ek!....just caught a skunk...

bill83 · #1 03/15/09, 04:39 AM

I knew something was getting into the cat food in the feed room on the barn and I found it this morning. It hasn't sprayed...yet. It is acting scared, but curious. I have an old sheet over the live trap in prep for a trip down the road to near where an insurance agent lives. (the lil' feller CAN go the other way?) What's your method of removal--disposal?

Jenn · #2 03/15/09, 07:56 AM

shot from distance in cage. Neighbor didn't mind slight ding in wires of cage trap I'd borrowed.

cur huntin' kid · #3 03/15/09, 08:05 AM

Cover the trap in a tarp and then take it to a deep creek and throw the trap in with a rope attached. Wait for the bubbles to stop

Curtis B · #4 03/15/09, 08:22 AM

Both methods sound good to me, especially since my dogs got sprayed again last night. I do miss my old dog that killed everyone she could.

Janis Sauncy · #5 03/15/09, 08:25 AM

If you're intent on killing it, please choose a quicker, more humane method than a slow death by drowning.

Janis

kreig · #6 03/15/09, 08:43 AM

havahart company which makes live traps has a web site. On it they have some suggestions for moving a skunk with little chance of being sprayed

mldollins · #7 03/15/09, 08:53 AM

Same thing happened to me 6 months ago...I was sick. Here is what I did.....

I took oversized trash bags and covered my upper body and slid one over each arm. Then I had a big oversized sheet of plastic and I walked toward it carefully making sure it was always facing me. Also, make sure the plastic is in front of you and draped over your head in the event he sprays.

As you walk slowly toward it, use the plastic to cover the cage and tuck underneath. Everything is done slowly. Tuck it on top and around.

When I got far away from the house, I had another sheet of plastic covering me and I slowly let him out. Again no sudden moves. He never sprayed once.

One warning, dont haul it in a car but put it in the bed of a truck.

Janis Sauncy · #8 03/15/09, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldollins

Same thing happened to me 6 months ago...I was sick. Here is what I did.....

I took oversized trash bags and covered my upper body and slid one over each arm. Then I had a big oversized sheet of plastic and I walked toward it carefully making sure it was always facing me. Also, make sure the plastic is in front of you and draped over your head in the event he sprays.

As you walk slowly toward it, use the plastic to cover the cage and tuck underneath. Everything is done slowly. Tuck it on top and around.

When I got far away from the house, I had another sheet of plastic covering me and I slowly let him out. Again no sudden moves. He never sprayed once.

One warning, dont haul it in a car but put it in the bed of a truck.

Oh, good! Another one who thinks "catch and release" is an option!

We did this a while back and didn't get sprayed. Re-located the guy to a spot away from homes and farms but with a creek. I'd do it again, although I'd be pretty hard-pressed to convince my kids again!

Janis

bill83 · #9 03/15/09, 09:04 AM

All safe now. I didn't get as far as the agents place (2 mi further), it was released about half way between two other houses- each 1/4 mi. away. The trap was covered w/ an old sheet as soon as I found the critter in there. I used dried prunes as bait b'cause cats aren't interested in 'em. The trap stayed covered til the critter was out of it. Drowning does take too long although I have used a perforated lung method with no stinky results so far. Thanks for the replies.

ninny · #10 03/15/09, 09:41 AM

You should've boxed hiim up and sent him to Washington where the rest of the skunks are.

..

Minelson · #11 03/15/09, 09:45 AM

Skunks are notorious for carrying rabies.

DW · #12 03/15/09, 09:56 AM

I am not going to tell my hubby about this thread! He thinks he should relocate them. We have a trap wrapped in heavy plastic, he takes them about 12 mi. away to the river, has this rope method where he releases the door and skunk crawls out. I think he should shoot it in the cage. We have never had this much trouble but we now have this cute new (dumb) lab...sure glad she likes baths!!!!

Highground · #13 03/15/09, 10:02 AM

Put a tarp over the cage and run a hose from the truck exhaust under the tarp. Puts 'em right to sleep.

beccachow · #14 03/15/09, 10:39 AM

*If* you don't feel catch and release is a viable option, the exhaust is the least traumatic way to go.

Glad you got the critter away safely and spray-free!

Lilandra · #15 03/15/09, 10:51 AM

umm... put the cat food in a sealed trash bin and then there is no reason for them to come visiting
we switched our barn cats to cheap puppy food - no skunks no matter how messy the cats are.

glad you let the lil guy go, they are important to the balance in nature

**highlands** · #16 03/15/09, 12:44 PM

Please kill it. Do not catch and release. Catch and release simply dumps the problem in someone else's backyard and can spread disease. It is also illegal to release in some states (like Vermont). The car exhaust is probably the most humane suggestion other than a bullet to the head.

TSYORK · #17 03/15/09, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

You should've boxed hiim up and sent him to Washington where the rest of the skunks are.

..

No..... you must be thinking about the jackass that got loose on a another thread.... LOL

edcopp · #18 03/15/09, 03:23 PM

Take it over and drop it off with Janis. She seems to like to play around with them.

joshwilson · #19 03/15/09, 05:00 PM

The most simple method to dispatch a traped skunk is to make a pole out of pvc pipe or any other material and fix a syringe on the end, 6foot long should do well. Simple fill the syringe with acetone that you can find at the hardware store. Always move very slowly and talk to the skunk in a calm voice as you approach. Inject the skunk directly behind the front shoulder and in less than a minute you have a dead skunk with no spray. This is the method used by most trappers because the skunk does not spray, and that trappers want to collect the skunk essence to use in lures. If the skunk sprays they loose the essence. I find this to be the most humane method with the least risk of spraying and the least risk of rabies since there is no blood from a gunshot. Please do not release skunks. Skunks are the only mammal that can survive with the rabies virus, it does not kill them, but they can spread it to other animals.

DavidUnderwood · #20 03/15/09, 06:39 PM

All the methods of dispatch mentioned
here are acceptable. As for "humane and
less traumatic", drowning is best. And as
quick as any other.
In NC, you may not relocete any trapped
animal. A skunk will walk a mile in less than
ten minutes. Do not make your problem
someone elses.
Best use would be skin and save all usable parts.