Skunk Down, Skunk Down! LoL
- Thread starter bamashooter
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Believe it or not, cougars will take one occasionally.
We had an over-population of skunks, raccoons, and foxes at our last place. All three were heck on chickens, ducks, and geese around the barnyard.
I trapped them with a live trap. Could dispatch the foxes and raccoons just by walking up to the trap and using a .22. With skunks, however, I stood 25 yards away and shot for the head. Used my Ruger M7722 with a 1.75 x 4 power scope shooting CCI mini-mag hollow points. Ninety-five percent of the time is was a one-shot kill, but they always released. Sometimes almost immediately, other times within five or ten minutes or so. Yep, the minute those ol' sphincter muscles relaxed...PHEW!
I'd always have a hole dug before I shot the skunks. That way, I could shot them and dump 'em in the hole before things got too bad. Usually, the smell could be minimized by throwing a couple of shovels full of dirt over the area where the trap sat and where the skunk released. Even with that, however, it was pretty evident to all within the vicinity that we'd had skunk problems.
Skunks are infamous for being carriers of rabies. We would occasionally see them in the daytime, walking around in a stupor. Sure sign that they were sick.
Looking back on it, I've probably shot enough skunks in my lifetime to make Ms. Judy a fur coat with matching handbag and set of slippers.
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VaTom
Member
Skunks do not like lights. They were digging up my wife's peonies and tulip bulbs. Put some motion activated solar powered small flood lights in flower beds. Seems to have help. Live in suburb so can't shoot them.
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OP
So there it is.
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cgt4570
Member
My buddy had trouble with them getting his chicken eggs. He would live trap them with a long rope tied to the trap. He'd drag the full trap down to a creek and let it sink. He said they never sprayed because he was so far away.
Skunks are not often seen around here, maybe very couple of months or so I'll see a dead one or get a whiff of one killed on the road. Never saw one in the yard yet, we don't have a dog anymore so I don't worry about them causing any damage.
'Possums and Racoons are everywhere, if I catch one in my Persimmon or Fig or Orange trees they are fair game.
Steve W
'Possums and Racoons are everywhere, if I catch one in my Persimmon or Fig or Orange trees they are fair game.
Steve W
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OP
I have shot several in the head and no release. I have shot dozens in the body broadside and I bet at the very most 10 have sprayed. And a few of those 10 I kept pursuing through the spray of course paying for it but not giving a damn. But almost regretting it. Interesting factoid. Of the wounded skunks, not all that many really, I can recall perhaps one which didn't initially run directly toward me til I dropped it. And that's with the yard lit up like a football field. I have lots of bright security lights.
True story. Last year I go out on the front porch for a smoke. Probably around 9pm. I'm on one end of the porch and see "something" out between my shop and pasture fence. About 40 meters. It's an armadillo as I hit all security lights (16). Closer to the pasture fence than not coming back to the house in the following order is another armadillo, a skunk, a kitty cat fast walking along the fence, a bunny rabbit, and another skunk. I'm like WTH? I take out the farthest armadillo, the rabbit runs but I would not have shot it or the kitty, The closest skunk, the 2nd armadillo, and lastly the 2nd skunk. Three one shot skills (10/22 using a laser). The second skunk was one of those that loved lead. And he sprayed. I chased him in multiple directions between the house and shop. He finally fled to the pasture and I was so pumped I ran to the gate, ran through the pasture went only a head lamp (but decent) and finally finished him about another 20 meters away on the pond levee. That was quite the event.
As I stated, I get no joy from shooting them. But I'm not going to suffer their wrath. I have no idea how many skunks transit my immediate yard. But plenty spray or have just sprayed as they do and it's too bad for them and their kin. No spray, no kill 'em all. No dillos destroying the yard and pasture, no dead dillos. Just walk on by and we're all good.
