Skunk in live trap= step 2?

[Indiana hens]

Sorry, these spray! I am on #2 skunk. It sprayed before I shot it. I take it the tarp thing goes on before the skunk? Thanks for the help. Signed, "not getting sprayed by the D@#* skunk"

 

[SandraChick]

Hubby and I have taken care of dozens of skunks....(they will eat the eggs from under your hens!)


First- even if you don't plan on trapping a skunk- prep the trap in case you do!----We often use old cardboard (on three sides, with a slit for the handle) or we cut open an old feed bag and do the same. This helps you be able to carry a coon too---they'll sometimes try to claw at you through the cage while you're carrying them!

Second-- If you can- wait until it's nice and bright outside---they get really sleepy...but so long as the trap is covered, I've been able to move the trap without getting sprayed (remember the slit for the handle before hand though!). If you're concerned about it--by waiting until early afternoon when it's a little warmer and bright out---they're _really_ sleepy then!

Third-- Bring the trap to the far end of your yard- preferable down wind from the house to shoot it (.22 works fine). Remember- they're actually as small as a medium-small cat--they're just fluffy! When they're shot, they will often "leak out" their spray---so the smell stays there and doesn't go into the air!

Dispose of the skunk appropriately then spray down trap with peroxide mixture and a good rinse with the hose sprayer.

Voila!


PLEASE DO NOT JUST LET IT GO SOMEPLACE ELSE----
1. you transfer the problem to someone else
2. it will likely starve to death- as it will not know its environment
3. it is illegal in some states, including CA----it can spread rabies!!!
THose are just my top three reason.

Sandra

 

[HappyHatch'en]

Tomato Juice Does Not Work.......Hydrogen Peroxide 1 pint mixed with 1/4 cup of Baking Soda.....CAUTION......Do Not Mix In a Closed Bottle with the cap on....These ingredients produce oxygen and foams....if contained by a cap.... it will expand and explode. Skunks, Raccoons and Possum eat many of our game birds....wild turkey, partridge, pheasant...not to mention the chicken population....not giving the death penalty would be wrong IMO....
HappyHatch'en

 

[Tailfeathers]

I have either read or been told somewhere that if you drown them in the trap they won't spray.

Not quite sure how you get them into the water without them spraying first but I'd go with the long rope idea I think. If it were me, I'd spend some time on Google.

God Bless,

 

[trinity]

my husband did something that sounds horrible but but it didnt spray but it woudlnt be for the faint of hearts.He knows my heart so he didnt tell me he did it this way until about 6 weeks later. but he covered the the cadge so it coudlnt see and picked it up and put it in a 50 gallon drum of water.

 

[Tailfeathers]

That's it. I remember now. Covering the cage at night so it's dark inside will keep them from spraying. Then you can just carry it to a water filled drum or toss it in a pond and they won't spray in the water either.

Be sure to tie a rope to the cage if you're gonna toss it into a pond though!

God Bless,

 

[miss_jayne]

oh my. just oh my. my Mary Poppins powers aren't helping here!

we just shoot them with bird shot. but, they have never been right up by the house.

two loads and down they go.

hope you get it taken care of.

 

[Badlatitude]

stop shooting them! they just release and stink! White vinigar will neutralize the smell very well as the skunks spray is very basic and vinigar is acid. Plus u can buy it cheap in big jugs.


When you trap a skunk you need a bed sheet. a twin size will work fine.

Grasp the bed sheet by the top 2 corners and bring it togather so your clenched hands are at about shoulder height and close in as you can hold them ( on either side of your chin. DO NOT SPREAD IT OUT WIDE AND LET IT FLAP IN THE WIND!!!!!!!

Slowly approach the skunk while talking to him in a gentle soft calming voice... like you would talk to a sick pet or child to calm them. IF the skunk faces you just relax , move slow and keep talking to them. he may raise his tail just stop walking and speak gently.

IF the skunk starts stomping his front feet STOP IMMEDIATLY and continue to woo him moving very slowly then just cover the trap.

Youngsters and "teen agers" will drip some but thats it. I havent been sprayed in the 15-16 years ive been doing Nuisance Wilflife control and my father has not been sprayed in the past 25+ years using this method.



Ok so now you have a skunk in the trap! what to do with him???? Shooting clearly end with them releasing. If you have somwhere far from the house stick him in the back of the truck with the trap ontop of the sheets edges. No its not going to spray if you drive like a normal human being and not a race car driver lol and go shoot him. Or build yourself a kill chamber to use CO2 ( this is the prefered method) U can also use car exhaust , drowning or a lethal injection. We use the Co2 because its clean , safe and effective they never spray in the chamber and they die at peace.

Or you can call your local Nuisance Wildlife control operator and ask them to come get it and bring your trap back ( for a fee ofcourse)

:edit:
BEFORE drowning what type of cage trap do you have??? if its a doube door press the tabs on the door some where the latch bars are.. If its a single door put it door facing down imho

 

[Indiana hens]

The last booger sprayed as I was standing 30 feet away. You folks are welcome to have them as I catch them or I can shoot them from as far as possible. I am not handling a loaded skunk! AND They were already spraying in the barn every chance they got! Thanks for the advise!

 

[jjthink]

Why do you suppose they were spraying the barn? Just curious as we've never had a skunk do that before and there's plenty around here - they don't bother anything (unless terrified due to an unexpected encounter with something they fear). It would be interesting to know what compels them to spray in cases like your situation.
JJ