Author Topic: Skunk trouble (Read 483 times)

deerslayer15 · « **on:** January 17, 2005, 04:56:59 PM »

I already cought one skunk in my live traps. How do I avoid catching a skunk. And if I do how can I get it out of the trap without spraying :eek: :x Last time I shot it in the head with a .22 hollow point and it still sprayed :eek: :x .

Bubber · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2005, 05:53:41 PM »

I know of no way to keep them out of a live trap. They will eat anything and like eveything.

And yea, don't shoot them in the head or spine, they will spray everytime. If you shoot them in the lungs they ususally don't spray but don't do it with a hollow point. The downside is you have to hit them in the lungs and a quarter sized target can be hard to hit when the animal is up under a deck and you can't see where the lungs are.

Also an effective way is to cover the trap with an old towel or somthing like that. walk slowly and talk in a soft voice. If it raises its tail stop and contiue to talk softly untill it settles down. When the trap is covered pick it up gently, walk slow, and submerse it in water untill it drowns. They will not spray.

the other is to use an euthanization pole and inject them with acetone. I have never tried this, know nothing about it, so unless you can find someone who does know about it I would say forget about it.

Jacktheknife · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2005, 08:38:43 PM »

Skunks? They will always spray, its their thing, it's what they do.
Their ain't no way to keep them from spraying, trapped, dogged or shot their gona spray. Usually before I even get near a set, that is how I know I have a skunk, I can smell them. Hmmmm smells like I have a skunk.
But don't worry too much about it, you will get used to it.
Heck, I think it smells good, really, it reminds me of all the good times I have ever had out in the woods. Winter, wood fires, and hunting, shooting and trapping. I really look forwards to a good skunk smell now and then.
It ain't that bad and I think the aversion to skunk smell is sort of a habititual social training thing. Weasel and mink smell much worse.

Knife

deerslayer15 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2005, 02:15:57 AM »

Jack if you like the smell so much, the next time I catch one I will call you and have you take it out for me. :-D I thought about taking the extention pole my dad has(it is about 25 foot long) and opening the trap with it. I'm pretty sure that it will work so nexted time I'm gunna try it.

Bubber · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:22:23 AM »

Just pick them up by the tail. They can't spray when you do that. Don't let them reach up and grab thier hind legs, they will douse you good if they do.

I like the smell too and go out of my way to drive past a good road kill. especially if I have passengers. the way the pungent aroma tingles your nostrils. Brethe deep and enjoy while the poor schmuck in the seat next to you gags and crys. Its wonderfull. But other people don't seent enjoy it near as much. when caught in a conibear or live trap it is very rare for them to spray. A conibear they will leak some an leave some oder. It isn't however that bitter, smell that gives you a headache. In a live trap they almost never spray unless somthing starts to hassle them like a dog. Spraying is a defense mechanism. They only use it when nessecary. Simply catching one is not likey enough to make it spray. There has to be an aggitator. How much it is depends on the animal.

Macthediver · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2005, 10:34:14 AM »

Dang !
I typed a whole page of stuff as a response for you, and then it didn't take. So know I lost my wind LOL. But trust me skunks can be killed without Spraying you and it don't take a 25ft pole just a little patients.

Mac

deerslayer15 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2005, 12:33:08 PM »

If you know how could you please tell me :grin: