How to Trap Skunks

Skunks are very territorial animals, and skunk repellents only work for as long as you use them. To permanently remove a skunk from your property, you must trap and release it to a far-away, remote setting. Catch a live skunk with a cage trap.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skunk trap
• Bait
• Towel or sheet
• Pickup truck
• Remote location

1. Choose a live trap to catch your skunk. Trap dimensions should be 11 x 12 x 30 inches.

2. Place bait inside the trap. Good baits for skunk catching are peanut better (which won't attract cats if you have any), chicken entrails, or fresh or canned fish.

3. Place the trap where you see the skunk regularly or near one of its den entrances. Skunks typically have multiple entrances to their dens, so put barriers up against the other openings if you know where they are.

4. Approach the trap carefully once the skunk is in it. Put a large towel or sheet between yourself and the skunk, holding it up in your outstretched hands. If you hear hissing noises from the skunk, back away until the skunk is calm.

5. Wrap the trap gently in the sheet. If skunks can't see you, they most likely won't spray. However, he may spray if he becomes alarmed, so you must carry the trap carefully.

6. Put the trap in the back of a truck if you can and transport it to a remote area where it can be released.

7. Let the trap down and open it with the sheet still on it. Carefully take the sheet off and retreat to a safe distance until the skunk decides to leave the trap.

Tips & Warnings

• Your best bet is to get a skunk trap that has solid walls and is spray proof. That way the skunk can't see you and is unlikely to spray and if it does spray it won't get all over you.
• If you see skunks pounding their front feet up and down, they are agitated and could very well spray. Back away from the animal quickly if this occurs.

Resources

• Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management