skunk problem

[paul pachowicz]

I've got a skunk hangin around inside my barn. I've tried several times to wait him out hoping to shoot it with no luck. I've got it on my game-cam a few times and tried to time my ambush to his movement time on the camera. Anyway, I think I'm going try my buddies conabear trap. The question is; if I do nail it with the trap and it kills it immediately will it "release"? Just hate the thought of stinkin up the barn or having it settle dwon for a long winters nap in there OR walking in there while he's on the prowl.

[Ray1]

It will spray. I have never had one yet that hasnt sprayed after i had shot it or after it walks into a 220 conibear.

[workin4bait]

My neighbor live traps them all the time,when one is in the trap he walks slowly up to the trap uses a hook and pulls the trap out to the open field. When he is ready to shoot it he opens up the door and the skunk waddles out and a few yards later is shot. Yes the skunk "releases" but he is away from buildings and such. He claims that he has never been sprayed.

Good Luck

[TooTallTom]

Watch your wind on the release/ shot, and have the drag rope alread attached to the live trap just to save some hassle.

[paul pachowicz]

I had thought about a Hav-A-Hart trap as I heard they can't raise the tail to spray and you can shot them right thru the trap. Besides, I could drag that trap over into the neighbors pasture and kill with the wind in his favor.....LOL

[pushbutton]

I had thought about a Hav-A-Hart trap as I heard they can't raise the tail to spray

While I do not think I am familiar with that brand in particular, would be sceptical that it can't spray. Have live trapped quite a few with various traps and spraying is pretty much par for the course.

[Neighbor_guy]

I had a skunk problem at my first house, they were getting into the detached garage and making a mess of things. The Have-a-heart traps were the best thing I found. Bait them with cat food in a can.

I have been flamed before for what happens next... If you toss an old blanket over the trap, they wont spray. Then drop the entire thing blanket, trap, skunk, into a 55gallon drum of water. Come back a few minutes later, remove the trap, dispose of the skunk, and re-bait.

I had 13 skunks one year, 3 by gun, 10 by trap, and only one sprayed. It was shot w/a .40cal. 4 shot from the shotgun, and the live trap were stink free.

[leech~~]

Nice Matt, aren't the Havahart traps for people to live trip things and let them go? I thought, Matt is really a sensitive guy, until I got to the 55 gal drum part! Sounds like a good system!

[highlife4me]

Mix a can of soda or beer with some golden malrin fly bait. Anything that drinks it will die almost instantly. Never seen a cat drink it but I would never use where a dog could get at it. Farmers have been using this stuff for years with excellent results. Just as deadly as a trap and no smell.

[jigginjim]

keep the pets away but a small amount of dog food and some sweet water(anti-freeze for your car) will cure your skunk issue.

[Ufatz]

Hey you guys...has anybody tried to DRIVE skunks away from an area. We have one that goes under our deck some nights and I do NOT want him setting up house for the winter. Obviously I can't shoot him right in front of house.

Am thinking maybe rags soaked in ammonia or something similar might make him stay away thus saving his life and my troubles.

What do you think.

I do NOT want to mess with deadly chemical concoctions.

Thanks for ideas.

[TooTallTom]

If you have a cat, you could try setting up a line of gently used cat litter in front of his access route.

Or throw the cat under the deck with it.

[TooTallTom]

Paul, any resolution to your problem yet?

[motley man]

The fly bait recipe works great, but be sure pets and kids can't get to it!!! Live traps work great and if done right, no smell. Moth balls work to keep pests out, under decks, cabins, barns etc.

[Ryan_V]

I had a skunk problem at my first house, they were getting into the detached garage and making a mess of things. The Have-a-heart traps were the best thing I found. Bait them with cat food in a can.

I have been flamed before for what happens next... If you toss an old blanket over the trap, they wont spray. Then drop the entire thing blanket, trap, skunk, into a 55gallon drum of water. Come back a few minutes later, remove the trap, dispose of the skunk, and re-bait.

I had 13 skunks one year, 3 by gun, 10 by trap, and only one sprayed. It was shot w/a .40cal. 4 shot from the shotgun, and the live trap were stink free.

BINGO!