it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

That info ought to be out there some where. Try a web search.

The recent wisdom is that tomato juice is old technology. Now, we use
baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Mixed at the moment of use, the
mixture releases oxygen. Which helps break down the skunk spray.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"cj" wrote in message
...
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife
is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking
of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk
will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough
so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to
minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

On Nov 3, 8:03*am, cj wrote:
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
* the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj


I would certainly try throwing a bunch of moth balls under the deck
first. I think Bultaco is right about that.

"cj" wrote in message
...
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

Just saw an episode of "Dirty Jobs" about skunk trapping. Don't count on
any trap big enough to catch a skunk being small enough to restrict its
motions enough to keep from spraying. They used fairly conventional sized
traps and the skunks were easily able to spray through it. You'll need
something like an old towel you can throw away to cover the trap after they
are caught.

You'll need to screen out the area they are using as a den to prevent their
re-entry unless you relocate them far enough away to prevent their return.
If you do relocate them, place the trap into TWO large plastic garbage bags
to protect your car or transport vehicle.

There's a product called "skunk off" that they used on the show, but home
made remedies like baking soda (to neutralize the sulfuric acid carrier of
the spray) and a newly opened bottle of hydrogen peroxide (it goes bad and
loses its oxygenating properties soon after opening) have replaced tomato
juice as the neutralizer of choice. I'd wear either a Tyvek disposable jump
suit or old, disposable clothing that fully covers your arms and legs when
attempting to move the trap or even when approaching it. Skunks can spray
repeatedly when agitated.

The trappers in California simply released the skunk on the same property
after repairs were made to damaged crawl space screens (where the skunk
headed straight for upon release). It must have happened often at that
particular house because the skunks stayed patiently in their traps,
awaiting release and not spraying once. They seemed quite used to the
procedure.

Not being a Californian, I wouldn't even think of releasing the critter back
in my yard again. Even though they are quite beneficial creatures, one
encounter with a neighborhood dog or cat can stink up your house but good,
and for a long time. When we lived in Rhode Island, every rainy or humid
day would reactivate the stink of the dozens of spray stains that came from
various skunk and dog encounters. If the spray gets into porous wood, it
stays and stays.

--
Bobby G.

cj wrote:
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
....

No, if you can shoot straight...however, it's probably not feasible in a
neighborhood to bring out the ammo...

On the farm remote from neighbors (and careful regarding where cattle
are, etc.) I plunk 'em when they're too close to the house or getting
into barn, etc.,(+) regularly. As long as get clean kill I've never had
one release.

Cousin took the 12-ga to one once't upon a time however, at too close a
range and created havoc...Dad was _NOT_ pleased.

(+) They're nocturnal as noted elsewhere and about as destructive of
feed or grain sacks, etc., as raccoons--if get started they'll never let
anything alone.

--

On 11/3/2010 9:03 AM, cj wrote:
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

Skunks won't spray if confined in live trap. I've caught a couple
trying to get groundhogs and let them go without incident. If you
transport to remote spot to release, I would only trust the open back of
a pickup with trap covered.

Repelling from nesting under your deck is best start as skunks are not
that pesky.

In article ,
cj wrote:

it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I've had skunks living under my deck for 15 years. They wander in the
house sometimes when the screen door is open, to chow down on the cat
food. Never been any problem. People who are afraid of animals should
move to an apartment in the city.

Smitty Two wrote the following:
In article ,
cj wrote:


it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj


I've had skunks living under my deck for 15 years. They wander in the
house sometimes when the screen door is open, to chow down on the cat
food. Never been any problem. People who are afraid of animals should
move to an apartment in the city.


But there, some two legged animals are vicious and they carry guns!

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

"Robert Green" wrote:
-snip-

Just saw an episode of "Dirty Jobs" about skunk trapping. Don't count on
any trap big enough to catch a skunk being small enough to restrict its
motions enough to keep from spraying. They used fairly conventional sized
traps and the skunks were easily able to spray through it. You'll need
something like an old towel you can throw away to cover the trap after they
are caught.

