Read the message board on folks having problems destroying skunks in livetraps. May not be for everyone but heres what used to do on our farm...approach the trap slowly and quietly (sudden movement and noise is a sure way to get a spray) and cover with a tarp leaving the door end open so the skunk can see out (dont let anyone walk out in front of open doorway while carrying the trap).
We already had a long rope tied to the trap and would immerse the trap in a pond and drowed the animal. Some skunks did spray but the trap wouldnt smell to bad after and was easily cleaned (we used bleach). Most skunks sprayed when we shot them so this wasnt very effective depending on the location.
Btw - learned this through trial and error - got sprayed twice in the process (once approaching the trap and once losing my grip as I was throwing the trap in the pond). It does work though.
Return to Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy Category Menu
However, real trappers dispatch skunks with a long pole with a syringe and inject the animal with sodium pentathlon. No spraying that way, unlike the farm style of "get-r-done".
one to the head, no more spraying.!1
I have caught a couple of skunks and what i do is place a pillowcase or sack at the mouth of the trap and have my wife gently tip the trasp...the skunks go on the bag...bag goes in the water...shark's in the water...our shark...oh wait...sorry...
Seriously i drown them in a bucket of water and it is humane...i put the sack in the water...rock on the sack...no problem 1 minute later they are unconscious...15 minutes later i take them out and skin them...