Shell Trapper
Is it legal to kill a skunk in Kern County, California?
I somehow managed to catch not one, but two skunks in a live trap inside my garage. The local sheriff station is not equipped to handle skunks apparently and told me to call the nearest animal control center which directed me to a pest control service who then referred me to my local sheriff station who then… you get the picture. So, what I want to know is: Can I kill these skunks in a humane way (probably just pump car exhaust into the covered live trap or something) legally?
Also, I’m not about to shell out $150 to Orkin to come pick these little buggers up because they decided to live in my garage. If you want them to live so badly, then you can pay me the cost of the bill. We can discuss Paypal info in an email or something.
If you are a trapper/skinner/skunk enthusiast and would like to come take these things off of my hands, feel free. No charge. I don’t think I could if I wanted to anyway. I just want them gone.
There is a simple and easy way to get rid of them without killing them. They are handy little scavengers and hunters and there is no real justification to kill them….. I do it all the time at my home. It works on the concept that skunks , Walt Disney not withstanding, are pretty stupid when it comes right down to it . Plus it is a bit of adventure at that…
You will need a sheet, a hose, a large flower pot or block, preferably a truck but a station wagon or a large trunk that will easily hold the cage (so you don’t bump or tip it) and a nearby field where they will settle in and not return ( for me the solution is a nearby cemetery where there is about 4 acres of open semi-forested land), and a couple of beers or a sandwich and water.
Ok..
1) Open up the old sheet and soak it down with a hose. It should be at least a full sized bed sheet so there is no doubt that iti will completely cover the cage.
2) STANDING BEHIND THE SHEET (verrrrry important). hold it up and walk slowly up to the cage with the skunks. Like I said, they are incredibly stupid. While they would notice YOU walking up, they will not notice the sheet (go figure). This is why you stand behind it. If they see you they will get upset. You do not want an upset skunk
3) Walk up to the cage and lower the sheet over it. They will not get anxious at all and will likely settle down. If for some reason they DO spray (don’t talk, keep quiet and no loud noises) the wet sheet will stop the spray.
4) Pick up the cage (for two full grown skunks you may need help unless you can hold 20 lbs on your outstretched arm and walk it over to the transportation. Tuck the sheet under the cage so it won’t blow off
5) Drive to the dumping location and reverse the process of carrying the cage with the sheet to where ever you are going to leave them.
6) Feeling thru the sheet find the latches for the cage and open it..
7) Slowly tip the cage up so they slide toward the opening.. prop the cage up with the flower pot or block
from the uphill end, slowly pull the sheet away so that they can see the opening and the surroundings but will not immediately see you.
9) Back off about 50 to 60 feet and have a beer or eat your lunch while they come out, amble around and then leave. Skunks are stuid AND slow so this may take 5 to 15 minutes.. enjoy your refreshments and the floorshow as they try to figure out what just happened and where they are… eventually they will not like being out in the sun and will move on.
10) Retreive your cage and the sheet and the flowerpot and go home… – reset the trap for the next one.
The first time someone told me about this I could not believe how simple it was and figured someone was blowing smoke but dumb as *I* am I tried it and it worked flawlessly….. I have done this many times since for skunks, racoons, possums, etc.. (racoons are tougher because they are more active.. but they also run away quickly .. no one skunk has ‘discharged’ yet. My daughters when they were younger even enjoyed coming along to help.
good luck…
The Trapper Creek Lodge & Restaurant, Shell, Wyoming