Ta da! 2 dead moles!

[Pilot]

Each of the Victors I have had needed to be fiddled with to make them work well.
On both of them the safety hook needed adjustment or it would fall off. The second one took about 30 minutes of adjusting to make it set right. The supposedly round part it hung from was more square than round and the corners had to be filed down.

On both of them the triggers took adjustment or they wouldn't go off. You could lift the trap by the trigger, tap on the trigger plate and nothing would happen. Had to grind down the lip at the end of the trigger to make it trip.

Still, checking the trap in the tunnel I would find dirt all around the trap and no mole.

OTOH, first try with the Trapline traps had a 50% kill rate, no fiddling needed. Set them in the tunnel, one on each side of your access hole & you got'em!

 

[Pilot]

Regarding carbon monoxide, yes, it can be a problem, but according to Iowa State Univ., pollution control systems can reduce CO emissions from 30,000 ppm to 1,000 ppm. Poorly running cars can put out 100,000 ppm. The problem with modern cars comes when the exhaust system has a leak in front of the converter.

 

[the old grind]

Each of the Victors I have had needed to be fiddled with to make them work well.

On both of them the triggers took adjustment or they wouldn't go off. You could lift the trap by the trigger, tap on the trigger plate and nothing would happen. Had to grind down the lip at the end of the trigger to make it trip.

OTOH, first try with the Trapline traps had a 50% kill rate, no fiddling needed. Set them in the tunnel, one on each side of your access hole & you got'em!

The cables shown are for staking/spotting, but I have lost a pair of Traplines ... somewhere out there. Work the long end into the soil (centered well as to be less detectable) and slope the trigger slightly 'uphill' from that. I cut an 8" or so sod flap and tip it to one side to set opposed pairs almost touching each other, then sprinkle loose dirt to cover the springs and perhaps mask scent. btw, I only wish I got 50% with any of my TL sets as I tend to check/move them often as tunnel activity warrants. That said, Victors and Easy-Sets will show trips.



To 'tune' OOS's trigger 'weight' I use an RCBS trigger-pull scale and adjust to ~1/2lb when I can. Also, I hold the trigger down when 'placing' to compress dirt firmly under it and make 'em work for it. (results on p. 5 :dance1

 

[MossRoad]

Good Lord Moss - do you have a death wish? Your striped friend could have just as easily turned and come right up beside you to leave a friendly reminder. I appreciate natures animals as much as anybody - but not usually this close up.

The skunk was quite docile. It knew that I knew not to mess with it. I used a tarp. I'd peek out, it would see me and lift its tail. I'd duck behind the tarp and it would lower its tail and keep sniffing around inside the trap. Did this many times to be sure I could get close. Finally got close enough to drop the tarp over the cage and take it out back. ...

Moral to the story... if a groundhog is getting into your shed through a hole in the wall... try plugging the hole first! :laughing:

 

[teejk]

The skunk was quite docile. It knew that I knew not to mess with it. I used a tarp. I'd peek out, it would see me and lift its tail. I'd duck behind the tarp and it would lower its tail and keep sniffing around inside the trap. Did this many times to be sure I could get close. Finally got close enough to drop the tarp over the cage and take it out back. ...

Moral to the story... if a groundhog is getting into your shed through a hole in the wall... try plugging the hole first! :laughing:

With the skunks you always have to an eye on that tail...they only "squirt" from the rear with the tail up...and if they have released their juice recently it takes a few days to recharge. As for your method, I think I would add a grommet to that tarp and buy some rope...I think a fully charged skunk is good for 10'...I'd give it 20'.

 

[MossRoad]

Overall, the experience of catch and release skunk trapping was a positive moment in my life. I encourage all of you to try it at least once in your life. Just be sure to have someone with a camera nearby. :laughing:

 

[teejk]

Overall, the experience of catch and release skunk trapping was a positive moment in my life. I encourage all of you to try it at least once in your life. Just be sure to have someone with a camera nearby. :laughing:

And just in case, make sure you have some hydrogen peroxide, Dawn dishwashing liquid and baking soda handy...might want to get a book because you might be alone for a day or two!

 

[MNBobcat]

I did it twice last year. Wife wouldn't let me shoot it. So I used a tarp like you did to walk up to the live trap. I got the trap open without getting sprayed. The goofy skunk stayed in the live trap all day and didn't leave until dark.

Caught him again a few days later. We were trying to trap the racoons.

Overall, the experience of catch and release skunk trapping was a positive moment in my life. I encourage all of you to try it at least once in your life. Just be sure to have someone with a camera nearby. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I was trying to trap a woodchuck that made a hole in the dirt floor of our shed. I thought I got one of the crazy cat lady's black cats from across the street, until I saw the stripe! For the life of me, I don't know why I didn't just repair the hole in the shed door VS trying to trap the stupid thing. :laughing: