What are the pros and cons of different live traps for skunks that minimize or eliminate the possibility of spray discharge? I've looked at Plastic catch and tube traps. Do their internal parts get damaged with each catch? I expect to "live release" with firearm followup.
Thanks, Ole

Just a regular old safe guard works fine for me. Never had one spray, just take your time and then if you need opossum traps or cat traps you got em and dont have a bunch of specialty traps plugging up your truck bed. I will say the 12x12x36 coon cages are too big and you will want to get the 1/2x1 proffessionals if you dont want the traps full of the customers yard or use plywood or hardware cloth on the bottom. I think the ones I use are 8x8x24 not positive. Just cover the cages after a catch with a sheet and at the release point open the door andhold it open with a bungee and wait they will come out. I have done this countless times and have only ever had one skunk come running out as soon as the door opened, most of the time it takes 1 to 3 minutes. But on the plus side if the homeowner has a little yappin dog or a mean old tom cat nobody will get sprayed but I just make it a point to tell the customer about that and when they sign the service agreement its up to them. Im off the hook.

well skunks will take a lot befor they spray. the video is of me and my son.

I gotta go along with Travis on this one. That Safeguard ( I think it's actually 7x8x24) is my favorite skunk trap also. It's great for opossum and takes it's share of raccoon, although that's not what it's set for. I like something like the 9x9x26 for cats though.

I catch bunches of skunks in my big raccoon size traps. Never had a problem with refusal. I also never cover my traps unless it is going to rain or when I am moving a skunk. Guess we all have our prefered methods.

Im sure not saying you cannot catch skunks in a coon cage just as easily, skunks are not the wiliest of adversarys you can get them in almost anything. I just dont like for them to have that much room to move around in. I sure dont want to catch them in coon cages with 1x1 wire and nothing under the trap, I have had the pleasure of carrying a skunk with about 50lbs. of mulch in the trap to the truck and thats no fun lol.

Minnesota Trapline has special tube live traps for skunks.

For one I am confused as to why Peskpaws let the skunk go????


Two......why a person would not want to "grab and go" when picking up a trapped skunk???

Tom, im not saying I have never been sprayed just not by one in a cage. But I sure dont think im invinsable, I know one day when I am in a hurry and get too lax I will get it. Im just not looking forward to living in the garage for a couple weeks lol. You know my wife!

Two......why a person would not want to "grab and go" when picking up a trapped skunk???

Vinke. What do you mean "grab and go".
Do you use tube traps?
Don't those tube traps broil a skunk on a hot day?

I mean walk up..... tap on the trap....Tell them good morning and walk it to the truck.............

I use 11x12 and 9x9 covered.....

Who makes your 9x9 traps?

I do.............

Well where was it when I needed it? Ha!

1. to show that it can be done.
2.too show how much they will take and not spry. but every one is different
3.to remove the skunk from the property the land owner doesn't want it there or why are you there to begin with lol.

I want to see a picture like this one...........


(LT GREY).........

Vinke-

Can you post a picture of the one that didn't work quite as well?

better not get sprayed vinke

LOL...... I did some video this winter...When I did not cover the traps or the skunk had the bag in the trap by the time i arrived.
Or a youngen..$
Sometime i don't cover the trap....and i do not own any "skunk specific" traps.....
I am always kicking myself`for not being able to "Grab and Go"

I give credit to Lt grey for showing me that skunks are my friend..Even though he got sprayed more then me....lol...

That is the one I want to see!!!!

this is a real question not a smart remark, so be easy on me. I am a part timer (legal tho, insured and everything) and i virtually always know what job i am dealing with. I mostly load my truck after a call to do the job. I have only used the tube traps and have had a lot of success with them. My question, am i at a disadvatage as far as actually catching skunks by using only tube traps. Do they sometimes refuse them or something. I understand the economics of using the cage trap just wondering about catching skunks, period.

critrgetr-
I don't want to limit myself to only one type of trap or setup for any animal. Each situation dictates which type of trap or setup I use. I use a different setup for skunks searching for grubs in a yard than I do for skunks under a building. Mom with kittens are handled differently than solitary skunks. We have very few skunks around here, so don't claim to know a lot about them. I don't even own a skunk "tube trap". But I do plan to get a few. The few skunk calls that I receive are usually set up with covered cage traps or plasti-catch traps.

thanks LA

I like the larger cage trap because you can catch more than one skunk in them at a time. When I take on a job I am on a time schedual. I need to get them just as fast as I can.

I like the plastic catch cause it seems more professional to the customer. It protects them from their fear (pets, children getting sprayed.)I can sell more skunk jobs in this day and age of competition by addressing the customers fears. It's not about me as a trapper and what kind of trap I like for this or that. It's always about the customer. Just my opinion.
By the way, I have not experienced much refusal with the plastic catch traps. I use BJ's secret skunk bait.

Yes.... time is money, but if effectiveness is the goal, 6 to 8 traps is common when I'm setting up for skunks. A double or triple (same trap) is not in the "plan".... I even rig multiple traps on posi-sets.

"I mean walk up..... tap on the trap....Tell them good morning and walk it to the truck.............

I use 11x12 and 9x9 covered....."

Sorry for being such a dolt but I don't know squat about live trapping. When you say covered trap,
1. Are you buying a live trap that has a covering or
2. Are you putting a covering of some sort on the live trap to be used for skunks?

thank you

God Bless

Scott

Ron. I set multipal traps also. Skunks are tough to get into a trap when they are just wondering or grubbing. You have to have the trap were they are which always seems to be a different spot every night.

Mac. covered means placing a tarp, towel, sheet or other like material over the trap.

Mac, in our case we have a permanent covering on the back half of the trap. This turns all our cages into a semi-plastic catch.

I use an 8X8 plain 1X1 cage trap for skunks, never had any problem.

I have also never lost or gained a customer because of the type of skunk trap used. Never have had anyone ask before i was setting up the job. I do like to cover them with corregated plastic (you can get plenty of this during an elections year for free!)

I do however think that I might be spray proof. Ten years and not a shot is a pretty good run. Besides I like the smell. Doesn't mean the like my driving or that i do not get it on me from time to time.

Sometime I will have to tell you about the History teacher from the Wizards of Waverly place on the Disney channel, a CrackerBarrel resturant, sitting next to the fireplace hearth and the whole place smelling like skunk, meanwhile smiling like a possum.

Hey LT, I think I found Barkstone!

You guys are just out of the loop.... I've been sending him work and he's been reciprocating. Nice to be busy!

I am not hard to find.... my phone number is floating around somewhere...