SKUNK

[JB4310]

Not entirely true. The glottis can spasm (closed) preventing aspiration of water (and also air) resulting in death. However,
The above is true for humans, I doubt there is much data on skunks.

So you guys are saying you wouldn't inhale a huge amount of water, after you held your breath as long as you could? Causing crushing pain, choking and gagging and repeating till unconscious?

That goes against what I feared would happen, don't know if that would make it any better way of dieing.
IMO, a high velocity projectile to the central processor still better.

I can say from experience, it was a long process before the skunk stopped moving, probably 4 minutes or more, way longer than I thought and to long to watch something die, though it did not seem to be terribly distressed, just pacing around.
I know, easy to say standing on dry ground and breathing

How about exhaust gassing, I've heard that may be painless, more humane?

JB.

 

[20 20]

How about exhaust gassing, I've heard that may be painless, more humane?

JB.

I was just thinking the same thing Why not just use a drier vent pipe from a car exhaust to the covered trap?

 

[N80]

So you guys are saying you wouldn't inhale a huge amount of water, after you held your breath as long as you could? Causing crushing pain, choking and gagging and repeating till unconscious?

It is actually a very complicated process, with a lot of variation. But when you finally 'inhale' the larynx spasms shut not allowing much water into the lungs. Then you pass out, relax and then the water enters the lungs but you wouldn't feel that. But again, it is apparent that some drowning victims do get an immediate lung full of water.

But that's all just a technicality. Even when this process happens some water always gets in. So again, imagine holding your breath as you panic and try to get to the surface. Then, think about when you swallow wrong and just a little saliva or water goes into your windpipe. Combine the two feelings of suffocation and gagging and you pretty much have waterboarding, which is enough to break any human and considered by many to be torture.

So even if the process takes one minute or four minutes, it still seems inhumane to me when a bullet is instantaneous.

Or, if so inclined, let the skunk go in a wooded area.

 

[hydrology_joe]

I have trapped several possums and skunks and found the most humane way to eliminate them afterwards was a CO2 cylinder and a large trash can. The CO2 cylinder was from a keg-o-rator purchased at a garage sale. (We live in suburbia and cannot discharge firearms.) The live trap would go in the trash can and the lid put on. Then stick the hose from the CO2 cylinder in through a small hole in the lid, turn on the cylinder and fill the can with gas. The asphyxiation is less traumatic than drowning.

I learned the process from a pest control guy I did some insulation work for. He had several of the trash can set ups and several large deep freezes. When he couldn't relocate the animals, he would use the can. The carcass would go into a deep freeze until he collected enough to make a run to the incinerator.

 

[beenthere]

..................

How about exhaust gassing, I've heard that may be painless, more humane?

JB.

I tried that once with a racoon in the trap. Tarped it well as I could, and piped the exhaust in. Left the 6 cyl Trailblazer running for well over 40 minutes, and nothing but a groggy coon. I figured it might be less bloody than a bullet (just try to get that coon looking into a gun barrel for that 1/2 second to put the bullet between the eyes) but it didn't work for me. Back to the gun and the mess.

If I had a container ready with enough water, I'd "waterboard" 'em. But when I trap 2-4 coons a month, I won't mess with filling a 55 gal. drum each time.

Will look into the CO2

 

[N80]

If I had a container ready with enough water, I'd "waterboard" 'em.

I still don't think you'll get him to talk, but if that's what floats your boat.....

I don't kill possums. I shoot racoons, even in the suburbs, a .22 short hardly makes any noise. I also have a cheap, but powerful pellet gun. Its as lethal as the .22 at short range.

If I had to drown or gas one, I'd just let it go.

 

[beenthere]

I still don't think you'll get him to talk,............

Guess I'll drop that approach then.

 

[20 20]

I tried waterboarding a pesky fish once, danged if he didn't seem to enjoy it. Next time I'll airboard him

 

[Airjmc87]

Drowning is not humane. And don't mistake me for PETA VEGAN GREEN PIECE either. I've hunted all my life. Drowning causes fear, pain, struggle, and aspiration of water. I've got no problem with anyone who wants to kill a varmit or pest in a humane way, but not matter how hard anyone tries to convince themselves otherwise, drowning is cruel and uneccessary. Period.

As for diet, skunks are omnivors. They'll eat anything but rodents are known to be a major component of their diet.

99% of people are incapable of shooting anything in the head due to accuracy so more than likely their gonna do some kinda hack job to geter done. Now for drowning, it is an emdiate removal of air flow, one breath and their is zero oxygen going to the brain. It takes less than 30 seconds for a human to be completely unconscious and feeling nothing which I have experienced first hand extensively both choking people out via stopping blood flow and/or air flow and being choke out during my infantry training. Anything with a smaller lung capacity than a human is going to have a much smaller window of consciousness once oxygen is removed. So I know first hand that drowning is by far the most humane and clean way to dispatch vermin. I have also shot thousands of vermin with one shot kills but it always ends in a mess or smell. The only reason people think drowning is not humane is because they picture how something or someone would drown while struggling to swim at the surface which is a scary thought and I also know how that feels and it's a very scary feeling. The fact is, in that situation airflow is not removed and the act of drowning like that is not quick and painless where as being imediately submerged and loosing all oxygen in one breath and going to sleep in seconds is! I know from personal experience so don't bother trying to argue this until you can go get throat choked properly until you go asleep and experience oxygen loss, if done correctly you WILL be asleep in about 10-15 seconds.

 

[Airjmc87]

20_20
Not a problem here. But I googled it, and says the striped skunk (one I am most familiar with) is not fast enough.



Now, going to get that cookie.

Lol a skunk doesn't have to chase a mouse to catch one, fairly easy for them to walk up to a nest of them and mowe down on the buffet. Also i watched one in my parents yard in Ottawa walk right up to a rabbit and kill it and eat it, it was a mighty long and clumsy process for the skunk but he got it done.