Paul this is for you because I remember what you said about the size of trap you use. To keep it short a friend called just before dark and ask what to do with a skunk in a live trap. Again to keep it short, I ended up going over to give him a hand. He had a skunk in a 12x12x36 inch cage trap. This skunk was not happy. He would run from end to end and stomp his feet when he turned around. He just would not settle down, to not help matters he had the 24 inch peace of rail road track with a chain on top of the trap. In short the trap was WAY to big for the skunk. But when I seen the trap I thought of you :>)

I'm fond of a 9X9 safeguard for skunks. I have captured some in larger traps by accident but not on purpose. Never have even tried a tube trap. I guess I'm just set in my ways. I have never had any problems with catching a skunk. I'm with Everet, troubles usually come with incidentals or picking up homeowner captures in larger traps or ones a dog has riled up. I usually charge more for homeowner captures just because they tend to be troublesome.

I don't have a problem with the bigger cage traps. For me, it is easier to get the skunk to turn sideways to do what I have to do. Skunks after dark are never good.

Jim, we cannot use acetone on caged animals here. Can only use sodium phenobarbital however to use that you must have a class 3 narcotics license so its kind of a catch 22. That leaves gunshot, body grip or co2. So I use mine for science, release and test terminal ballistics.

Travis, I have done this exactly one time. The same size cage you just referred to, with two large skunks in it. Like you said, not on purpose. They weren't exactly the Doublemint Twins. You know, double the pleasure, double the fun.

I would say that sounds like lots of things but fun sure wouldn't be one of them!

9x9 Safeguard? Are you sure they're not Tomahawks?

All we use are the 12x12x36s. When I go after skunks I put a contractor bag around it. They never fail to dig the bottom out, but the top and all sides are covered. It keeps them a bit calmer and people see a garbage bag and not a trap. People are less likely to investigate a garbage bag behind a bush, etc.

Steve and Travis; If it's 9x9, it's my favorite cage, the Tomahawk 9x9x26 inch. ( I actually have it in 3 different wire sizes )

If it's my favorite skunk/opossum Safeguard, it's 7x8x24 inch. Here is what is amazing: I really like this cage and so does everyone

that works for us. But, we have caught 3 or 4 raccoons in that cage for every other animal that we have caught! I'm sure this is a

reason for my stressing of smaller cages. 3 out of my last 4 raccoons were pulled from two of those Safequards. While it speaks

quite highly of my raccoon catching prowess, it does nothing for the actual job, catching skunks!

Maybe they are 7X8 I've always called them 9X9 but never measured.

Ahhh yes. The Safeguard 7x8x24 Pro series with a rear sliding door.

It's pretty much the perfect skunk trap.

That's the one

I know Matt Chittwood in Tennessee likes to use a 6x8x30 double door.

Let's not get into another my trap is bigger than yours conversation....please!

I am getting so I use smaller traps all the time. I am looking at some double door trap. Mine are mostly single door or cheap double door. You get what you pay for IMO. I may go to the 18 inch but that sure seem short. But I know lot of guy use them.

I like the 3x4 gutter trap for squirrels. The smaller traps are very effective, if not more so. The only issue is getting critters to back up if you don't have a rear door.

Everet, if you think that an 18inch two-door Comstock is short for 10 pound skunks, wait until you catch your first 30 pound raccoon

in one. As amazing as it may seem, the shorter the cage, the healthier the animal.

Paul - quit promoting Comstock....we don't want him to run out of stock.

Okay Dave, I get it. Everet, wait until you catch your first 30 pound raccoon in a two-door Havahart and the the raccoon takes the

door in his paws and twists it so hard that it bends and he can walk right out. ( This happened to me twice ) I'm not a fast study.

This I have to agree with. Squeeze them in and less bloody noses or raw forearms.