Skunk trapped, now what?

[Whiskeydan]

For the last week we've had a skunk hanging around the house. He's sprayed almost every night so, yesterday I set a live trap baited with small pieces of chicken and a slice of bread with peanut butter. I had no clue of a skunks diet so, I figured this variety might work.

The plan was to trap it in an open area and then shoot it with a pellet rifle.

This morning the wife spotted it in the trap and says she feels sorry for it. I suggested she go release it...

I say shoot it.

[connerm]

Fill up a large barrel, garbage can or find a creek or pond. Dunk it for a minute. Deposit it in a trash bag, tie it up and trash it. And don't go talking about it. Just get rid of it. Someone you know will hear your story and turn you in for being cruel.

[daveuz]

Just go release it somewhere.

[Whiskeydan]

Getting close to it is the problem.

I'm thinking I'd have to talk when ask what that smell is.

[Phil]

Call animal control and tell them it is in a trap and let them come out to get it. They won't come out usually unless you have captured the animal first. Just tell them there is something in the trap but you don't know what it is.

[KarTek]

Do not shoot it as it will release it's biological weaponry instantly!

[jt20]

let it sit for a day to wear out. Midday, the next day, drape a tarp over it and drive it to an unfriendly neighbor's house (or far away).

[aklim]

22 cal will fix it and good. Trying to release it is a trick because if it sprays, you are in a world of hurt. No amount of Axe Body Spray will get a hooker within 10 feet of you, never mind any civilized person.

Good suggestion by the wife. Tell her to execute it as she pleases. When she gets sprayed, she might decide to beat it to death with a shovel.

[stimpy451]

Have you tried talking to it in a nice, soothing voice? Maybe feed it some pet food.

I found a baby skunk when I was a kid, and it grew up to be the best stinky kitty ever. He never sprayed in the house...

[KarTek]

Your answer?

http://icwdm.org/wildlife/skunk/skunkrelease.asp

[TMAllison]

Is best to put the trap in a large garbage bag and lay down a large hose before baiting; once sprung, plug the other end of the hose up to the car or tractor exhaust for 10 minutes.

[jt20]

maybe I'm a hippie............... but that's disturbing.

[davidmash]

It saddens me how cavalier some people are about life. The skunk is an innocent animal who is just going about it's business.

I agree with calling animal control.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by davidmash

It saddens me how cavalier some people are about life. The skunk is an innocent animal who is just going about it's business.

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

He's sprayed almost every night so

It's business happens to cause problems which is the trap was set in the first place.

[SirNik84]

animal control is the best bet, but not because its good for the skunk, its because its good for you! why get sprayed if you piss that thing off. animal control knows how to handle the skunk, and if they get sprayed, they've delt with that before also, so let them do their job.

If the skunk was far away from your house, where you could leave it for a week to let the smell go away, I'd say shoot it. But being near your home, you might as well call the pros.