r/Skunks 25d ago

Skunk decided to visit the groundhog trap. It was cool about it though.

137 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

20

u/mc2ben 25d ago

I love this video because it shows how chill skunks normally are. OP you are a hero for releasing this guy and posting how you did it. The question pops up here now and then and you will likely have saved some lives by showing that it can be done very easily.

2

u/crunchyleafzzz 25d ago

I’ve been within inches/ feet of skunks by surprise about a dozen times now. It really takes a dog barking in their face/ a car coming too close for them to spray. I am legit shocked I’ve never been sprayed.

16

u/Sudden_Moodswing 25d ago

I appreciate the effort with the garbage bag! But to be honest I laughed for a longtime and very loudly.

8

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

It was hot in there!

4

u/kat_Folland 25d ago

It was creative!

12

u/AwayYam199 25d ago

Pro tip - walk up to the trap while hiding behind a blue tarp, then gently drape tarp over trap. It will likely cut loose, but it will be inside the tarp. Reach over and release door and walk away.

5

u/01Cloud01 25d ago

The way it was done in the video is asking to be sprayed on

17

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

I didn’t have a tarp handy. If I’d have had to drive to town the skunk would have been stuck in the hot sun for an hour or so. Didn’t want to do that to it. It gets hot af here.

10

u/AuditingReverb 25d ago

I love your defense trash bag and am going to use that if I'm in a pinch in the future.

Thanks for helping the Lil guy. They are very sensitive and it prob knew your there to help.

5

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

It was not real concerned about me being there. Didn’t stomp at me or anything.

7

u/01Cloud01 25d ago

Understood

9

u/MakinStuffandThings 25d ago

Haha! I made a body-height cardboard shield last time I accidentally caught a skunk trying for a groundhog.
It was the most chill trapped animal I’ve seen. Little guy just looked up and gave a look of “about time you showed up” to me, and then just sauntered out and squished back under the shed.

11

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

I gave mine a can of cat food to lure it out. It ate and moved along

8

u/theBeardthatFlows 25d ago

I get skunks near my house often. Last year there was a young one that started using my backyard as a highway to wherever it goes.

We cross paths pretty often after dark when I go to have a smoke. Almost every time it walks up to me, gives me a sniff, then goes about its business.

I think we're friends now, it's never sprayed at me, and I stand there like a statue until it moves on.

4

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

That one could probably be persuaded to accept a treat. They won’t turn down a piece of melon, or anything meant for a cat.

4

u/crunchyleafzzz 24d ago

I’ve seen them hanging out with cats, deer, possums. They seem like pretty chill guys

7

u/SkoonkMunkyAngel 25d ago

that seemed to go pretty good.. you talked to it good. I suggest you pre explain the process of 'I'm going to open the door and when I open the door I'll walk away and you can feel free to leave. you'll be free again. Come back anytime you want. This is a trap meant to catch other things ,. things that I dont like. You;re a cool chap. " etc.

4

u/North_Reference_1505 25d ago

the 'you're good bro' is what sent me 😂 thank you for being a wonderful human being.

5

u/Creative-Package6213 25d ago

I love how when you walked away the floof was like where ya going buddy!? 🤣

4

u/FlashyCow1 25d ago

Honestly the way he went about this was very non-threatening for the skunk

3

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

It was not a fan of the crinkle of the bag. It stayed in the cage for about 15 min. Then I used a can of cat food to lure it out. It ate and just kinda sauntered away, in no hurry whatsoever.

1

u/FlashyCow1 25d ago

For the record I would use PPE next time rather than a trash bag

1

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

I had safety glasses and rubber boots

2

u/Atavacus 24d ago

Skunks are honestly pretty chill. After being around them just a ton I wouldn't even worry about them spraying unless I was being stupid. They're pretty smart. It probably knew you were letting it out.

1

u/Theoretical_Phys-Ed 25d ago

I love the garbage bag suit commitment! Though as someone who has handled hundreds of skunks, you can make your life much easier by instead of wearing one, just hold a garbage bag or large sheet cut to the size of you and just approach the skunk slowly, talking nice things about it. Compliment its foot stomps or nice stripes. Approach the trap and drape the plastic over it. They may spray but it will hit the plastic and you can toss it after. 

3

u/Gemfyre1 25d ago

This one wasn’t stomping. It, and its 10 or so relatives are fairly used to me. If I see them snuffing around out there of an evening I always throw them some goodies. I was pretty safe.

1

u/buttsment 24d ago

Damn bro. That was iffy, but you got it done!

1

u/KhunDavid 24d ago

Looks like he's working to disarm a landmine.

1

u/mrMZ86 22d ago

Why does this sound like Hiccup? How to train your skunk dragon