I pulled all traps over 3 weeks ago, because I wasn't feeling good. Since then, things aren't any better health wise... Several days ago, I had a darn coon tearing things up trying to get into my attic and under my porch. So, I did what any trapper would do... I set a couple of live traps. Now I live in the middle of town with houses close by, so have to be vigilant when dispatching anything. After several days of catching nothing, I hobbled out this morning to find a SKUNK in one of the traps. Now the trap is right next to my porch where my outdoor grill is sitting along with several other live traps. I am rather weak at this point in time and every time I get within about 4 feet of the critter it raises its tail and stomps its front feet... we all know what that means.

So any guess how long this critter will take to die of old age?

Garry-

What a great day for you Garry ! Bob Noonan approaches them slowly with a blanket in front to lay it gently over the cage . He smiles every time he tells me....never, ever LOOM over them If you can do that can you open the door and let him out ? Very slowly ?

Talk softly to it, don't rile it. Take an old blanket, tow sack or other covering held out in front as both shield and blind approach slowly all the while speaking softly to Mr Lepew. Drape blanket over cage and wrap it up for transport off site. If release is planned leave door clear.
To release set cage down still wrapped and straddle cage with door pointing away. Using a bungee open door and bungee it open, walk away.

I do this with a black denim tarp I made. Has a peephole in it and a handle hole.
Drape it over the trap If...walking slowly towards it. It performs like you said, stop and start again slower.

Carry draped trap low to ground keeping it dark inside. Lift and lower into a lage dry swim test- Cooler kept for this

BTW, if targeting skunks I go ahead and wrap my cages using contractor trash bags and duct tape. I leave the back open for a tunnel effect. A good tight wrap with duct taped edges will survive several skunks or one raccoon.

If you have a spigot/hose nearby try spraying him with water... Don't blast with a jet, adjust the spray nozzle to a heavy "rain."

Worked well for me. Pepe was more concerned about getting wet than he was about me. Let me get close enough to open the door and release him.

YMMV though... Good luck.

Mike

pssss Houston we have a problem.
best of luck
You can divorce your wife but you cant divorce your neighbors

Back when I was training techs I loved walking them through their first skunk job. Always good for a few laughs.

That first one they'll pick up that cage like a live hand grenade, lol.

Yes, I have used the cover approach dozens of times... mostly for my in-town friends. To the point of being called the "Skunk Whisperer" The main problem is... it is very windy here today with a misty rain. He was cover by a yard cart... I got that removed and the other live traps... but it is very nervous and each time, no matter how slowly I go, the wind whips the bag, and the tail goes up. It has squirted a little twice. When I am trying to trap a skunk, I have a live trap that is only 24" long and a large plastic container I fill with water. I wasn't anticipating a skunk and the trap it is in is 31".

So, I guess I will hope it rains really hard and then turns freezing... that might help. I was going to release him and let everyone else worry about it. So, at this point it is a "Stinky stand-off".

So we wait................................

Garry-

Remember to drag blanket on ground so your feet aren't seen ! ! I got this great advice about blanket, which I've since used many times successfully, but they forgot or I was too dumb to think about my feet showing and the first candidate let everyone know it ! !

An old blanket would be quieter in the wind. Good luck

Call animal control tomorrow and tell them you've caught a rabid skunk and they need to get it so they can dispose of it properly.

Walk up to it like a boss.

What are your neighbors going to more concerned with??

The skunk smell?

Or you running around the yard naked?

Either way someone's going to have a great Christmas story.

Thanks for that ... I honestly have to say that made me actually laugh... first time in many weeks I have felt like it.

Garry-

The advice you got is spot on! But, they left out one thing. You need to slowly bring it to your neighbors house, you know, the one that lets their dogs poop in your yard! Let it out there about an hour before they let them out of the house!! Merry Christmas Actor

Can you access the trap from the porch?
If so you'll need an extend apole a tote bigger than the trap 2 piecesbof rope a hook to strong enough to lift the cage and skunk the garden hose and baking soda and peroxide
The pole will be your lever to lift and move the cage using the porch rail as a base.

Actor, I feel for you, I wish I was close by, I would take care of the skunk for you. I hope you feel better soon.

Go down to the hardware store and buy a tote big enough to submerge the cage.
Use an old piece of carpet with a slit in it for the cage handle to cover the cage Then pick it up slowly with a long hook and slowly lower the cage into the water.

If you were closer id send Jerry over to take care of it for you.

He aint scared.lol

Believe I would stay upwind.