I've trapped critters off and on for 50+ years. Until last summer
I counted myself fortunate because I'd never caught a skunk.

I caught 2 in 2 nights in a big roomy box trap that I'd set for a
woodchuck. I wasn't all that eager to put theory into practice- but
grabbed a blanket from the garage and approached the trap with great
caution. I've never seen an animal so nonchalant about being
trapped. Both of them seemed content to reach outside the trap &
pull clumps of sod into the trap to make a 'nest'.

I propped the door open and I had my camera ready to 'capture' the
hasty escape. Glad I had the camera on a tripod with the motion
detection set. Neither exited the trap for several hours after I'd
gone inside the house. And neither made a hasty retreat.

-snip-

The trappers in California simply released the skunk on the same property
after repairs were made to damaged crawl space screens (where the skunk
headed straight for upon release). It must have happened often at that
particular house because the skunks stayed patiently in their traps,
awaiting release and not spraying once. They seemed quite used to the
procedure.

Seems to be the nature of the beast. I doubt these boys had been
trapped before-- my neighbor prefers conibears.


Not being a Californian, I wouldn't even think of releasing the critter back
in my yard again.

I didn't think there were any skunks around until my neighbor got one
I the conibear- then I trapped these 2. [Different colorations so I
know it wasn't the same guy twice.]

I prefer them to squirrels.

Jim

On Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:07:04 -0400, cj wrote:

my lawn is being dug up, wasn't sure if it was a skunk or what. think
i'll try the mothball method(do they work on groundhogs as well?)i also
have a male cat that would lose his mind if he weren't let out for the
night and he being as curious as the rest i often worry about him gettin
to close to the skunk

do mothballs lose their potency?
thanks for the advice

cj

Not mentioned yet, is the possibility of the skunk having rabies. Just
sayin'.

Billy the Exterminator on A&E uses a live trap method with a can of
cat food. Even in traps they spray him. He states that a rabid skink
is more likely to spray.

cj wrote:
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I shot three of them last year with a 22. They do not spray all over the
place. They just thrash around a little and die by morning. Hardly no
smell at all.
I hang them in a tree to scare away others. I have not had any at all
this year. Good sign.
Just don't shoot them in the stink sack.

--
LSMFT

Simple job, assist the assistant of the physicist.

On Wed, 3 Nov 2010 10:01:19 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

That info ought to be out there some where. Try a web search.

The recent wisdom is that tomato juice is old technology. Now, we use
baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Mixed at the moment of use, the
mixture releases oxygen. Which helps break down the skunk spray.
OxyClean preparations do the same job- with no mixing required.

In article ,
cj wrote:

i also
have a male cat that would lose his mind if he weren't let out for the
night and he being as curious as the rest i often worry about him gettin
to close to the skunk

Every cat I've ever owned, and it's been many, has been smart enough not
to harass a skunk. Dogs, uh, well, that's one reason I don't have dogs.

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
"Robert Green" wrote:
-snip-

Just saw an episode of "Dirty Jobs" about skunk trapping. Don't count on
any trap big enough to catch a skunk being small enough to restrict its
motions enough to keep from spraying. They used fairly conventional
sized
traps and the skunks were easily able to spray through it. You'll need
something like an old towel you can throw away to cover the trap after
they
are caught.

I've trapped critters off and on for 50+ years. Until last summer
I counted myself fortunate because I'd never caught a skunk.

Ol' Trapper Jim! I'll bet that you've picked up plenty of tricks going at
it for so long. I know that I've gone from maybe getting 1 in 4 actual
trappings, I get them first time, every time. Peanut butter wired to a
pudding cup just beyond the treadle (I use a two door unit with only one
door set) and a free sample in a similar pudding cup just outside the trap.
Once they've had a taste and know the cup inside the trap has the same tasty
treat, in they go. The wary ones will do quite a dance around the trap
before going in but they rarely run off after eating the bait outside the
trap. I've got a CCTV cam on the porch and a motion detector aimed at the
trap to monitor the trap so they don't stay in it too long. We have a
problem because three neighbors have bird feeders that also support a large
squirrel population.

I caught 2 in 2 nights in a big roomy box trap that I'd set for a
woodchuck.

I've apparently got a very smart woodchuck. I see him near the backyard
shed, but never in the trap. I doubt he actually ever comes up on the
porch, though.

I wasn't all that eager to put theory into practice- but
grabbed a blanket from the garage and approached the trap with great
caution. I've never seen an animal so nonchalant about being
trapped.

Well, season 6 of Dirty Jobs has a skunk who just wouldn't QUIT spraying.
I'll bet it's like dogs - the breeding males are the most aggressive of the
lot. I'll have to check because I recall the trapper saying that raccoons
are carriers of human tuberculosis (as they were removing the jellied
remains of a dead one from a crawl space).

Both of them seemed content to reach outside the trap &
pull clumps of sod into the trap to make a 'nest'.

Which reminds me that the trapper said (and I know from bad experience) that
with some critters, especially raccoons and squirrels, putting your fingers
or any part of yourself near the cage can be risky as there are many that
reach through the rather large cage holes in order to snare something to
bite. Squirrels have long, curved incissors that can deliver an incredibly
deep bite. Some just sit in the trap, some rocket back and forth trying to
get out by acheiving "lasing" it seems. The agitated ones can rock a trap
clear off the porch.

I propped the door open and I had my camera ready to 'capture' the
hasty escape. Glad I had the camera on a tripod with the motion
detection set. Neither exited the trap for several hours after I'd
gone inside the house. And neither made a hasty retreat.

I have to push possums out of traps built for smaller squirrels. They sit
in them for hours, with their raggedy fur forced out of all the holes
because they've squeezed themselves in so tight, and hang on even with the
trap upside down. I have to open the other end and poke them out with a
broom. Possums emit a greenish goo when you poke them that while nowhere
near as bad as skunks, has some considerable staying power.

I doubt these boys had been
trapped before-- my neighbor prefers conibears.

WTF is a conibear? I googled it but I am not sure whether it's a trap or an
animal! Looks like what the oldtimers call a "coon cuff."

I've trapped a lot of squirrels. They have quite a range of personalities.
Some are incredibly vocal, some don't make a sound. I also learned that
it's probably best to let them out of the trap using a piece of twine to
pull it open from a distance. One squirrel, instead of making for the
obvious open field, turned right around, ran up my pants leg, by back and
jumped off my head. All so fast I didn't even realize it had happened until
it was over. Gotta respect their acrobatic ability. It's very impressive.
And a little creepy.

Not being a Californian, I wouldn't even think of releasing the critter
back
in my yard again.

I didn't think there were any skunks around until my neighbor got one
I the conibear- then I trapped these 2. [Different colorations so I
know it wasn't the same guy twice.]

I prefer them to squirrels.

A long while back, I was on my way to Monterey, CA on a business trip. I
had the front door and screen door propped open because I was loading up the
car with luggage. During those brief moments, a squirrel got into the house
and spent over a week locked up in it. The cleanup (still ongoing) cost
several thousand dollars. I wouldn't have believed anyone if they told me
how destructive one trapped 10 pound squirrel could be until I saw it. Wood
around every window thoroughly chewed. Poop pellets and whiz everywhere.
Everything on the top shelves was thrown to the ground. Food pantry
obliterated. Some people think squirrels are cute and cuddly. I know
better. They are rats with a tail and an agenda.

--
Bobby G.

"LSMFT" wrote in message
...
cj wrote:
it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife is
freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm thinking of
shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will
still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough so
that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail to
spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to minimize
the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I shot three of them last year with a 22. They do not spray all over the
place. They just thrash around a little and die by morning. Hardly no
smell at all.
I hang them in a tree to scare away others. I have not had any at all
this year. Good sign.
Just don't shoot them in the stink sack.

Sounds like a scene from Spartacus! From what I saw (skunks nesting in a
crawl spaces near another dead and rotting skunk) they may not be easily
convinced to stay away by seeing other dead skunks. Hell, they might even
*like* the stink.

--
Bobby G.

On 11/3/2010 10:37 AM, willshak wrote:
Smitty Two wrote the following:
In article ,
cj wrote:

it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife
is freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm
thinking of shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead
the skunk will still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough
so that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail
to spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to
minimize the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I've had skunks living under my deck for 15 years. They wander in the
house sometimes when the screen door is open, to chow down on the cat
food. Never been any problem. People who are afraid of animals should
move to an apartment in the city.

But there, some two legged animals are vicious and they carry guns!


I just had an idea,... "Watch Skunks" someone trespasses or breaks in
to your home and the watch skunk blasts them. It would make it easy to
find the burglar. Be on the look, I mean smell out for a suspected
burglar. 8-)

TDD

"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message
...
On 11/3/2010 10:37 AM, willshak wrote:
Smitty Two wrote the following:
In article ,
cj wrote:

it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife
is freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm
thinking of shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead
the skunk will still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough
so that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail
to spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to
minimize the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I've had skunks living under my deck for 15 years. They wander in the
house sometimes when the screen door is open, to chow down on the cat
food. Never been any problem. People who are afraid of animals should
move to an apartment in the city.

But there, some two legged animals are vicious and they carry guns!


I just had an idea,... "Watch Skunks" someone trespasses or breaks in
to your home and the watch skunk blasts them. It would make it easy to
find the burglar. Be on the look, I mean smell out for a suspected
burglar. 8-)


Maybe it could replace the teargas in anti-bank robbery exploding dye packs.
Once I upon a time I saw them for sale on the net, but perhaps the feds
cracked down on them. Great for detecting thieving neighbors. A little
pricey as I recall. Do they make paintball grenades?

--
Bobby G.

On 11/4/2010 1:59 AM, Robert Green wrote:
"The Daring wrote in message
...
On 11/3/2010 10:37 AM, willshak wrote:
Smitty Two wrote the following:
In ,
wrote:

it would appear that a skunk has moved in under our deck and the wife
is freaked out about it. we see him or her at night and and i'm
thinking of shooting it but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead
the skunk will still spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?
another neighbor suggested i get a live trap that is not tall enough
so that if a skunk gets trapped it will not be able to lift its tail
to spray. finally, if the skunk does spray is there a good way to
minimize the stench? (tomato juice)
thanks, cj

I've had skunks living under my deck for 15 years. They wander in the
house sometimes when the screen door is open, to chow down on the cat
food. Never been any problem. People who are afraid of animals should
move to an apartment in the city.

But there, some two legged animals are vicious and they carry guns!


I just had an idea,... "Watch Skunks" someone trespasses or breaks in
to your home and the watch skunk blasts them. It would make it easy to
find the burglar. Be on the look, I mean smell out for a suspected
burglar. 8-)


Maybe it could replace the teargas in anti-bank robbery exploding dye packs.
Once I upon a time I saw them for sale on the net, but perhaps the feds
cracked down on them. Great for detecting thieving neighbors. A little
pricey as I recall. Do they make paintball grenades?

--
Bobby G.



I remember seeing pepper spray grenades and pepper spray booby traps for
protecting remote properties. I read about a fellow who installed one of
the OC booby traps in his rented storage unit that dosed a deputy
sheriff who broke in to search it. The Taser booby trap is next I
suppose. 8-)

TDD

"Robert Green" wrote:

-snip-

I doubt these boys had been
trapped before-- my neighbor prefers conibears.

WTF is a conibear? I googled it but I am not sure whether it's a trap or an
animal! Looks like what the oldtimers call a "coon cuff."

Never heard of 'coon cuff' - but googled it- interesting idea. looks
like it keeps coons from chewing their leg off.

Conibears are square 'killing' traps. Good pictures and how to get
a critter out of one are on this page. If you have dogs that go in
the woods it could save your dog's life to know how to open one.
http://www.terrierman.com/traprelease.htm


Jim

"cj" wrote in message
...

. . . but my neighbor says that if i shoot it dead the skunk will still
spray due to a natural reflex...is this true?

Never here (3 or 4 times 1980-2000) using a .22 rifle (head shot.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)