Quote:
Originally Posted by alexjn1
I was told once that if you do live trap a skunk quietly and slowly move toward the closed trap with a blanket outstretched so not to startle the animal and gently lay the blanket over the trap (similar to covering a bird cage at night) and let sit for a few minutes to let the animal calm down then move skunk outside to the release area and only remove enough blanket to allow the exit door to be opened. Then RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This does work -- I have done it with skunks that I trapped accidentally in a Havahart trap. From what I understand, the skunk doesn't "know" what the blanket is and so holds off on spraying. Skunks don't WANT to spray because it takes them a while to reload, so to speak. They also have very few predators, so they aren't afraid of much. Those two things together are what makes it fairly safe to be around skunks as long as you are non-threatening. I've walked up on them at night in my yard and they usually just wander off. They really don't care to be around you.
As far as releasing the animal from the trap, the ones I caught really didn't seem too upset -- one even sniffed at my hands much like a cat. I opened the trap and just eased away.
For what it's worth -- skunks generally do a little agitated dance before spraying. First facing you -- that's warning one; then with they rear towards you -- that's the second warning. Guess what happens at step 3?
And I agree with Accumulator -- if you're gonna kill it, at least be humane and quick about it. It's not the animals fault you don't want it around -- it's just being a skunk.