Skunk

[John N Mi]

Six times in the last two years I have caught a skunk while trying to catch the masked bandit. I slowly approach the trap with a tarp held up and spead out in front of me held so the skunk can not see my head. With the tarp draped over the trap he goes into the bed of the pickup and is hauled five miles away across a small river and then released. What are the chances that I am catching the same skunk each time?

 

[ericlb]

actually it may be the same animal, how long between catches, i have live trapped over 35 skunks in the last 10 years i fold the tarp on the top of the trap so that it has enough folded over the top to reach down the front and door sides, once i catch the guy i can then use a long handle with a hook on it to lower the 2 sides, this doesnt seem to bother the skunk enough to spray, but they will spray the truck while on their trip to the release site, before i let them out i spray a quick shot of bright red on their side that way i know if the same critter is comming back or not

 

[Goose]

Shoot him and see if another shows up.

 

[Dave H (MI)]

Given the population density of skunks in N. Michigan as published by MSU in co-op with the DNR and the average speed of a skunk given they have about a three inch stride. Also bearing in mind that they are poor swimmers BUT that the river is frozen at least 4 months of the year I have calculated your chances at about 4,897,424 to 1. I'll get back to you on the standard deviation. I am still doing a google search on the homing instinct as it relates to skunks. If you weren't from Michigan and good natured as we all here are....I wouldn't have bothered. Hope your part of the state is doing better than ours!

 

[Sid]

I would say there is a fair to middlin chance it is the same one. I have read that skunks usually range up to a mile and a half. But sometimes they have been known to range up to five miles. I have also read that if you relocate a skunk you need to take it at least ten miles. Personaly, I think if it is a pest kill it. If you don't want to kill it let it stay. Don't take your problem pest and dump them on someone else.

 

[Coloken]

Next time tie a ribbon around his neck.

 

[Michael Soldan]

Tie a rope onto the cage handle, when you get to the river drop the cage in about three feet of water and have a smoke then retrieve your cage..otherwise you will keep on catching the same skunk or yo will be passing him on to someone else

 

[Anonymous-0]

We have/had a severe coon problem and among the 200 + coons we have live trapped in 3 years have been a half dozen or so skunks. The really develope a taste for the marsh mellow bait. I talk to them while slowly/gently laying an old blanket over the trap and carry it outside. After opening the cage and removing the blanket, I back off a bit and allow the skunk to exit the trap by 10 ft or so,then apply the contents of a 12 gauge cartridge to tranqulize the skunk and prevent repeat trap and release problems. Had to do another this morning, first one this year.

 

[WantACaseLASomeday]

Just kill it and there's no question. Coons, possums, and skunks should simply be shot whenever the opportunity arises.

 

[Spook]

I would never release a skunk. They are one of the most common carriers of rabies, distemper, and other diseases. Skunks, possums and coons are all pests, best eliminated. I usually use a .22 pistol.

 

[Jim k]

Believe it or not here in Ma. it is ilegal to trap and relocate any pesky critters due to the fact that you might be spreading disease.
Shoot em. I was told that by an animal control officer.

 

[RayP(MI)]

Naw, John - there's enough skunks to go around. We've been dooing them all summer. Went out in my pasture yesterday, there's another patch torn up.. about an acre. BOOOOOOM!

 

[RobMD]

yeah, and get a face full of pi$s?

 

[37 chief]

Slim to none. Stan

 

[Mark - IN.]

It"s illegal to relocate them in Indiana and Illinois too. Skunks may not necessarily be rabib, but often carry rabies. In Illinois the law was very specific, shoot them or drown them. In Indiana, I do it just like cyotes, shoot them.

My lab got it point blank in the face and eye by a skunk. For about 3 days the smell was beyond skunk is the only way I can describe it. After that, it just became skunk. To this day his eye that got it matters up all of the time.