I have a skunk problem -how is the best way get rid of snunks without getting sprayed ? my dog has allready been had and i think my chickens are the target . I have some leg hold traps and 110 conibears and a quiet 22 my neighbor has a live trap any help GREATLY APPRECIATED! I think we have more than one critter

220 in a box

If you have pets, a 220 in a box may not be a goof idea. If you have access to a cage trap, place it in a good location, bait and cover it with a canvas or blanket. When you catch the skunk, you can remove it to an area to dispatch it without it spraying.

I had same problem a couple weeks ago as I started losing eggs. I used dog proof traps and caught 5 skunks in a week. Subsonic 22lr to the head or ribs. None sprayed. Maybe I just got lucky.

make a cubby set and put some eggs or catfood or maybe some marshmellows and leave it out till you catch all your skunks

Make a 120 by taking off one spring and adding to another. A cubby for that 120 and a fried piece of chicken for bait.
99% of the time,no spray

What's a Snunk?

Are skunk pelts good this time of year? I want some to tan but not sure if now is a good time to get them or not.

Id wait, prime pelts a few months off yet

Thanks.

22 CB or subsonic to the lungs. Heads shots often cause the animal to convulse and spray. A low powered 22 to the lungs and they fall over in a few seconds and within a few more are dead. I’ve shot a couple hundred this way and they never sprayed.

Using a higher powered round, especially hollow points, is too shocking to their system and will cause them to spray.

thanks every one ! much appreciated!

Footholds not leg holds. Eric

Skunk is the right name.

I had trapped a yard years ago and could not get a skunk commit to a 220 in a box. I backed off the yard and put two dirt holes in. I had skunk in traps 4 days in a row in both traps. I was amazed at how many skunks that were in that area. I took 15 skunks in two weeks there. Never have done that again. If possible I would say stay with natural sets when you can.

when caught in foothold how to dispatch without spray and without a syringe ? lung?

Read Marty Weatherup's post above.

Dispatch by PM only

Armature question, How close is safe to approach skunk to dispatch with 22 cal without spraying.

Walk slow and easy, talking to it all the way works for me.

A waxed Belisle 120 super x or a 2001-5 sauvageau in a mink box will kill skunk well,without spraying.
They may leak little but they wont spray.
A 110 is inadequate for skunks.
What is a shunk?

Very limited experience with them, but I've seen two caught in 120 Bridgers in marten boxes during a warm spell (yes skunks can climb), both were dispatched without spraying.

At what distance does it put in danger of getting hit by spray.

Depending upon wind, 12'-16' is about the edge of the danger zone. Most times I find it best to crawl up to them as your less threatening to them by being ground level with them. Also your a smaller target. Younger ones seem to be more excitable while the larger ones more calm, especially ones that have been around farm yards and livestock.

Don't know, never been sprayed. BUT: I'm not a big "snunk" trapper! LOL

20 scout: Crawling will make it harder to escape when it turns it's tail towards you. LOL

sorry guys they put the n too close to the k on my keyboard

The forum also provides and EDIT function.................

and the op has already been fixed sorry

I went to town and got a 220 but it turns out a 110 will work ,just barley but a large skunk head will fit halfway into a 110 which evidently is far enough . thanks for all the help guys to a new trapper here

I often use a pellet gun and put one behind the shoulder. It takes a bit but does the job. Most the time they don't spray.

"20 scout: Crawling will make it harder to escape when it turns it's tail towards you. LOL"

Pay attention to what the skunk is trying to tell you. When they start to stomp or raise their tail you simply back off a bit. Confidence and patience are two things you need when dealing with skunks.

In my opinion you should accept that a caught skunk is probably going to spray or leave considerable odor. I would set my trap of choice close to the target ( chickens as you state) but as far from things you want to smell like skunk for several days or weeks. You could ask your neighbor if he/they would let you use their cage trap and let them know it will probably get skunky. You could put covering over most of the trap to minimize odor drift etc. I have caught a few in 160s that did not spray, most did. Almost all I have caught in foot holds or cages wound up spraying, but I was not taking the needed time etc. to prevent spraying either.

Bryce

1 Qt Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup Baking soda
1 good squirt of liquid dish soap

Mix well and use, results are instant and spectacular
Don't try to save leftovers, your container will explode

160's will have them spray sometimes. It doesn't catch them behind the ears and is a little too big for skunks.
120's do an excellent job of dispatch and catches them just right. I have only had a couple spray in years and I catch quite a few skunks

I set 160s for coons and the skunks are incidentals for me. I don't own any 120s, so 160s are what I use. They sure hammer the chucks.

Bryce

I gave my dad a couple of dogproofs to help with the coons in his corn patch. The first two nights he had a skunk in each one. I believe he just used dry dogfood for bait.