On 29 Oct 2006 16:39:31 -0800, "Frank" wrote:


wrote:
I've caught a couple and released to park.

What's the best way to handle skunks? We're really after groundhogs and
our greatest fear is trapping a skunk even if it's just to let it go on
the spot, much less to carry anywhere in a vehicle. I know they're
around based on their smell at nights every now and again.

I caught a skunk in a homemade trap. I was after groundhog and was
going to drop off on way to work. Went to work and called Fish and
Game Dept. and they said it was not a game animal and to call an
exterminator. Exterminator wanted $200 (this was several years ago and
would probably be double today). Wife put on rain gear and went out
and opened trap and ran.
Skunk stayed in trap for a while and ambled off and did not spray.
Heard since that they will not spray if confined and best thing to do
is throw a tarp over them and haul them off. Damned if I'd put in the
trunk of my car though
Frank

I caught a skunk two months ago in a trap. It was tearing up my lawn
looking for grubs. Cute little guy. I called the city. The referred me
to the county (Riverside) who has an animal control unit.

Once a skunk is caught in the area it CANNOT be released .. rabies.
This is the law. They sent out a truck with two guys and a supply of
Pentobarbital. They put a tarp over the cage and took the critter to
a vacant lot. There they euthanized him with a syringe loaded with the
Pentobarbital. The syringe was on the end of a long rod. The tarp
remained on the cage and they worked around it VERY carefully.

At no time did the skunk spray. I felt bad that he had to be
euthanized but had no choice in the matter. There was no charge by the
county so I donated $50 to the guys. No, they did not pocket it ..
gave me a receipt and all.

Norm