It seems to be some interest in this and thought I'd post this to help motivate all those who thought they couldn't!

It's real easy and I'll try to explain it the best I can. Study the pictures they should help.

First here is the pole I have been using for at least 8 - 9 years! I'm a lil crazy and adventurous so mine is only 36" long. And yes I've put it to work many a time without having to shower outside! lol We wont talk about the few times I've been "tinkled" on, but had nothing to do with this pole!

36" piece of PVC (3/4" ID)
37" piece of aluminum (3/4" OD)
one end cap to fit the PVC



Here is the type syringe I use 12cc



I have to modify the syringe to allow it to slide up into the PVC. This is done using a knife or I have found using a Dremel tool to grind the plastic away is a lot easier . That truely is the fastest and safest way!

Notice the diameter of the plunger has been reduced and the "shoulders have been removed.



Take the PVC cap and drill a hole on the center. Approximately 3/8" to 1/2"



Next slide the aluminum pipe into the PVC. It should feel slightly snug but slide freely. If it slides too freely ... with aluminum pipe inserted gently bend over your knee ... not to much though.



Pull the aluminum pipe out to one end so that roughly 8-9 inches sticks out ... now on the opposite end slide your syringe into the end of the PVC. (you will load syringe prior to this step when using in the field)



Put the drilled cap over/through the syringe needle and just push up onto PVC. It should be a tight fit. Make sure its snug, so it wont fall off at the wrong time! Over the years I have replacedd this cap only a couple times from wear. It also doesn't hurt to keep a spare drilled end cap with you.



After you put the end cap in place remove the plastic needle sheath and you're pretty much ready to use your dispatch pole!



Push the end of the extended aluminum pole to depress the syringe.

You could always make your pole a longer length using this idea.

If at times you fear a unwanted result. Cutting a small "x" in a large piece of cardboard and pushing the pole through will give you a shield.

This is the easy part though ... now you need to learn how to use it correctly to achieve the odor free results you're looking for! Proper placement is necessary!

With some experience you'll have it figured out in no time!!!


I hope this helps.

Thanks for the great post!

Here's a follow up and different option as well (hope you don't mind PS )...

To collect skunk essence. I insert a 16ga.x1" needle (available at TSC) into the two sacks that contain the essence on either side of the vent then simply draw the syringe to suck the essence out. You can remove the sacks of essence and probably get more essence that way but this way is good enough for me,(and much cleaner) as I'm only trying to get enough to add to some of my baits, not collecting to sell, yet. I squirt the essence into a clean glass bottle and store it in a 5 gal bucket of dry dirt in shady cool location....







*NOTE: Be sure to see that possession of the syringes is legal in your state, some are not.

To kill the skunks and get no spraying, I use a solid fiberglass rod sold at Menards for use as a chimney-cleaning rod. They are about 4' long and 2 can be screwed together for a longer reach. They are smaller around and more rigid than PVC so you can get them into a cage trap easier. How you build them is you cut off one of the fittings from the end of rod with a hacksaw then using the hacksaw cut a cross into the end of the rod about 2" deep. Then cut the part of the syringe away where your thumb rests. This will make a corresponding cross on the back of syringe that will fit into the cross you cut into the pole. Slide it on the pole and epoxy it into place. Use a large diameter needle a # 16Gx1” and 10cc's of acetone in the syringe. The syringes and needles are from Tractor Supply (cheap). Feel free to PM me if you need to I know this can be hard to follow. I got this idea from someone on the trapperman web site I wish I could remember who? Use the large PVC tube for storage. Here are the pictures…. The whole rig including PVC and acetone was around $35.





*Note: Don't try to use this for dispatch of more aggressive animals such as coons, fox, coyotes, etc... as you will end up with broken needles and bitten syringes.

~ADC~

I built one the same exact way last year, never used it cause we don't have many skunks here, but cost a whole 5 bucks, I get my syringes free from my wifes office.

Great posts fella's!

No problem ADC ... GOOD INFO Thanks!

But as far as the PVC not being rigid ... well, that aint so! Especially with the aluminum pipe inserted. Perhaps if you increased the length ridiculously, but still feel that the aluminum pipe adds rigidity. And I also have a chimney sweep pole ... now that flexes!

As for use in cage traps. No problem as I cut out one section of wire to allow for it. Works for me!



Another added bonus to this design is that you depress the syringe plunger injecting as you push the pipe .. you are not having to push the animal. That might not be a problem when using the push type in cages but can see the potential for upset in foot traps?

This is the only type pole I have used so I really can't say much more about the "push against" the critter type poles.

Great post guys.

Possum skinner, why not just glue the end cap on permanently and load the syringe into the pole from the other end?

If the cap isn't snug on the pvc pipe, put a couple wraps of electical tape on the end of the pvc pipe until you get the snug fit you want. Never tried it on this set up, but it works on scope caps that want to slide of a little too easy. It should work for this too.

All you need is one of these:


And a Painting extension pole.

Construction:
1. Disassemble Syringe
2. Put plunger end through coupling, there is a ridge in the middle of the coupling so the head of the plunger will stop at that.
3. Now push coupling onto threaded end of extension pole. Tighten screw if needed.
4. Reassemble Syringe.

Done

IMHO, PS is dead on bullseye about NOT having to PUSH the skunk to depress the plunger.

I can see how that might be nice, but I've never had any trouble pushing the skunk once the syringe is in. It's getting it in that is the hard part. It's that moment you approach and they aren't sure whats going on. You stick that syringe up next to them and get [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot] and spin on you.

Once the needle is in they usually just look at it or roll onto there side.

That is my take on it. The only skunk that sprayed for me, sprayed before I even got the syringe close. He was a high strung caffeine drinking skunk that sprayed at the slightest movement. I finally had to give him a .22 to the lungs.

We need this one to go to the archives

yo dog i agree i'm not the best with computers so i think this would be great for the archive so everyone can refer to it. A little help bossman , please.

Is 16G x 1" the recommended needle size for BOTH injecting the acetone and extracting the essence?

How much acetone does it normally take to kill a skunk?

Lastly, how does it not stink when you extract and put into glass jar? I assume you need to rinse the sryinge after extracting so that it can be used longer (or the essence will break it down).

I use the same needle size for both. 16ga. x 1"

10-12cc. acetone in the syringe.

IT does stink but it's not on your hands like Wendts method of cutting out the sacks (do it however you want though).

Yes, rince the syringe, and it still won't last forever. Luckily they are very cheap. Personally I only drain a couple skunks per season. If you plan to do lots, these cheap methods are likely not for you.

~ADC~

ADC do you use all 10-12cc per skunk?

Thanks for the info.

I do. Sometimes a bit more, it's cheap too. I think 10cc. is plenty though. Get it into the chest cavity.

~ADC~

buck - i suppose you could ... i just showed the way i do it and it works for me ... should work for others ... it just turns out to be easier this way without having to remove the push pole all the time



For needles I use 16 x 1 ... I also use two seperate syringes for dispatch and essence removal. And store them seperatly also. That way I dont have to clean up between use ... too much hassle. And the syringes and needles are dirt cheap.



*** to prevent this post from being deleted please PM when discussing dispatch

ADC, is there a place in Des Moines area that sells syringes and needles? I called around today several places and could not find them, may just order over the internet. Got a medical supply place I will check on Monday.