What's your opinion on skunk bg traps. Was wanting a dz pretty much strictly for skunks, primarily used in some type of cubby w/ bait.

Sauvageau 2001-5.

Never used the Sauvageau but a strong 120 sized trap with a Belisle dog kills them quick.

Any 160 or 220 that closes tight. 120s work but the larger traps get less refusals. Closing tight is important as skunk necks are thin and BG traps that have a gap when closed don't always kill. Last thing you want in a BG is a live skunk.

220's gets my vote. Have tried smaller sizes and get more rejections. I still get refusals using 220's but not as often. Actually have better luck with foot holds. IMO

In a baited cubby, a 120 is ideal for skunks. Bigger traps often suitcase skunks and you'll have a % alive. 120's get them across the neck and they are dead.

In my experience . 220's suitcase . 160's behind shoulders . 120's across neck . These are baited cubbies specifically for skunk . I like the 120 belisle

X2

I don't know the best trap but my 160s work well, even if about half of them get about half way through. Most spray, some don't.

Bryce

I’ll be following this thread to see others opinions. I trapped a couple dozen skunks this fall with the intention of finding the best trap for the job. I don’t want to lose essence. My two test traps were Duke 155 and Belisle 120. I used baited boxes/tubes. I didn’t find that the opening size of the trap created any refusals. I also didn’t find that either trap was any more or less successful in dispatching the skunk before it sprayed. In fact, in my opinion a neck catch is less desirable in skunks than a suitcase catch as far as essence loss is concerned. The only solid conclusion I came to was that I extracted more essence from smaller skunks than larger because they were always killed immediately regardless of the trap. The larger skunks sprayed to some extent 80% of the time regardless of if they were caught in a 120 or 155 and neck catches seemed to be the least effective in killing them quickly.