How do you get a skunk out of a foothold with out

[Aaron Fields]

Just wondering everyones techniques to stay stink free and what are they good for? I don't think they bring much$$ but I could be wrong.

[bobsamuelson]

There may be someone who will disagree with me, but I do not believe there is a way to release a skunk from a foot trap without it spraying. Unless you can get close enough to put something over the skunk, like a 5 gallon bucket, but my experience is they will still spray. They are already stressed to the point of being very defensive and will spray no matter how you try to release them. It is best just to shoot them, leave them for a day or 2 if it sprays. DO NOT shoot in the head! They will spray every time. Use a heart/lung shot as you would with a deer. If it doesn't spray, you can remove from the trap, clean or replace the trap and reset. The Fox & Coyotes will be visiting very soon.

[fisherman]

Very slowly approach the skunk holding an old blanket in front of you. The slower the better. Drape the blanket over the skunk, follow up the chain and compress the springs of the trap releasing the animal.
Now the skunk is loose and you can quickly grab an edge of the blanket and dash far enough away that you can't get sprayed. The skunk will be all off balance as you pull the blanket off and will not spray. If you freeze and do not move it will soon walk away.
I know that it sounds crazy but it does work. I have caught hundreds of nuisance skunks over the years and I don't fear them, but I do respect what they can do. If you are scared of this don't try it. Twice in my life I have released skunks just by talking to them, approaching very slowly without a blanket and was able to release them. Skunks are very inquisitive and unless you startle them you would be surprised how much you can do.

[fisherman]

P.S. Forgot to mention that I have never been sprayed directly by a skunk. I have made a couple of errors removing the essence from dead skunks and making up my fisher lure, and believe me one drop of that stuff can really do a number. I've tried soap, after shave, tomatoe juice, gasoline, and you name it, all of which does NOT work. Only product that I've found that works is called"skunk off" and can be found in stores that sell dog supplies.

[Itrapny]

If you plan on releasing the critter, the blanket deal sounds like it should work. I had a mentor while I was younger that would release skunks by softly talking to them and moving slowly and then he just reached down and let them go. I was never brave enough to try that As Bob stated, a heat/lung shot with a .22 short works well and at 75% of the time they don't spray or if they do, it's very minimal. If you get a permit from the Health Dept to pocess a needle, you can fashion yourself a skunk pole and inject them in the heart/lungs area with acetone which about 99% of the time they won't spray.

[Rick]

They're very docile animals. You can tap out a fox and remake your set with a skunk 10 inches away from you the whole time....but I don't LIKE doing it. Just talk to him and lie to him telling him everything will be O.K. and this stuff you see happening to this fox won't happen to you if you please just be nice.

[Woj]

I personally won't risk it. Back when I used to fish out of Pulaski, we stayed in a campground where a skunk would come around and walk between peoples legs at the campfire. That was a little nerve racking at this.

[Zagman]

unfortunately, skunks are classic chewers in foot grippers.

While I see NO reason to release a skunk during fur season, if you do, make sure he's got all four paws left.

I use a single shot rifle....on front foot caught skunks, I approach them pretty much at normal speed (always in a hurry!) and I squat down close to them. Their tail will be up but dont worry....

Now, no sudden movements at this point.....slow and easy.

With one hand on the cocked rifle, I reach out the gun and let the skunk sniff the barrel end. They always do.....and he will lift his head up to do it.

Now, slowly lower the barrel and put it under his chin. You want to get it righ on his chest. Push the barrel up against him to muffle the blast and pull the trigger.

This heart lung shot often takes only 10 seconds or so for him to expire. He will slump over......tap his back and tail where they meet....if he is alive, the tail will snap up or move.

I have killed 15 skunks this year this way and only 3 have sprayed....so it is not full proof.

Back footed skunks get shot behind the front shoulder like a bow kill shot for deer. If I cannot see that clearly, I shoot in the head and pick it up the next day.

Skunk fur is beautiful.....get some tanned. Or, put up well, they will bring as much as just about any rotten fur this year.

MZ

[traps82]

Nov 15, 2009 18:18:59 GMT -5 Woj said:

I personally won't risk it. Back when I used to fish out of Pulaski, we stayed in a campground where a skunk would come around and walk between peoples legs at the campfire. That was a little nerve racking at this.

Nick which one was that?? I just shot them in the chest, but know I have new ways to try..IF I can keep the possums out!! LOL!!

[flatiron]

Al and Zags are right ,years ago when we didn't have many skunks I let several go w/ the method Al ( fisherman ) described . Skunks eyesight is very poor and sudden movements will put them on guard . when killing for the furshed I always shoot through the lungs and most times w/out any smell.

[Woj]

The campground was Brennan Beach in Pulaski.