Houdini act in my live trap

[whitey]

Peach flavored gummy rings work great. Plus you will avoid any cats.

[wafisherman]

OK, i'll spice things up tonight (sweeten) and see what happens.  The cold snap is over for now and we should be back above freezing tonight.  So maybe that will bring the critter back.  I haven't seen or smelled any skunks in the area, but will be careful since the traps are on the ground...

[Machias]

I did a job in Medical Lake, WA three years ago.  The folks wanted a coon that was going through the dog door on the side of the barn and stealing their dog's food.  They insisted there were no skunks.  I told them, just the same make sure you check the trap before turning the dog loose.  Did they listen, nope and fido ran up to the trap and was nailed square in the face by a very agitated skunk.  Man they were ticked at me, wanted me, the trap and the skunk out of there.  Yes Ma'am, I did try to warm you.  If you are setting your trap on the ground you should go ahead and cover it with a tarp or cardboard.  A skunk may not be your bandit, but trust me, he'll be the first to find your trap.  Oh and skunks love marsh mellows and sweet bait as much as coons do.  I've probably caught 200+ skunks so far on vanilla wafers and marsh mellows.  Better safe than sorry and the coons won't mind the tarp or cardboard.

[wafisherman]

I do have it covered, so may help.  I've had a few close encounters with skunks as a kid, and no what kina punch the can pack.

if I caught one, what would be the best approach for removing it from the trap? 

[Machias]

If your trap is covered you and quietly walk up, pick up the trap up and move it somewhere safe, either walking or in the bed of your truck.  You can then drown it, release and shoot it, or just release it, however the latter is frowned upon by the state as your just giving your problem to someone else.  Best bet is to drown them, no odor and you can skin them and make a very nice tanned fur.

[wafisherman]

If your trap is covered you and quietly walk up, pick up the trap up and move it somewhere safe, either walking or in the bed of your truck.  You can then drown it, release and shoot it, or just release it, however the latter is frowned upon by the state as your just giving your problem to someone else.  Best bet is to drown them, no odor and you can skin them and make a very nice tanned fur.

Is a 22 between the eyes out of the question or would it spray?  Not crazy about shooting it while in the cage, but i've done it before with other critters and have managed to not hit the wire cage...  I guess with a skunk, if I missed the shot (hit the cage), I would risk it freaking out and spraying...  Great, now I guess I'm going to have to raise it off the ground 

[inchtowntracking]

The ones I have shot sprayed.  I hate seeing a skunk in a trap.

[Machias]

Even if they don't spray, usually when they die the relax and release all their musk.  You can keep it on the ground, just cover it.  The few times I set uncovered traps on the ground and caught skunks, I would tie a rope to a sheet and SLOWLY pull it up and over the trap.  Then I could walk up and pick the trap up, if you do it slow enough they will just stamp their feet, but not spray.

[wafisherman]

Quick update - caught something!  Killed instantly in the plastic rat trap.  Nobody guessed this one....





























































.... it was a tiny bird....   

[-Trap_addicT-]

Haha. In one of our ermine boxes, we've got a mouse, a squirrel, a pack rat, and finally a weasel. It's always fun to see what you have. Never caught a bird though..

[wafisherman]

Another stupid little bird today...  Need to move things around a bit.  Will a dead bird attract a raccoon?

[pnwmtnmn]

Yep, but a feral cat or skunk or possum first.