Not caught yet but how to remove a skunk from Havahart live trap?

[CH4Ohio]

In Ohio, you can relocate a possum but aren't supposed to relocate a raccoon.

Don't think so. The same trapping rules apply to coons and possums and skunks. Can't relocate them onto public property and can't dump them on another person's property. This is for several obvious reasons, but one is to prevent spreading disease among the animal population.

Check out "Rule 1501:31-15-03 | Nuisance wild animal control. Ohio Administrative Code" as well as the ODNR (Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources) website.

Section E (3) of the above mentioned regulations state that it's unlawful NOT to euthanize or release it "ON SITE".

(3) It shall be unlawful to fail to euthanize, or release on site, any nuisance raccoon, skunk, beaver, coyote, red fox, or opossum that is captured, trapped or taken.

There's just no reason to RELOCATE a NUISANCE animal. Trap it and euthanize it.

 

[Torvy]

Even if it wasn't unlawful, relocating varmints just moves your problem somewhere else. That 'public' land can support X number of critters. If you and your neighbors are all dumping them in that area, they are just going to push more critters into the properties adjacent to the dumping area. (Directly or indirectly)

Put them down as painlessly as possible. If you cannot deal with killing critters, hire someone who will.

 

[lman]

Had that happen maybe 5 years ago. What made it even more challenging was that the trap was between 2 woodpiles, and you couldn't get around it or easily escape. My wife was braver than me, and just snuck up and opened the trap. The skunk wandered out and apparently was grateful enough that it did so without spraying.

Why did you catch it, if you were just going to release it?

 

[the old grind]

Non-target catch. Happens a lot & is why we use live traps. btw, IN has rules similar to OH's.

 

[ponytug]

While we are on the subject of regulations, drowning animals was banned by PACT, signed by Trump in 2019, which made drowning animals a federal crime;

Laws that Protect Animals

In the United States, animal protection laws can be enacted and enforced at every level of government. Most animal protection legislation happens at the state level.

aldf.org

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/724/text

All the best,

Peter

 

[DarkBlack]

While we are on the subject of regulations, drowning animals was banned by PACT, signed by Trump in 2019, which made drowning animals a federal crime;

Laws that Protect Animals

In the United States, animal protection laws can be enacted and enforced at every level of government. Most animal protection legislation happens at the state level.

aldf.org

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/724/text

All the best,

Peter

I believe PACT leaves it as still legal to drown a nuisance skunk on your property. There’s also, thousands of “how to” videos on the net for baiting mice to drown in buckets of water. That alone would fill up prisons.

I read the PACT act. Its aim is at people making “crushing “ videos. Sick people torturing animals for the thrill.

From the law:

(d)Exceptions.—
(1)In general.—This section does not apply with regard to any conduct, or a visual depiction of that conduct, that is—
(A)
a customary and normal veterinary, agricultural husbandry, or other animal management practice;
(B)
the slaughter of animals for food;
(C)
hunting, trapping, fishing, a sporting activity not otherwise prohibited by Federal law, predator control, or pest control;
(D)
medical or scientific research;
(E)
necessary to protect the life or property of a person; or
(F)performed as part of euthanizing an animal.

You’d still want to check up on your specific state regulations

 

[sixdogs]

Don't think so. The same trapping rules apply to coons and possums and skunks. Can't relocate them onto public property and can't dump them on another person's property. This is for several obvious reasons, but one is to prevent spreading disease among the animal population.

Check out "Rule 1501:31-15-03 | Nuisance wild animal control. Ohio Administrative Code" as well as the ODNR (Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources) website.

Section E (3) of the above mentioned regulations state that it's unlawful NOT to euthanize or release it "ON SITE".

(3) It shall be unlawful to fail to euthanize, or release on site, any nuisance raccoon, skunk, beaver, coyote, red fox, or opossum that is captured, trapped or taken.

There's just no reason to RELOCATE a NUISANCE animal. Trap it and euthanize it.

Good to know. Last I checked was maybe 8 or more years ago and back then coon was the only one you could not release.

 

[WinterDeere]

Drowning is cruel. I've found that putting the muzzle of a .22 rifle thru a gap in the have-a-heart cage, will almost always prompt the animal to come sniff the barrel. One clean shot thru the head, instant death, and usually no damage to the trap.

I've disposed of quite a few ground hogs this way, as they're both illegal to relocate, and can tend to come back if not moved farther than 3 miles. If I had a skunk that needed to be gone, I'd surely use the same method. But I like skunks, as long as I can keep my dog and them separated, they keep German yellow jacket (aka "ground hornet") nests at bay.

 

[gstrom99]

I've caught plenty of skunks, when I lived in Chicago's suburbia. The small "live traps" work great for skunks. The smaller, the better. If they can't raise their tail, they can't spray. The towel/sheet idea works pretty good as a shield. I bought one of the black tube straps with electric door release built in - never once worked... I released all (far away from anywhere...), after the first one I shot. They don't stink until shot, then OMG!!!! Had to leave the trap out for weeks, before bringing it back in the Jeep. Being rural now, I've not caught or dealt with even one.

