What to do when you trap a skunk
By savypat
@savypat (20216)
United States
July 27, 2010 11:38am CST
We that been traping raccoons and relocating them. So a couple of days ago Hubby said what are you going to do if you trap a sknuk? I said run, but then we started to think about it. We attached a long rope to the cage so that we could move it without getting to close, I don't know where we were going to move it to, but now we could do it. WELL last night we caught a skunk, OH God! what do we do now? Shoot it? No it will smell before it dies. drag it into the creek and let it drown?
No poor thing did nothing wrong, it need to live. Finally my daughter found an old bed sheet and through it over the cage so the skunk couldn't see us, then she undid the cage and we both left the scene. Went in the house and watched what happened, it took about the count of ten and it was free an on it's way. A skunk never hurries, it puts it's tail up and walks with dignity. Wonder what we will trap tonight? All this just to save the chickens.
3 people like this
8 responses
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
hi pat,
never seen a skunk in real. if the smell is so horrible .. a reason why everybody runs away from it.. surely there is some shield that could be used so that it doesnt spray on you. (well, am not sure there is).
would the smell really make you sick as in bed ridden sick?
am just curious.
ann
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
28 Jul 10
A skunk smells terrible when it just walks past the window, but I have never heard of one making you sick enough to go to bed. If you get sprayed it may make you throw up and it is very difficult to get ride of the smell, you have to throw cloths and shoes away, because no matter what you use they will always retain a small skunk smell.
@spazzy13068 (13)
• United States
27 Jul 10
Good response to your skunk situation! When we were children my parents had a cottage on the lake. We always used to keep the door opened and no screen attached. One night a skunk got in and woke us up as is was going through the trash! Dad wanted to throw the cat on it! Instead, we choose to let it be and all be quiet. Fortunately this worked! The skunk went away! We never kept the garbage in the house after that AND we Always kept the door shut at night!! Thanks for sharing!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
27 Jul 10
Skunks eat so many bugs and stuff, too bad they have the odor issue. Are you perhaps going to catch a possum tonight? They do not seem to scare easily and they just always seem to make themselves at home at my place.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Jul 10
I'm so happy to hear that you didn't take the skunk to the river and let it drown. Heck, I'm not at all a fan of skunks, but they didn't do anything that would really justify us killing them. Before I had read the entire discussion, I was going to suggest that you cover the cage and try to rehome the skunk, but since you covered it and let it go, I think that you did a very fine thing. I just hope you don't catch him again.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
28 Jul 10
Wow, I have never smelt a skunk’s spray and I don’t fancy the idea! It sounds as though you handled the situation really well without hurting the animals or yourselves. I too wonder what you’re going to catch next! Ah, life in the country, always fun right? Hard work too I bet!
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
4 Aug 10
Hi savypat
I have never seen a skunk, probably we don't have any in my place, more over you say it sprays some smelly liquid, is this a pet in your place? Just want to know..
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always. 
Cheers.
Professor
Cheers.
Professor
@savypat (20216)
• United States
4 Aug 10
No pet here, they are wild and they love chicken eggs. We always know when they are around because the smell is so bad, even if they haven't sprayed. If your dog gets sprayed it takes weeks to get rid of it. There are all kinds of things to bath them in but that just helps some, their coats still smell and if thy had a collar on you just have to trow it away.
