How to Catch a Skunk

Some people think skunks make adorable pets. While it may be best to purchase a pet skunk from a skunk breeder in order to ensure the health of your pet skunk, it is possible to trap your own skunk. With the right trap you can safely catch a skunk and even avoid getting sprayed.

Things You'll Need

• Humane sprayproof skunk trap
• Veterinarian
• Bait

Instructions

1. Find a place where some skunks are living. You may get lucky and find out that one of your neighbors has a skunk problem and you can kill two birds with one stone by catching their skunk. Skunks like burrows so they often favor crawlspaces under houses and sheds. You may have a skunk that frequents your yard. Skunks are nocturnal so don't assume that there aren't any around just because you haven't seen one.

2. Buy a humane, sprayless skunk trap. These traps will not hurt the skunk and will protect you from getting sprayed once you catch one. They look like long tubes, the skunk will go inside the tube to eat the bait and become trapped.

3. Bait the skunk trap. A popular bait for catching skunks is dog food. Most other animals will not eat the dog food but you may catch a raccoon or possum. Be ready to find something you weren't expecting inside your trap and expect to put the trap out more than once. It could take awhile to catch a skunk.

4. Place the trap near a skunk's burrow or in an area where skunks are known to frequent. Remember to check the trap frequently, especially first thing in the morning. You don't want an animal to be stuck in a trap for too long, causing stress.

5. If you've managed to trap a skunk you will need to take it to the vet immediately. Have the skunk de-scented and checked for diseases. Never keep any wild animal for a pet unless it has been thoroughly checked for diseases.