 

[gstrom99]

I'm looking into that now. I also remember they might open in the trap is upside down. Looking into that as well.

If tipped over, the release will probably open. I stake down (24" rebar) my traps so they can't be tipped over by the trapped varmint or coyote/dog/critter trying to get at 'em.

 

[ultrarunner]

While we are on the subject of regulations, drowning animals was banned by PACT, signed by Trump in 2019, which made drowning animals a federal crime;

Laws that Protect Animals

In the United States, animal protection laws can be enacted and enforced at every level of government. Most animal protection legislation happens at the state level.

aldf.org

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/724/text

All the best,

Peter

Does that count when pushing the garden hose down a gopher hole?

 

[2515R Dude]

Drowning is cruel. I've found that putting the muzzle of a .22 rifle thru a gap in the have-a-heart cage, will almost always prompt the animal to come sniff the barrel. One clean shot thru the head, instant death, and usually no damage to the trap.

I've disposed of quite a few ground hogs this way, as they're both illegal to relocate, and can tend to come back if not moved farther than 3 miles. If I had a skunk that needed to be gone, I'd surely use the same method. But I like skunks, as long as I can keep my dog and them separated, they keep German yellow jacket (aka "ground hornet") nests at bay.

If you soot a skunk in the head it will definitely spray, period. You need to get him suffocate, they never spray, How you do it, is your choice, inject acetone to the lungs (professional trappers do it), drown it, shoot in the lungs (drowning in his own blood if you think of it) or kiss it till it dies.

after the first one I shot. They don't stink until shot, then OMG!!!! Had to leave the trap out for weeks, before bringing it back in the Jeep. Being rural now, I've not caught or dealt with even one.

See above, works like charm. I have about 30 skunk furs. They are beautiful. Not a single one sprayed, some caught in conibears, some in live traps and some in dog proof.

I trap my property from November till February. Wife makes nice jackets, slippers and mittens for us and our friends.

 

[CliffordK]

Do you have any neighbors you dislike that leave their car doors unlocked?

It would seem there would be creative ways to get rid of a skunk.

 

[2515R Dude]

Do you have any neighbors you dislike that leave their car doors unlocked?

It would seem there would be creative ways to get rid of a skunk.

Actually, the firs time in my life i have the greatest neighbors all around.
Also they always ask me to trap foxes, coyotes, ground hogs and such when they became problem.
Just last week i trapped 9 groundhogs from under one of my neighbor's garage. Before it another one had her chickens disappeared. The problem was a red fox which had a den close by.

 

[garry1p]

Their is an easy way to dispose of a skunk caught in the trap with no oder.
When I lived in the city I would catch 45 to 65 squirrels a year and did not want to disturb the neighbors discharging a firearm. In the process I would catch several skunks per year.
For skunks:
Use an old blanket, walk behind the blanket (I only hold the blanket shoulder high and have never been sprayed) walk up to the trap and place blanket over trap.
Carry the trap to wherever your vehicle is parked.
Take a vacuum cleaner hose and put it in the vehicle exhaust pipe.
Put the other end under the blanket.
Start vehicle and the skunk (or whatever animal is in the cage) and in a few minuets skunks goes to sleep.

I would put the dead skunk in a garbage bag and let the trash man haul it off.

For squirrels, possums and raccoons I used an air rifle.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have heard more difficult with todays ultra low emission vehicles… some can make the air actually cleaner.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have heard more difficult with todays ultra low emission vehicles… some can make the air actually cleaner.

Other than being another reason you should always have one classic muscle car in the stable... you could use your zero turn, lawn tractor, or any other OPE operating on petrol.

Californians are screwed!

 

[PCo farm]

I will second Riptides suggestion, with one addition: Had a buddy use a plastic tarp on a windy day, gust of wind came up and rattled the tarp...instant spray. I use a light-color bed sheet....no rattles. Once draped over the trap like a bird cage, I have been able to pick up the trap, load it into the truck bed and transport it with no spray. Dozens of times with no spraying. Your mileage may vary.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Back in the mid fifties, my father and his buddy used to go out at night and trap skunks in the dumps that were prevalent in the area. They would blind them with a flashlight and throw them into a burlap bag. I do not recall if they ever got sprayed or not?

They then used either to make the skunks sleepy and then cut off their scent glands. Once healed, the skunks were sold to some pet shop.

This is a photo of me with my pet skunk.

 

[CliffordK]

Back in the mid fifties, my father and his buddy used to go out at night and trap skunks in the dumps that were prevalent in the area. They would blind them with a flashlight and throw them into a burlap bag. I do not recall if they ever got sprayed or not?

They then used either to make the skunks sleepy and then cut off their scent glands. Once healed, the skunks were sold to some pet shop.

This is a photo of me with my pet skunk.View attachment 884792

Mom had a pet skunk from about that era. I think they captured it as an infant and had the scent glands removed. If it got out, they had to be careful that they caught the right one.

My grandparents always blamed that skunk for attracting other skunks to live under the house, and every once in a while one would let loose under the house.