Relocating a Skunk

My neighbor has been trying to trap and remove some red squirrels from his property but caught a larger animal in the trap and needed help to remove it. I got a call Sunday morning that he had caught a skunk in the trap and it had sprayed his dog while in the trap.

I gave him some time to "de-scent" his dog and let the skunk calm down. It was a young skunk in a small trap so it didn't have much room to maneuver (aim). Skunks are fairly easy to deal with under these condition IF some basic rules are followed.

• Stay calm and do not scare the skunk.
• Skunks have poor eyesight. Start talking slowly and softly before approaching the skunk so it will know of your presence.
• Do not make quick/sudden moves near the skunk.
• Continue to talk softly once the skunk makes eye contact with you and slowly move closer to the skunk while talking.
• Assess the skunk's temperament and behavior. If the skunk is moving frantically in the trap, continue to talk to the skunk but don't move closer.
• Once the skunk has calmed to your presence you can slowly open the door of the trap and lock it open to release the skunk.
• If you want to relocate the skunk, cover the trap with an old sheet or tarp and then slowly move the trap. With the covering in place, you should be able to place the trap in the back of a pickup truck and transport it to a new location for release. Covering the trap will calm the skunk and limit spray if the skunk becomes defensive.

• Once you have opened the door to the trap it may take some time before the skunk will leave the trap.
• If the skunk doesn't want to leave the trap, DON'T FORCE IT OUT. Leave the area for 5 to 10 minutes (or longer) and the skunk should come out when it is ready.

Skunks are wild animals, but if treated correctly, they can be enjoyed and not feared.