How do you get rid of a skunk in a live trap?

Question

I've been setting my live trap to catch racoons each night, with some success. This morning I wake up to....a skunk. c**p! Other than a .22 shell, is there a way to open the trap without getting sprayed? It already stinks! I hope that a .22 shell isn't the only answer.

Answer 1

Cover the trap with a towel then lift the door to let it out. As long as you aren't antagonizing the animal, it won't spray you.

Answer 2

ahhhhhhhhhhh, this one I have never even thought about!  A SKUNK!  Wow.  I've never even seen a live one around here until this year.  Some of those live traps are a little tricky to open too.  Why have you been catching raccoons?  I have a friend that swears that the skunks around his house are killing his chickens.  They will make a mess in the garbage too.  If you are getting rid of the raccoons because of these reasons, the skunk may be working in cahoots with them.  You may have to kill it.  That kind of defeats the purpose of a "have a heart" trap, doesn't it.  Personally, I wouldn't trust a sheet of plastic, towel, or my ability to keep a skunk calm so that he wouldn't spray me.  I know I don't trust my ability to out run the little rascal.  Think about it, if he has been in there all night, he ain't gonna be calm until he gets out and you are several times bigger than he is.  Good luck.  Have a friend video tape the release.  You could use the $10,000 from Funniest Home Video to buy tomato juice and vinegar.

Answer 3

get a big pvc tarp and throw it over the trap then use the tarp to drag it away fromthe house and release it but if you don't want it to come back use a .22 because the great orned owl is the skunks only natural predator unless you gt one of those

Answer 4

Cover the trap with a plastic sheet, and open the door.

Then run like h**l.

Answer 5

This is one suggestion, but you have already heard it, cover the cage then release it.  They also suggest hauling it far away from your house before you release it.  This site has recommendations about 1/2 way down the page:

http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-c...

Just in case, I am including the link to get rid of the smell:

http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/odor-r...

They recommend a Peroxide/baking soda bath or an orange bath.

Answer 6

call a local animal control or wildlife service.  Perhaps they can tranquilize the animal for removal.  It just depends on how much trouble you want to go to!

Answer 7

i dont know i just wanted to wish you luck

Answer 8

The best answer is to cover the trap with an old blanket or towel . Open the door and it will leave without spraying. If you don't stick around.It will come out of trap.