There's a skunk somewhere in the neighbourhood, scenting up the place every few days.

Not sure where it is, but would like to catch it.

Are skunks the type of animal that will seek out something it smells, or are they a little lazy an opportunistic and need a trap set in their path?

Is fish/chicken the best bet? Marshmallows? Bananas?

They will seek out food and lures. They are opportunistic.
Bananas wouldn't be my bait of choice.
They'd like fish & chicken.

Everything you typed "should" work. I would smear some type of edible bait or lure on the mallows if I were using them, but that's just me. You wont beat a cam and test site area with your target animal when it comes to finding something that gets to their soul. They are not hard to attract if they are in the area. Little post in the ground and dab a call agent on the top they will venture over to it if they are there.

If the wind is right, the skunk smell can drift 1/2 mile or more.

Skunks are omnivores, but more prone to meat, than vegetables.

The problem is, if you throw in a non selective bait, you will get everything that walks by. Skunks, opossum, cats, etc.

Marshmallows lathered in some grape jelly have been known to attract skunk.

My number one Skunk bait is banana LOL

Cheesiest and pork rinds

When trappers talk about bait and lures for coyotes, it does nothing for my appetite, but start talking about what works for raccoons and other little critters....

I bought candy orange slices for my DP's once--only a few of them made it to the trap. I use cat food now and have lots of it--I'm never that hungry.

But ever since the skunk showed up, I haven't seen the neighborhood cats much, but I'm using cages, so even if I caught one, no big deal.

Will put some sardines out and see what shows up.

I had a cat get sprayed once, but the skunk made it into the garage.

Hope you get 'em.

Touché!

Even better when they talk about bait and lures they recommend but don't use themselves. There are lots of things that will attract animals, the real question is does the individual have the ability to trap the animal? That part seems to be the issue when it comes to bait and lure. Those bottles that sit on a shelf with a stink to'em are made for convenience not because bait and lure are impossible to produce. Even the "proven" which is a loose word bait and lure could be a "not so great" scent.

Satisfying when you make something and produce the results you want.

I used rendered down grubs with just a touch of glycerin and it worked pretty good. Of course I was setting where the skunks were so the scent didn't have to call them from far away.

Interesting to know.

I've caught 10 skunks in last month. Mostly use Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches. Grape or Orange Marmalade. I make sandwiches up ahead of time and freeze them in individual bags. I tear it up in small pieces. Trail mix works good too, with Sunflower & Safflower Seeds, Nuts and dried fruit. I prefer dried Cranberries in mix. Catch Coons, woodchucks on that also. Was trying to avoid skunks and used DP with just Marshmallows and caught big skunk in it. I prefer baits that don't rot in warm weather. Good trapping

Best way is to hide behind a tree and sound like a skunk of the opposite sex. LOL

I use Yellow Stripe trailing lure , a banana flavored lure. You can run multiple trails in different directions from the trap and bring them in from a long way off. I bait the trap with peanut butter and cheez it crackers.

There is not A skunk in your neighborhood. There are several. They are moving as it is the season, and they fight with each other and with pets like cats and dogs over food.

There is your answer in a fish flavored dry cat food, as it is convenient, will still have a fish order if it rains, and cats that get caught learn to stay out of live traps.
Skunk are like all humans in lazy and will seek out food, depending on their mood.

You are right. Word has it that there is a family, and from the size of the critter I caught, it wasn't momma. One was seen tangling with a neighborhood cat, and miraculously, didn't get sprayed although I would have liked that particular cat to get sprayed. When it see's you, it meows its sad story so you'll pet or feed it then will go out and beat up all the other neighborhood cats. No sympathy for that cat (although it is the owner's fault....).

Last couple of days, sardines only attracted Bully Cat. Will try something sweeter.

I take it you've already created an instruction Youtube video? The link?.

No YouTube video. Selling DVD. LOL

Dont forget it's even better if you smell like the opposite sex while u hide behind the tree

Check this out. This skunk incident was on the news tonight. Evidently skunks like yogurt.

https://www.weau.com/content/news/S...-freed-it-from-yogurt-cup-557782591.html

Update:

In tube #1: nothing except the neighborhood cat has eaten the cat food, and in tube #2, no creature has shown interested in the banana.

Haven't smelled anything since, neighbors haven't said they've seen or smelled since, so I am going to assume that they've moved on in one way or another.

Thanks again for all tips/help/info.