion having a substantially centrally located substantially vertical body opening that extends through the entire body portion, the body opening being configured for positioning around the substantially vertical member such that the substantially vertical member extends completely though the body opening. The body portion is a food for the animals, and an outside shape of the body portion conforms to the side portion of the bucket portion. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of making a bait for attracting animals, the bait being configured for positioning around a substantially vertical member and having a body portion having a substantially centrally mounted substantially vertical body opening that extends through the entire body portion, the body opening being configured for positioning around the substantially vertical member such that the substantially vertical member protrudes though the body opening, and the body portion is a food for the animals. The method includes placing an opening lining in a container, the container having a side portion; pouring a mixture of the food into the container around the opening lining such that the poured mixture stays between the opening lining and the side portion of the container; and allowing the poured mixture to set into a solid. When the poured mixture is set into a solid, an area inside the opening lining forms the body opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , in use; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an opening lining in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the opening lining shown in  FIG. 5  in place in an exemplary bucket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7-9  show exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention including an opening lining; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows an example of a method in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0021]    Various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may be discussed in detail below. While specific implementations may be discussed, it should be understood that this may be done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art may recognize after reviewing this disclosure that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0022]    The disclosed embodiments comprise a variety of embodiments, such as a method and apparatus and other embodiments that relate to the basic concepts of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0023]    As explained above, the problem with many available baits is that they are quickly consumed by the animals or are easily carried off by the animals. Both of these problems result in fewer return visits by the animals to the location at which the bait was originally set. 
         [0024]    To address these problems, the invention provides a bait that is positioned over some sort of vertical pole in order to prevent the bait from being carried away by animals. An example of such a vertical pole is a small dead tree that is cut off a distance, for example five feet, above the ground. Other examples are a typical nominal 4″×4″ post or a piece of reinforcing steel driven into the ground. Also, the bait stands up well to weather because the composition of the bait is somewhat water resistant. 
         [0025]    The drawings show some exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a bait  100  in accordance with the invention. Bait  100  has a body portion  110  and an opening  120 . Opening  120  extends vertically completely through body portion  110  to provide passage of a vertical pole on which bait  100  is positioned for use. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of bait  100  positioned around a tree trunk  1000 . In this example, tree trunk  1000  results from a dead tree, for example, that has been cut off some distance (for example, five feet) above the ground  1010 . Bait  100  is then lowered over tree trunk  1000  such that tree trunk  1000  passes through opening  120  in body portion  110 . By positioning bait  100  in this way, animals cannot simply carry bait  100  away. 
         [0028]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the entirety of bait  100  is formed in one piece. In particular embodiments, the entirety of bait  100  is formed from a single material. The material from which bait  100  is formed is a material that the target animal considers food and is attracted to. One example of the material is a mixture of corn cornels, sugar, corn syrup, and other natural flavorings. In an exemplary manufacturing process of bait  100 , these ingredients are mixed together, heated, poured into a mold, and allowed to set. The bait is then removed from the mold producing a solid structure made entirely of the material. This finished product is strong enough to support its own weight and hold together while pieces are bitten off by animals. 
         [0029]    Other examples of materials that can be used are salts, calcium, phosphorous, sodium bicarbonate, other minerals, synthetic urine, natural urine, sugar beet smash, proteins, and glandular materials and their secretions such as tarsal gland, interdigital gland, orbital gland, vaginal secretions, hormones and pheromones. In some embodiments, one or more of these ingredients is included in an amount up to about  30  percent of the total volume with the rest of the total volume being an inert ingredient such as corn cornels or chips, sugar, corn syrup, etc. 
         [0030]    In the example of sodium bicarbonate, the sodium bicarbonate can be heated to a temperature of approximately  250  degrees Fahrenheit and poured into a mold. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment that includes a container  200  in which bait  100  is formed. In this example, container  200  includes a bucket portion  210 , a top or lid  220 , and a handle  230 .  FIG. 4  shows bucket portion  210  with lid  220  removed. An example of bucket portion  210  is a simple plastic bucket. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows an example of an opening lining  130  that can be used during the molding process of bait  100  to form opening  120 . In this example, opening lining  130  has four sides  132  and four corresponding flaps  134 . This example of opening lining  130  can be made from a flat sheet of material such as, for example, cardboard, sturdy paper, or other biodegradable, animal safe material. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows opening lining  130  positioned in bucket portion  210  (the wall of bucket portion  210  is cut away for clarity) ready to receive the material from which body portion  110  of bait  100  is formed. In some embodiments, one flap  134  is folded under the central opening of opening lining  130  to help prevent the material from entering the central opening. In this and other embodiments, the remaining three (or in other embodiments, all four) flaps  134  can be used as a gage to centrally locate opening lining  130  in bucket portion  210 . With opening lining  130  in place, the material (for example molten corn cornels, sugar and corn syrup) is poured into bucket portion  210  and around opening lining  130 . Opening lining  130  substantially, if not completely, contains the material and thus forms opening  120 . Opening lining  130  is, in some embodiments, a part of the finished bait  100  (see  FIG. 10 ). In other embodiments, opening lining  130  is removed from bait  100  before use. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, bucket portion  210  is sprayed with a release agent before the molten material is poured into bucket portion  210 . After the material has set, bucket portion  210  can simply be inverted and bait  100  removed from bucket portion  210 . 
         [0035]    After the molten material is poured into bucket portion  210 , top  220  can be attached to bucket portion  210  for transport. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 7-9  show a few alternate embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows a bait  100 ′ having a body portion  110 ′ that is round with a circular opening  120 ′.  FIG. 8  shows a bait  100 ″ having a body portion  110 ″ that is square with a square opening  120 ″.  FIG. 9  shows a bait  100 ′ having a body portion  110 ′ that is a truncated cone with a circular opening  120 ′. These are just a few examples of alternate configurations of the invention. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  shows an example of a method in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In  1110 , the opening lining is placed in the container. In  1120 , the mixture of food is poured into the container and around the opening lining. In  1130 , the mixture is allowed to set. And in  1140 , the bait is removed from the container. 
         [0038]    It is noted that the proportions and relative sizes of the elements of the examples shown in the figures are exemplary only and are not limiting. Different sizes and proportions of the elements can be used as long as bait  100  is strong enough and shaped properly to allow installation over a shaft of some sort. One example of bait  100  has an upper diameter of approximately 10-12 inches, a lower diameter of approximately 10-12 inches, an outside shape of a truncated cone, a height of approximately 8-10 inches, and an opening that is approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. These dimensions represent just one example of a possible embodiment of the invention. 
         [0039]    Although the above description may contain specific details, they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other configurations of the described examples of the disclosed embodiments may be part of the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Specific configurations of particular elements of an exemplary embodiment can be interchanged with other embodiments and still be within the scope and spirit of the invention.