Skunk in live trap O.T.

I have a skunk around and set a live trap tonight. If I catch one, what is the best way to dispose of it without getting blasted?

Thanks, Roy

Throw a blanket over the trap. Bring the trap to where ever you are going to release it (or what ever), open the trap, pull off the blanket walk away and either wait or just come back later.

Skunks are not that bad, you really have to shake them up to get them to spray. The blanket is the key.

K

Cover the trap with a blanket to keep it dark.

Before you open the trap, decide what you are going to do with him.

Try some of that "smart diplomacy" I keep hearing about on the news.

If that doesn't work, poke it with a sharp stick.

Two things depend on not getting sprayed .
One is the box tight enough for him not to be able to get his tail up and get into the spraying stance.

If an open cage style that may alone may cause it to be able to see you and feel you a threat so I'd cover the trap so you can look in one end so when you reach down and pick it up he won't see that movement.

My suggestion probably isn"t PETA approved

really helps if your trap has gravity doors, slowly roll trap upside down with long pole and doors will open by themselves

skunks are really gentle, sorta like pussycats

i caught one on front porch one nite...trap was just under my bedroom window and i managed to drop a sheet over trap and then pick it up and carry it a safe distance from house...no odor at all until sentence was passed and firing squad assembled...skunk got the last laff.

If you catch one, you could slide the trap and all, (using a long-handle garden tool) into a trash can and snap the lid on. Then move it to a suitable place to deal with it. You could put a garden hose in there and turn on the water, you could put an exhaust hose in there from a running engine, etc. etc. etc.

I place my trap where I can shoot at it. Go out in the morning with my .22 and pop him off. Wait a day for the smell to go away and bury him along the fence line.

If you choose to shoot it in the trap, shoot it in the heart, not the head. Won't stink that way.

Gordo

I did the exact same thing a few years ago in the very hot part of summer. I certianly do not expect anyone to believe me, but he lasted 21 days without anything to drink or eat. I was so concerned about the neighbors dogs and cats as well as the neighbor kids--just a bit of good luck.

I've trapped several in a live trap at work. No real issue. I just picked the trap up and set it in the back of the truck and dropped him of in the field on the way home. No fanfare muss or fuss. They are just like a dog, get excited around them and your asking for it.

I have heard that it's good to set the trap some place where you can forget about it till spring.

Dave

The experts on tv wear disposible suits masks and try to put a tarp over trap ,but skunk usually always fired at them good luck

Just went thru that this summer. Bought a havahart trap and got a skunk the first day. Walked up to it with a tarp and covered it. There was a slight smell. Loaded it in the PU and drove down the road and the tarp started coming loose. I slowed down instead of trying to tuck the tarp underneath.

The trick is trying to open the latch and block it open with a board to let the skunk out without being sprayed. You better figure out how to open it and run before you catch one. YOu need one hand on the latch and one hand on the lever. Than a block of wood or some wire to hold the door open. The skunk ambled out on his own without spraying. When I trapped a oppossum, it dug its claws into the wire and wouldn't come out even when I stood it up. Finally poked it out with a stick. Guess I'll try it upside down the next time.

After that I got a black trash bag and it fit all round the trap and tied off at the opening. Made it look like a dark tunnel with dry cat food in it. Wrapped in a black garbage bag will help avoid using the tarp or blanket. However, it was a 100 degrees out and my wife was worried about a cat being stuck in there for a day so she made me take the trash bag off.

That skunk did dig a place under the trap where it was trying to get out. Left a lot of dirt in the cage. I suppose it would tear up the bottom of the trash bag but still easier than trying to wrap a tarp or blanket.

Take it miles away and give it to others, nothing better than sharing.They all have a purpose so no need to despatch it.

An old fellow showed me how he trapped skunks.He had a wooden potato barrel mounted on a pivot rod on two stakes driven in to the ground.He had a ramp going up to the open end of the barrel.The pivot rod was off center so the barrel swung open end up.He had a figure 4 trigger outside the barrel.A bit of hay rope tied to a chicken wing inside the barrel tripped the figure 4,barrel swung up right .Skunk couldnt get out.If the barrel was upright next morning he went to a near by garage and borrowed their exhaust hose.He put a tarp on the open end of the barrel, stuck the hose under the tarp and gave the skunk some exhaust gas.Moving them is foolish, they will come back.A fellow who live trapped racoons marked some with spray paint then moved them a good distance away.He caught the marked racoons again.I use a box trap and shoot them with a 22.Some borrowed my last box trap, never returned it.My rat size box trap got borrowed so much that I never had it when I needed it.When a skunk sprays under my porch or stinks up the cat I trap him and make sure Stinky doesnt do it again.

I don"t know if it"s an old wives tale or not but it is said they have to be able to dig in their rear claws to spray so line the bottom of your trap with thin UHMW and see how that works or better yet let me know how that works for you from long distance. :->

Like the other poster said, best way is a sudden drop into water, most havahart traps will fit into a 55 gallon drum, and I've yet to see a skunk hold his head up against the weight of the trap!

I cover the trap with an old sheet and throw the whole thing in the pond.