Skunks

[muslmutt]

I am looking for some opinions on how to remove a skunk from a set without it spraying, and what to do with a set a skunk has sprayed at.Any thoughts?

[Bogmaster]

Removing skunks without them spraying is like most things--no Gaurantees.
 I have removed them by shooting with a .22 short in the heart lung region,the short enters but does'nt exit.Do not use a long or long rifle shell,this will almost gaurantee a stinky result.
 You can also use a syringe on a pole to euthanize your skunks.
 The key to all skunk handling ,is to take it slow and easy.I talk quietly and move slowly.If the skunk starts to get aggitated,back off ,wait a while and start again.Best of LUCK.   Tom

[KYtrapper17]

If a skunk was to spray at one of my sets I would remove it and re-make the set. It might catch another skunk or a possum, but canines are very attracted to skunk essence.

Good Luck,
Zach Ellis :wink:

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

Hey MATT;
  Welcome to the forum!  I told you it was a good place to be.  The only thing is to watch out for Wackyquacker, RdFx, and Ace. :lol:  They are a bunch of old geezers who are cantankerous as a mule. :wink:

To all on the forum:   Matt is a friend who is a trapper here in my neck of the woods.  I won't let him in on my territory cause he might out do me. :eek:   I won't tell him any of my "secrets" because he starts thinking and then out catches me. :twisted:   Seriously, Matt is learning the ropes pretty fast.  I am sure he will make a good addition to the forum.

[RdFx]

Welcome aboard Matt,  sounds like the old man (Joe)  knows yr  a good trapper up and coming.  Well  keep at it and keep yr eyes and ears open.   As for skunks the smell draws ALL canines in to area so remake set at skunk sprayed and put sets outside of catch circle  even up to 25 yds or more away.   If you do  harvest skunk without spraying keep  harvest scent for later use and skin and flesh skunk..... Good Luck

[muslmutt]

Thanks, I wish I had found this earlier. I did remake one particular skunked set set, and put another set 25yrds away. I was in too good of a spot to give up due to getting skunked. That new set produced another skunk. I pulled it and left the first. Got a big opossum in it yesterday. I think that is a good sign.

[RdFx]

Remake the skunked up sets and make another  set aways away like you did now its PATIENCE , have skunk will have canines!!

[pa ridge-runner]

Hi Gents!This is my first reply on this topic.When I get a skunk in my set I shoot it in the head from a safe distance.A 22 short is good.I let it "blow off" for a couple or 3 days then bury the skunk in the ground,only leaving the tail visable.I then bury two traps next to it.One on either side.This can (sometimes) turn into a hot fox set.Be sure to spray the area well and remove any blood.
If I get a possum in my fox-yote set I leave that location,and do not reset at that spot.My 2 cents worth. Pa R-R

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

pa ridge-runner;
  Got any buzzards in your area?   Matt and I have a lot of buzzards here and everytime I have ever tried to make the set you mention with the skunk tail showing, I return to the set to find a buzzard in the trap.!!  Ain't no fun getting one out of the trap. :eek:

[Wackyquacker]

Welcome Matt!   Good to have you on board.  

Sorry to learn of your plight, I can't help you much with your smelly problem...those types of critters don't live in these parts :wink: .  Now, as far as skunks go we find them only along the water ways and I think ole Boggy and RdFx gave you some good pointers.

Mr. JOEY, so your saying that every time you tried a skunk tail set you catch yourself?  How does that work?  You get to busy smellin the sweatness and loose track of where you put your thumb or what.? :eek:

[pa ridge-runner]

Rascal...not many buzzards in these parts.We DO have some but most get the he** out of here in the winter months.I once lived in Florida for awhile,the place is crawling with em.If yur family cat gets hit by a car in the mornin it will be gobbled up by noon.Would like to add that from what I've experienced skunks and possums get caught no matter what, till they are cleaned out of the area.It's just a pain getting them thinned out some first. :-)

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

WQ;
  It has been told that I like the smell of skunk so much that someone saw me rolling on a set where I just caught a skunk and caught my shirt in the remake.  :shock:

Pa ridge-runner;
   This time of the year, it gets difficult to even pick up a road kill rabbit to use belly fur as a flag.  Danged buzzards are thick.   Caught one where the trap was on a drag and chased that durn thing over 80 acres.  It would get the drag about 2 ft. off the ground and down it would come again.  Talk about your unwanted catch!  Drag was a cedar bush.  That was years ago when I was a little younger and I remember at the time I thought it funny, me chasing buzzard.  Wouldn't be so funny now. :wink:

[pa ridge-runner]

Can't say I've ever caught  a buzzard :shock: I'm glad I havent.Was a laugh to hear about yours. :-D   .I have had my share of wierd critters and birds but no buzzard...would probably scare the crap outa me!
I dont usually use dead stuff for bait but have heard that trick may work.This time of year up in these parts I would need a jack hammer to get through the frozen ground.Its a good time for real hungry predators,that sub-zero stuff gets em movin.

[muslmutt]

That is a funny story. If I moved my set every time I caught a opossum I would be very busy. This year I got permission to trap privite property along a river. It has not been trapped since the the family bought it in the 40s. They just lightly hunt the 3000 acres for deer, turkey, and coyotes. Rascal can testify to the size of the coon I have been catching.  Since the bobcat  and coon don't seem to mind I have been remaking them. Birds of prey(including bald eagle) and scavengeing birds are a problem here. I also would hate to catch a large non-edible bird.

[Wackyquacker]

Speaking of the o;d Rascal where is he now? :?   Did he go and fall off a ladder or just fine a sweetie who's cable needed attending? :roll:

[RdFx]

Joes' sweetie has the cable on him... Didnt you read his last post when he sets up dishes she is the foreman.  LOL ................................... I think Joe  trapped his Atv  in one of his yote traps and cant get it out.