How to dispatch trapped predator? (kinda graphic)

[greenmulberry]

I am having mink visitors. My goodness, those things are vicious!!

I would like to trap it, and I have access to a live trap, however, I am not sure what to do with it once I get it in the trap. The thought of driving it out far away and releasing it occurred to me, but I hate to make it someone else's problem, and, I understand that is often illegal.

The only gun I have is a shotgun, which would blow the trap to smithereens I suppose. I was thinking that I could make a catch pole, and drag it out of the trap and hit it with a baseball bat? Do you think that is realistic? So far that is my best idea. Or, I also thought that maybe if I got it in the catch pole I could just pull the cord hard enough to snap it's neck?

Damn thing killed one of my favorite hens and was trying to catch others when I suprised it. It was on a rampage. It even killed a mouse that was in the coop, bit it in the face and just left it there.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, a shot gun into the trap is probably not a good idea. What I use is a 1000 fps pellet gun. Get them right into the ear close up and it is a done deal. A 22 pellet rifle or a 22 real rifle would probably also work just as well. Just don't miss and get them when they are in the corner of the trap.

 

[TransplantedTexan]

Well if you have a shotgun just get some #6 birdshot and stand off about 20 yards, then have some one open the trap. When it comes out to run away you should be able to hit it. The diameter of your pattern will depend on the choke tube in the barrel, but it should be several inches at distance.

 

[horsejody]

There might be someone in your area that skins them. They might be willing to do the deed for you. Look in the yellow pages for a taxidermist. I'll bet they know someone. A few months back, DH had to shoot a coyote in the yard. We called around and found a guy who skinned them. He picked up the carcass. He made money on the fur, we didn't have to bury it, and the animal wasn't totally wasted. Just a thought.

 

[MBLayfield]

Okay, some might not agree with this method but when i catch something in a hava hart I drown it. I have a 50 gallon barrel that I have full of water and when there is an animal in there I just put it in the water and put a rock on top of the trap if I need to.

We were shooting the animals that would get in the traps but it was disgusting to get the body out, and half the time the bullets ruined the traps.

I'm only talking about skunks, racoons, foxes, minks etc. I have caught cats in them before and they are let loose.

 

[arwmommy]

Why don't you just call animal control? That is why they are there. They will either let it go, or HUMANELY euthanize it. Being shot at while running away is not humane. Neither is drowning. Yes, I understand you have to protect your flock, but these are animals too, and we should find the least lethal way possible to treat them. If they must be killed, we need to do it the most HUMANE, PAIN FREE way possible, even if it is not the most convenient for US.

Sorry, JMHO.

 

[Cocky]

If you can get a 22 that would do the trick without ruining the trap.

If not I would use the idea with the catch pole except I wouldn't pull it out and hit it unless I had someone else to hold the pole while i hit it.....would want it to take a bite out of you.....I would pull the string tight and suffacate if the neck breaking idea doesn't work.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Animal control is not always an option. For my area there is no such thing. The 2 hour truck ride to the nearest pound would be far more inhumane than any suggested end done promptly.

Carbon monoxide is another way to often suggested to kill them before getting them out of the trap, cover it with a tarp and add the exhaust of a small engine but I have heard from several trappers that it will leave the smell of exhaust on the trap and it's very unlikely you will trap anything again in that trap.

I agree with calling a trapper or someone that will use the pelt. They will often respond and it's good that some parts get used. However since being in a trap is stressful it'self I tend to think the sooner action is better than waiting for someone else. Drowning is the most common way I hear of being used for those in a cage type trap as guns damage the trap.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

i'm a trapper and there sould be plenty trappers around ur area it's just finding who is one that is the prob. here in pa it is illegal to trap or kill a mink out of season without a furbearers liceance or the game warden will get ya with a nice fine unless it is causeing property damage which u must show proof of for 2 weeks. if it is property damage u can't use bait or lures to trap it. u need to find out what ur state laws are with that preditor it is different than a skunk or a coon or fox, mink are usually protected by furbearing seasons and most states have different laws pertaining to trapping although some are similar.

a #1.5 foot hold or a 110 conibear body gripper are both legal in ur state as well as up to a 220 coni on land/water to use will hold and catch one if done right. body grippers are instant kill traps. the foot hold will hold it and u can tap it on the skull with a thick stick to dispatch it or a 22 to the back of the head. a live trap may work also but needs to be a small one they do not fear human scent.

dispatching one with a 22 bullet to the back of the head, or a crack to the top of the head or the drowning method is fastest and humane and legal as long as they are in season to do so or follow under the property damage laws. a 22 at close rang up against the head will not ricoche into the cage or back at u, it will go int the ground. for drowning fill a tub full of water and sink the cage and use bricks if needed u don't have to drive it to the nearest pond. most states i know of relocation of a preditor is illegal especially coon, skunks and other rabbies carriers as well as nuceance animals.

the mink is to small, fast and nasty when caught a catch pole will not work. it will make it mad and flip to much and will hurt the animal and will not tighten small enough to snap it's neck it will only hurt it and cause suffering or it will go after u to get out of it and be dangerous for the people presant. mink have teeth like a dog and are sharp like needles u in noway want bit by one so please becareful whatever u do.

animal control is not trained to deal with wildlife such as a mink and most places like here do not have such a thing heck i don't even have an spca here. ADC trappers, Game commisions are but gc usually don't help. we caught a coon last year i have had them tell me it's my prob shoot it or drown it if they find out i released it they'd be at my door so i had no choice but to do what gc said and propertly dispatche it.
silkie

 

[zach]

ive shot skunks in live traps with #6 shot standing about 25 yards off it didnt even dent the trap