Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667086
11/16/19 01:19 AM
11/16/19 01:19 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,165 Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,165
Eau Claire Wi
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Caught one last year in near 0° weather proceeded to cut myself and sent the carcass into the state for testing. Came back negative. Not saying yours is clean but that's my experience. 30° is a warm up not a cold snap lol
Tip #1 don't cut the glands.
Tip #2 Watch a few YouTube videos it's pretty easy.
Tip #3 if you are going to save the essence harvest it after skinning.
Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667095
11/16/19 02:27 AM
11/16/19 02:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366 New York border
Cragar
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366
New York border
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Few skunks have rabies. The ones that get it die.
People will tell you if the skunk is out during the day it's rabid. Not true. They will come out during the day now then when perfectly healthy. Seeing them in the cold , normal. Seeing them in crazy cold weather rare, they tend to hole up somewhere but can be seen and healthy.
Rabies in skunks , bats etc is not common , yes , it does happen but not common as the media ,the public and other bits of news make you think there is an epidemic. Way overblown.
If it was a real epidemic your health department and fish&game agencies would make sure the news gets out. This does happen in small pockets here and there with maybe 5-10 or even as many as 50 in extreme cases. It runs it course quick , and the mini-epidemic is over. Sometimes you will see waves of mini-epidemics cross an entire state or region but health department and fish & game would putting out the word.
Most of this is just fear. Be careful , but not over the top. I've handled 100's of skunks (live) less than 1% appear to be rabid. Even the ones that appear to be rabid, could just as easily have distemper as it appears to have the same symptoms as the disease is in it's end stages.
Use GOOD practices when handling any animal. They can carry a host of other diseases. Enough can't be said wearing appropriate PPE and using safe methods and procedures. Keeping your work area and tools clean is a must. Heck , cutting up raw chicken in the kitchen is almost as dangerous as skinning animals if done incorrectly.
One more thing. A lot of viral type stuff dies quickly after the host animal dies and cools down. Warm and alive animals are far more capable of transmitting diseases.
NRA benefactor member
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667196
11/16/19 09:25 AM
11/16/19 09:25 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947 South metro, MN
Calvin
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
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I watched a documentary years ago on skunks and they also said 90% carry the rabies virus and can live with it.
I like catching skunks and handling them. So I went and got my rabies vaccination shots. It was covered 100% by my insurance. Just a thought.
We can argue numbers and percentages here all day...I personally don't care who's correct anymore as I keep up on my shots.
And for those who go to the Doc asking for a set of rabies vaccinations and they say "they don't make them for humans" (Has happened). The CDC has a flyer out explaining it in detail. NOT all clinics carry the vaccination. Best to contact your provider and let them set you up with someone who has it and is familiar. Just what I've found.
To each his own.
Last edited by Calvin; 11/16/19 09:30 AM.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667362
11/16/19 02:23 PM
11/16/19 02:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
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I just got back from tn neighbors with a skunk call. It's 40 degrees out and it was in his hay shed just laying there. I walked right up it it but it seemed groggy and didn't put up a fuss as I injected it. Never had that happen before and thought it may have distemper or something but took the same precautions as I would with any other skunk. Makes a guy think a bit after this.
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667413
11/16/19 03:57 PM
11/16/19 03:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960 Northern Nevada
Bob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
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I think that people who are exposed to as much blood and fluids from rabies carrying critters as we are should get the rabies vaccine. There is a preemptive vaccine that will protect you if you’re exposed in the future, that along with gloves and other precautions should put your mind at ease.
"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667427
11/16/19 04:12 PM
11/16/19 04:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,966 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,966
St. Louis Co, Mo
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Veterans can get the pre-exposure series of Rabies shots at any VAMC, you may have to argue a bit and or see the patients advocate. Tell them you handle wild animals and NEED the shots.
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667436
11/16/19 04:31 PM
11/16/19 04:31 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 361 NORTH DAKOTA
Duckstick80
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 361
NORTH DAKOTA
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I rinsed hide in deep we’ll sink and am gonna let it dry and then freeze. I’ll unthaw later this winter and flesh and board. Do I need to take same precautions then or is just hide nothing to worry about? Freezing doesn't kill rabies it preserves it.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Duckstick80]
#6667515
11/16/19 06:38 PM
11/16/19 06:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120 Manitoba
Northof50
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
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I rinsed hide in deep we’ll sink and am gonna let it dry and then freeze. I’ll unthaw later this winter and flesh and board. Do I need to take same precautions then or is just hide nothing to worry about? Freezing doesn't kill rabies it preserves it. True fact above. Chlorine bleach at least 10% for anything the animal or hide touched. Chill the hide 25f and scrape it clean, the fat rolls off easy when you do it now and no freezer burn to deal with. That is a good pattern on the skunk pelage.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667570
11/16/19 07:56 PM
11/16/19 07:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761 Central, SD
Law Dog
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
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Several years ago we had skunks on top of skunks here catching 9 or more out of the same cage was not uncommon, most adults and big ones. I called the State Vet and this is what I got from her.
Yes a high percentage do carry the virus she said 70% BUT only a small number will have the ACTIVE virus over time. What kills the virus is UV light (sunlight) and dehydration, the virus needs moisture. The virus lives in the brain and the brainstem area. Saliva, brain matter and the fluid in the brainstem needs to be avoided.
I always wear latex gloves with the skulls when I remove them, then they are put on a shelf overnight so they sit in the sun during the day and dry out while on the shelf for 24 hours.
Never shoot a skunk in the head all your doing is talking a chance of it spreading any virus all over the area and it's surely spraying from a hit to the head or spine it's just automatic then it seems like.
I have caught and seen skunks in all kinds of temps and weather conditions I have caught them in blizzards your buddy is just talking about what he no clue of what he's talking about. LOL Skunks move in the daylight it's just a scare tactic (old tale) from years past that it must be rabid.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6667598
11/16/19 08:17 PM
11/16/19 08:17 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,306 Maine
Jonnytrapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,306
Maine
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I put the jar inside a freezer bag and set that inside a little shack behind the shop where I store spare parts. The bag wont do squat. Go to the hardware store and buy an empty paint can to put the jar in. Works great. And trust me no need to label that jar.
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Re: Skunks and rabies?
[Re: ]
#6667973
11/17/19 08:35 AM
11/17/19 08:35 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947 South metro, MN
Calvin
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
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Your going to have to store your jar of essence in side of a sealed bucket or your going to smell it . And waste it? We are trappers and suppose to love the smell of skunk.
Last edited by Calvin; 11/17/19 08:35 AM.
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