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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Skunk - further question re live trapping

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Lee

10-21-2003 15:43:40




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Thanks for all the ideas on my last post. I'll keep them all on file! I trust that you guys who suggest trapping aren't setting me up for disaster!??!! If it is indeed "safe" to do, it is the easiest for me to do. I wouldn't have guessed that they don't spray when trapped. How do you get the trap covered without exciting the stinker? I do have a trap that I used to fight the "coons in the corn battle". Seeing the culprit actually meet its demise would be more reassuring than asumming that if I don't see him for awhile, he had chosen to leave because of my "deterrents" .

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Sam MI

10-23-2003 17:10:13




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  
I've trapped many skunks and racoons using the Hav a Hart trap. Only time I've been sprayed is by a small skunk. Seems the large ones can't get there tail high enough to do there deed. I use couple of pieces of 1/4" rod to stake the trap in place, then use dry dog food as bait. I use a garden rake to move the trap to the tailgate of my truck. I have a rope tied to the trap then I drive down to the creek nearby, set the trap on an abutment with the rake, then I lower the critter into the creek with the rope. Wife really gets upset when I give the racoons the same treatment.

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Don-Wi

10-22-2003 20:24:33




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  
Well, I don't have any experience with trapping, but I did run one over once with my 1755 while cultivating corn this summer. Only got it's back, but it still sprayed the tractor(It stunk like a skunk for 2 weeks) and was gone the next time around. Go figure.
Donovan from Wisconsin



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Darren in TN

10-22-2003 15:05:06




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  

WHOA! Yes they DO spray when trapped. I've dispatched a good many from steel leg-hold traps and come upon a few in my conibears (that is, 'instant kill' type body grip traps) dispatched for me. All of them-- every one-- sprayed. I have been told that you can live-trap them in a Havahart-style trap without them spraying, but that you absolutely have to cover the trap with a heavy bag before setting it so the animal can't see you when you approach. Les, I've known of folks trapping them in 'bagged' live-traps and using a hose to pipe the bag full of auto exhaust for spray-free killing. However, I've also heard a LOT of crazy stories about how a shotgun slug, high-powered rifle, buckshot, spine-shot, brain-shot, etc. will kill a skunk without it spraying. Tried all that except the high-power (what's the point?) and the only way we ever dispatched a live skunk in one of our traps without it spraying was drowning.

So far as deterrents are concerned, I have been told that a radio left on and set LOUD will cause the skunk to look for other accomodations, but I have no experience with this. (Does sound kinda like the high-powered rifle story, don't it?) Anyway, may be worth trying the radio before trying something riskier.

Darren in TN
(who has trapped and shot a few skunks, but has likewise gotten the business from them one time too many...)

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Jon

10-21-2003 20:44:42




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  
I bilt a skunk trap, I think the measurements are 12 H, 12 W, by 24 to 30 inches deep. At the closed end I put a piece of 1/2 inch plywood on a cheap hinge allowing for a sardine tin to be placed be underneth. This puts the plywood piece at about a 30 degree angle. To this plywood I attached a long fishing leader, whent straight up out the top through a metal gromet (used as a bushing as the leader made a right angle bend) to a 1/8 inch rod (I believe it was an antenna). This rod went through an I hook and then partly though a hole in the sliding trap door. The rod keeps the door from dropping. The way it works, the animal smells the sardines, goes into the trap and tries to get at the sardines. When it puts its front paws on the plywood toget at the sardines, the plywood gives pulling the leader down with it causing the rod to pull out of the trap door. Its caught. You will have tinker with the settings so that the door will trip with out to much resitance. I put a piece of clear plastic about 4 inches in diameter on the back end so as I could see inside to varify what I caught. Over this plastic put some wire mesh just in case the critter chewed through the plasic. I cut some 1 inch holes on the sides so I can provid venting and if it was a skunk, I would spray starting ether into the trap then plug the holes when I read to remove it.. Puts them to sleep for the short term. A skunk can not spray unless it can rase its tail, the trap size does not allow it to raise its tail.

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Michael Soldan

10-21-2003 20:28:10




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  
Lee, here is the easiest way I have found, for all forms of animals,pull a large green garbage bag over the trap, bait it and set it. The trapped animal will be much quieter and you can grab the handle through the plastic and carry the trap, load it and take the animal away, Just roll the trap over on its top and the door will drop open freeing the animal( at this point you are several feet away!) Covering any trapped animal will quiet them down so an old blanket or piece of tarp will work too...don't use one of your wife's good blankets.....Mike in Exeter Ontario

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Jonathan

10-21-2003 17:21:10




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 Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Lee, 10-21-2003 15:43:40  
well, I walk slowly toward the trap and I wait for the skunk to turn his backend away from me and then I'll toss an opened tarp on the trap, trying my best for full coverage of the trap, and then walk up and finish placing it, then you'll be able to pick it up and walk away with it. If you put it into the back of your truck you'll want to tuck the excess tarp under the trap so as it won't blow off during transport. Once there, I uncover the door end of the trap and open the door.
Good luck!

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randy in Pa

10-21-2003 17:50:49




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 Re: Re: Skunk - further question re live trapping in reply to Jonathan, 10-21-2003 17:21:10  
I trap nuisance wildlife and have removed hundreds of skunks and have never had one spray. I walk up to the trap slowly holding a 3'x3' peice of carpet in front of me. a skunks first warning is it will stomp its front feet hard enough that you can hear it. its second and last warning is it will start to raise its tail. if you see any of these signs , stop and talk softly to it. when it calms down advance again. when you get to the trap cover it with the carpet pick up the trap and put it in your truck. if the trap has a wire bottom the skunk will pull grass and roots thru the wire and you will think the trap is welded to the ground and will really have to pull to get it loose.

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