Need suggestions for inexpensive spray proof live traps for skunks. Cage traps , even when covered do not stop them from spraying

I cover many cage traps and never had skunk spray. Can you re-create the situation (skunk spraying in covered trap) here for us to understand what happened?

There's no such thing as "spray proof" when it comes to skunks.

Phil, I will, I will. Customer; " I did everything just right. I wrapped the cage in a blanket, put in my trunk, everything was going great, then I hit a railroad track!

Sorry Paul, I don't buy this. Maybe WI rr tracks are more bounc and PA rr tracks are skunk-friendly. It may be that skunks just think I am a loser not worthy of their precious spray. I am not the only one here who talks to them.

Phil, I'm with you.....need more explanation on this one.

I've told this many times to folks stopping at our booth at tradeshows, but of all the skunks I've handled...10+ years doing full-time wildlife control work I only got sprayed TWICE. And I never had a skunk spray in the truck for no reason.

Once, I slipped on the ice while walking with a skunk in a cage, both feet went out from under me, cage went with me, and skunk sprayed. The other time, my own fault, I was talking to some little cutey skunks in a cage. I saw the yellow stream shoot towards my face...I tasted skunk essence that time.

Anyway, if someone is chronically having skunks spray...for no apparent reason, there is more to the story. If you're gentle with them, they'll be gentle with you !!

I couldn't agree more.

You guys got an entirely different animal than we have. Our adult skunks can almost be picked up by the ruff of the neck without spraying but some of those juveniles will shoot you on site.

I had one first year skunk spin around in the cage and nail me with one huge drop right between the eyes. The distance was incredible. You skunk whisperers would have had to yell for him to hear you.

I'm goin with Alan and Phil on this one. I've never had one spray in an enclosed trap whether it was covered or a palstic one. I'm sure there may be a renegade skunk out there or he could be old and the stuff is just leaking out. I'm not that old yet but I have heard of some old trappers having similar issues particularly in northern states that start with a W.

That may depend on personal opinion of "expensive". I have used every type of trap imaginable for skunks, and don't have problems with them spraying.... ALMOST never. The only time I had one spray was in a skunk-sized Plasti-catch (9x9). I had been using the 6-inch PVC traps for my primary skunk traps for YEARS, and the FIRST time I tried a Plasti-catch the skunk sprayed before I was within 10 feet of the trap. However, they are often very excited and perform a lot of foot stomping in ANY larger sized cage traps, covered or not. IMO nothing works better than the PVC traps (snare shop old style). Never had one spray, and they don't even get excited when moving them around. I replace the solid metal back cover with heavy wire mesh to provide a "see-through" trap, and it makes a big difference on skunks entering without hesitation. I've noticed a lot of guys claim to do better with larger sized traps for skunks, but I've caught hundreds in the PVC traps and even the biggest males seem to go right in, maybe due to my mods.

OKAY, SO THERE IS NOT SUCh A THING AS A SPRAY PROOF LIVE TRAP ,

but I believe that are some that are better, than others, at protecting the trapper from getting sprayed. Guess I'll ask the question some place else!

Well, in the last week I have caught 4 in a cage traps and just covered them with tarps. Id leave some part of it open and look at them in the truck bed and they seemed happy as can be. One stomped for a second when I was walking towards it at first, but I talked calmly to it and he let me walk right up to it in plain sight. Seems they dont want to smell like a skunk anymore than we do haha

Okay, I may have gotten off the beaten path here. Although I don't think skunks are plum crazy about going into them, I certainly have never had a skunk spray while in a Plastic Catch.

And I probably should mention that in our best year ( over 500 ) we didn't have a single skunk that sprayed. We had a huge die-off several years ago and they've never really bounced back but right now we have a few jobs going.

Skunks won't spray around their young and you're absolutely right Justin, they can't stand their own smell. ( Okay, sometimes I can't stand mine either.)

Yep Havaharts,,,,,,,,.baahhaahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa

this picture is just amazing to me... I haven't caught a skunk "proffessionly" yet, but have in the past in cage traps. I could smell them before I got there... but that was long ago, I don't know the details of the catch.. thinking back, maybe my trapping dog prolly found it first. and riled it up.. .

LT is Amazing.............. (pictured)

When I was young and stupid ( as opposed to old and stupid ) I am ( not so ) proud to say I got completely sprayed at just the distance that LT is holding that skunk.

When I say completely I mean eyes, ears, nose and throat. I was pretty scared that I would never see again but God makes some interesting stuff and skunk essence is one of those things. Entirely disables you while leaving no permanent harm. ( Okay, I'm talking physically not mentally )

Is there a story behind why it sprayed? or just not a good time...

DaGriz did seem a little grumpy but I guess getting sprayed would do that to you.

But while we're on the subject...What is your favorite skunk trap?

I've been using the 6x24 tube traps, 7x8x24 cages and 11x12x30 raccoon cage traps. I think when all is said and done, I like the 7x8x24 cages the best. Although I must admit that the skunks seem to like the raccoon traps the best.

bihg bing bihg bing........the Skunks win!!!!!!!!!!!!!