I just bought a 20 ga. Remington 870 Wingmaster with 26 inch bbl and 3 chokes. I need to use this gun to shoot skunks that tear my lawn all to hell. The plan is to kill the skunk without it releasing it's stink if possible. Since I know nothing about the various loads and ammo availible I thought I'd ask you people for advice. What choke and what load/brand ammo would do the job for me? Thanks.
20 ga. question
- Thread starter JimmieA.
- Start date
It wont spray if you kill it instant. Dont get to close. I had the same issue a few weeks ago, damn skunk kept getting in the garage. caught it in a live trap and blew it away with a 12 gauge. I used a magnum goose shot in BB, didn't want to take any chances.
R&R Rancher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoba's Interlake
+1000! I've found if you are going to shoot them, let them run away and shoot them away from the buildings if you can. Or live trap them, transport them a long ways aways and shoot them as they leave the trap
Four were shot this summer and one of them sprayed, the rest didn't. This was with a 16 gauge gun. Edit: Forgot to say I have tried trapping a few times and seems like the mice eat the bait before the skunk gets there. Have a nice shiny trap but no skunk in it.
) experience in dispatching smelly cats , it seems if they are not on alert they rarely spray but if they are nervous they almost always spray.It doesn't matter if the skunk dies of a heart attack, old age or a gunshot to the head. When anything dies the sphincter muscles which hold in urine, feces, skunk sent, etc etc. relax which releases the liquid. Each body after death reacts a little different to the time it takes for these muscles to relax. Also dependant on the amount of liquid these muscles were holding back at the time of death.
This happens to humans as well as animals. It is common occurrance after a person dies to find that bodily fluids have seeped from rectum and urinary tract. If you shoot the skunk and it dies quickly the above occurance will take place it is just a matter of time and how much liquid seeps out.
This happens to humans as well as animals. It is common occurrance after a person dies to find that bodily fluids have seeped from rectum and urinary tract. If you shoot the skunk and it dies quickly the above occurance will take place it is just a matter of time and how much liquid seeps out.
If the skunk doesn't suspect anything and you nail it good with anything from #2 to #6 shot (thats what I use) It won't have a chance to spray. If it's on red alert before you let him have it you can figure on some stink. Full choke would probably be your best choice.
Last edited:
Nothing better than blasting a skunk at close range with a shotgun. Up the rear is best. All the tree huggers need to watch a skunk going from duck nest to duck nest in the spring. BOOM! Let the worms have 'em. Anyone in any doubt about how I feel about skunks?
For a scientific explaination, see post 9
I third what trebor2880 suggests too!
The skunk is going to spray what ever it has in its scent glands...not so much as spray as release up its demise.
Have you tried to persuade it to move into another yard?
Have you though of some coyote urine spread around the yard?
Tight Groups,
Rob
fishslinger
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern ontario
Head shot full choke # 4 shot Turkey loads and you will be good to go.
If you kill the skunk instantly very little of the stinky stuff will leak out. I have seen it done. Wound one and he will dump the whole payload. Skunks expel their scent very forcefully, that's how they can hit your dog in the face from six feet away. If they are dead they don't spray lacking the muscle impulses to do so.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
We have a poultry farm located in good skunk habitat, it is a magnet for skunks. I have shot many, many skunks with shotguns - mostly with 12ga., some with 20 or .410 and a bunch with .22's. Just for example my brother and I shot 27 in one three night period on our farm when we were teens. Of the dozens of skunks I have shot, maybe one or two did not spray, all the rest sprayed enough that you would not want the smell right near your house. Live trapping in a box trap covered by a plastic bag is the safe bet. If you shoot, try to move the skunk away from the house first. Any lead shot load from #6 to BB will do the trick for side on or head on shots, #4 or bigger for running away shots. A full choke pattern is most effective if you can center the skunk. If your aim is a bit off, modified will give you a little more leeway and still kill well. Good luck with your skunk problem!
It is OK to go smaller, eg 2 3/4 shell in a 3 inch chamber. The opposite is not true. A three inch shell in a 2 3/4 chamber is unsafe. It will slide in nice and seem to fit but do not be fooled. Spend some time with that manual as you mentioned. It is time well spent.