True story. Last year I go out on the front porch for a smoke. Probably around 9pm. I'm on one end of the porch and see "something" out between my shop and pasture fence. About 40 meters. It's an armadillo as I hit all security lights (16). Closer to the pasture fence than not coming back to the house in the following order is another armadillo, a skunk, a kitty cat fast walking along the fence, a bunny rabbit, and another skunk. I'm like WTH? I take out the farthest armadillo, the rabbit runs but I would not have shot it or the kitty, The closest skunk, the 2nd armadillo, and lastly the 2nd skunk. Three one shot skills (10/22 using a laser). The second skunk was one of those that loved lead. And he sprayed. I chased him in multiple directions between the house and shop. He finally fled to the pasture and I was so pumped I ran to the gate, ran through the pasture went only a head lamp (but decent) and finally finished him about another 20 meters away on the pond levee. That was quite the event.
As I stated, I get no joy from shooting them. But I'm not going to suffer their wrath. I have no idea how many skunks transit my immediate yard. But plenty spray or have just sprayed as they do and it's too bad for them and their kin. No spray, no kill 'em all. No dillos destroying the yard and pasture, no dead dillos. Just walk on by and we're all good.
OP
I have opossums now and then. I used to shoot them too. Now I give them a break. Oh that reminds me. You gotta see this link. Too funny. My youngest kid takes after me - General Talk - AR15Armory.com
We have raccoons but I've never seen an active one. They're safe around me.
Hmmm. Having taught Hunter Safety for 28 years, firing into the brush because you "saw leaf movement," no matter if you "knew precisely where it was based on your expertise," and preferring to wound an animal and "let them run off into the pastures" really goes against everything we try to teach young hunters.
I'll just let it go at that. Anything else and I'll probably get dinged.
I'll just let it go at that. Anything else and I'll probably get dinged.
watsonrg
Member
Skunks will tear up your lawn digging for grubs.
I used an air rifle with a well aimed head shot.
I remember one that dumped his gland where he fell. That smell was there for weeks.
I used an air rifle with a well aimed head shot.
I remember one that dumped his gland where he fell. That smell was there for weeks.
OP
Appreciate your input. You teach them your way and I'll mold their little minds my way. Oh look, it's snowing. Hope you have a safe space. Run along now.Hmmm. Having taught Hunter Safety for 28 years, firing into the brush because you "saw leaf movement," no matter if you "knew precisely where it was based on your expertise," and preferring to wound an animal and "let them run off into the pastures" really goes against everything we try to teach young hunters.
I'll just let it go at that. Anything else and I'll probably get dinged.
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If you live out in the country sometimes you need to thin the herd no matter what animal you're talking about. As far as skunks go I don't know if I ever shot one that didn't spray. Toughest critters I've ever shot.....Racoons. They are tough!
OP
Have never shot a coon and doubt if I ever would short of running across a rabid or "evil" one. Enjoy hearing those coon dogs though off in the distance. Wish I didn't have to shoot any of them however as you said out here in rural USA it ain't all that simple at times. Have only shot 2 coyotes in 20+ years due to attacking calves otherwise they get a free pass (which doesn't sit well with some).
Watchdog
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Hmmm. Having taught Hunter Safety for 28 years, firing into the brush because you "saw leaf movement," no matter if you "knew precisely where it was based on your expertise," and preferring to wound an animal and "let them run off into the pastures" really goes against everything we try to teach young hunters.
Chip, I wish I could hit the "Like" button more than once for your post.
It's well said, direct, and to the point.
gwpercle
Member
Around here the skunks biggest enemy is the speeding automobile...at night !
My daughter hit a skunk one night, center of radiator grill , and that car smelled skunky for month's. She claimed on a hot rainy day it still smelled 3 years later when she traded it in.
Not much else bothers them except Great Horned Owls, dumb dogs and people .
Gary
My daughter hit a skunk one night, center of radiator grill , and that car smelled skunky for month's. She claimed on a hot rainy day it still smelled 3 years later when she traded it in.
Not much else bothers them except Great Horned Owls, dumb dogs and people .
Gary
ChattanoogaPhil
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I think we've about covered skunk hunting.
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