Nighttime optics

[Ouachita]

My wife told me I could spend some money. She’s tired of me and the dog coming home smelling like skunk.
She gave me two choices; to find another place to sleep, or get rid of the skunks.

Now I could twist that former into a divorce, so am thinking the latter is what she really meant.

If you were to purchase the ultimate firearm and optics for skunk and armadillo, what would it be?

 

[cowman82]

they are pretty easy to trap in a live trap.

but these guys just came out with some cheaper thermal scopes.
https://www.atncorp.com/thermal-scope-thor-hd

 

[SBMF 2015]

A thermal scope on a .223
I’d probably use a 17HMR here but I don’t know if it would just ricochet off the armadillos.

 

[kenny thomas]

17 winchester super mag.

 

[Dave]

Live trap with a tarp draped over it. Have a rope tied on the tarp so once you have it caught you can pull the tarp to cover the entire trap. Hose from an exhaust pipe. Just gas the smelly critter. Shooting at night is no different than shooting in the day. They still spray 99% of the time.

They also make a trap which is made of sheet metal. Has a hole that just fits a garden hose. Skunk thinks he is hiding so remains quiet. Insert hose and turn on water. A few minutes later a dead skunk who has taken a bath.

 

[M.Magis]

Probably not worth the cost for a thermal, a night vision would be fine for what you’re wanting. But every skunk you shoot is going to spray, so not sure shooting them is the right way to go. You can eliminate 10x as many by trapping, and you can dispatch them without them spraying. Not sure about armadillos.

 

[Travlr]

17HMR with thermal optics. The advantage is that when shooting vermin around the homestead the projectile hasn't enough energy to penetrate much other than flesh so it's much less likely to cause ancillary damage. Of course this means that shot placement with an armadillo is critical... but doesn't that just make it more fun?

 

[Brute 23]

17 winchester super mag.

Where can you buy shells for one of those? I can't find them any where.

 

[Brute 23]

Shotgun with skeet choke, no rifles around the house

NV goggle would probably be pretty fun with it

 

[Dave]

If you don't want the skunk to spray shoot it with the lowest power gun possible. Maybe a 22 short. Shoot it in the chest and avoid hitting any bones. It will take it a couple minutes to die. But done right they don't spray. I shot a lot of them in coyote traps using this method. Not 100% but the best thing I found. Skunks natural enemies are owls so they are wary of things up high. Get as low as you can before shooting. Make sure the tail is down and that end isn't pointed toward you.

 

[M.Magis]

Where can you buy shells for one of those? I can't find them any where.

The bigger web sites carry it, like Midway. But its not nearly as easy to find or the variety of HMR.

 

[M.Magis]

If you don't want the skunk to spray shoot it with the lowest power gun possible. Maybe a 22 short. Shoot it in the chest and avoid hitting any bones. It will take it a couple minutes to die. But done right they don't spray. I shot a lot of them in coyote traps using this method. Not 100% but the best thing I found. Skunks natural enemies are owls so they are wary of things up high. Get as low as you can before shooting. Make sure the tail is down and that end isn't pointed toward you.

I’ve done it a bunch too, but its never worked for me. Maybe I should back off. Only once did I shoot one that didn’t spray, shot it through the lungs with a .44 rifle from about 70 yards. I left it to check more traps and the buzzards tore into it and stunk up my trap anyways.

 

[SBMF 2015]

I know several animal damage control trappers who swear by using a pole syringe and the active ingredient in finger nail polish remover.
They say to stick them in the rib cage and the skunk will just kind of crumple up and die. Never spray.
I’ve never been brave enough to try it.

 

[kenny thomas]

Where can you buy shells for one of those? I can't find them any where.

I dont seem to have any problems finding shells. Actually sold probably 20 boxes this summer because I don't shoot much.

 

[M.Magis]

I know several animal damage control trappers who swear by using a pole syringe and the active ingredient in finger nail polish remover.
They say to stick them in the rib cage and the skunk will just kind of crumple up and die. Never spray.
I've never been brave enough to try it.

Thats the go-to for skunks for most trappers. Small guage syringe loaded with acetone on a long pole. You need to approach very slowy and calm, some guys even talk to them, then very gently insert the syringe. Quick and painless. If you approach quickly and just stick them, they’re going to spray.

 

[SBMF 2015]

The Great White Hunter was successful last night!
Successful at making the calf orphanage stink to high heaven
When I got home from work last night my daughter was excitedly waiting to tell me about her adventure earlier in the day. Apparently she had gone to the calf barn to feed her cat and there was a in there. She said she quickly set down her soup can full of cat food and sprinted back to the house as fast as her five year old legs could go!
We fed calves late last night. My wife usually feeds them alone but she didn’t want to try and juggle two buckets, a bottle, a flash light, and a gun. So I fearlessly plunged forward to be her knight in shining armor.
Armed with my little side by side .410 I lead the way.
I peered through the door and there was the . . . and its brother! I said “oh boy “ and took aim. BANG! The first one didn’t even flinch or spray BANG! The second one arched its back and started twitching
I threw them out with a pitch fork but the damage was done. Our clothes all stink.
I was informed that ALL my clothes were too stay out side and I was taking a shower before bed. I didn’t think it was that bad (I’ve been sprayed way worse)
Woke up this morning laying in bed my wife says “it still smells like skunk “

 

[puzzled in oregon]

These poly live traps work really well for skunks. Most times they don't spray in this type.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

I actually released a small skunk from a leg hold trap once. May have been kinder to shoot it. But it had not sprayed, and it did not spray while I reached down and opened the tap jaws. Didn't even offer to spray after it was released.

 

[4hfarms]

We have some of each here, the dog loves to chase them.....

Get them sooner or later.

 

[4hfarms]

My wife told me I could spend some money. She’s tired of me and the dog coming home smelling like skunk.
She gave me two choices; to find another place to sleep, or get rid of the skunks.

Now I could twist that former into a divorce, so am thinking the latter is what she really meant.

If you were to purchase the ultimate firearm and optics for skunk and armadillo, what would it be?

Did you pick up a new toy yet? Interested in the review of your choice. I have been toying with the idea for a while. Just didn't make a decision. I have used them both in the army, but these are a whole new game from 20 years ago.