Skunk management question

[RunsOnAir]

Another question thrown out to y'all enablers 

I have a major skunk issue around my house and long story made short, the layout doesn't allow long range sighting and shooting. Cars, wood pile, trailer, shed, fence...
I'm pretty much stuck in a cramped space 'tactical' situation.
Believe me I would rather deal with those with some comfortable distance between us, as you can imagine. It's just not possible. Traps don't work because my dogs torment the skunks and end up smelling for weeks themselves, plus I still have to dispatch those critters. I had to trash my clothes and my skin was raw for days on my last skunk safari... I'm not even gonna talk about the smell outside, you know how that goes.

I have looked at the P-rod, but its 15fpe don't seem enough for skunks, even at such a close distance. I don't know if they can be modded high enough for my needs, and I have no clue how to do mods at this point.
I also looked at the Atman air pistols. They are out of my reach financially at the moment, and they seem to offer little more oomph at 19 fpe than the m-rod... at least on paper.

Here is where I'm making an appeal to your guys: what would work best in your opinion for that need in a very reasonable price range? I am not after a huge shot count, just quick acquisition and one shot dispatching.

Edit: I posted in PCP because I am set for PCP with 4500 psi air compressor and carbon fiber tanks. I am after a PCP solution, not a pumper or break barrel...

[dmeguy]

I'm guessing that you meant P-Rod, not M-Rod in your post. I would want something big and slow. A .25 in the 30 fpe range would be a good option. A low power tuned .25 M-Rod or Avenger would probably be my first choice.

[RunsOnAir]

I'm guessing that you meant P-Rod, not M-Rod in your post. I would want something big and slow. A .25 in the 30 fpe range would be a good option. A detuned .25 M-Rod or Avenger would probably be my first choice.

You are correct, I meant the P-rod. I just updated my first post to reflect that. thanks for pointing it out.
Regarding your suggestions, regular length rifles do not work at all for my specific need. I will have to aim and shoot in very narrow places, including between or under vehicles close to each other like in a parking lot, between spaces as narrow as a hallway, between and under workbenches, crates, lumber piles... You name it..
The springer I used did not work well and was 42" long, same as an avenger for all intended purposes. I am hoping to find something significantly shorter and manouverable. I am first looking at pistol size, then maybe carbine/bullpup. I don't know what exists and people often come up with suggestions I never knew existed.
I can run a search at Pyramyd Air, but there are gems that are only on the used market now, and some imported only by 'smaller' resellers.

[Hangtown-Shooter]

Ronin, do you have a maximum budget in mind?

Maybe you could look for a deal on a lightly used EdGun Leshiy, one of those would fit the bill nicely!

[dmeguy]

If you can still find one, a .25 Evanix Rex pistol would be a good option or even a .22.

[mrbulk]

I'm guessing that you meant P-Rod, not M-Rod in your post. I would want something big and slow. A .25 in the 30 fpe range would be a good option. A detuned .25 M-Rod or Avenger would probably be my first choice.

You are correct, I meant the P-rod. I just updated my first post to reflect that. thanks for pointing it out.
Regarding your suggestions, regular length rifles do not work at all for my specific need. The springer I used did not work well and was 42" long, same as an avenger for all intended purposes. I am hoping to find something less than 36-38 ". I am first looking at pistol size, then maybe carbine/bullpup. I don't know what exists and people often come up with suggestions I never knew existed.

I will have to aim and shoot in very narrow places, including between or under vehicles close to each other like in a parking lot, between spaces as narrow as a hallway, between and under workbenches, crates, lumber piles... You name it..

Answer 1: according to several Youtube videos of live skunks getting shot (fascinating BTW) they say head shots may cause spraying while heart/lung shots do not. Something about the skunk not identifying any threats despite being shot in the vitals, whereas a head shot creates uncontrolled nerve firing, including the ones regulating their scent glands.

Answer 2: normal rifle too long? Get an Akela... 

Skunk Shot Placement Video (just one example - there are more by this guy):

[kkarmical]

Airforce TalonP,  there's no substitute for pure hunting power.

TalonP fitted with a moderator is a very effective hunting gun, compact, lightweight, and really only need to be filled to 2900 psi.

[RunsOnAir]

Answer 1: according to several Youtube videos of live skunks getting shot (fascinating BTW) they say head shots may cause spraying while heart/lung shots do not. Something about the skunk not identifying any threats despite being shot in the vitals, whereas a head shot creates uncontrolled nerve firing, including the ones regulating their scent glands.

Answer 2: normal rifle too long? Get an Akela... 

Charlie, I was expecting you to present the Akela on that one, believe it or not! I did think about it, but it doesn't seem the best fit: It requires 2 hands and it is still on the longish side at roughly 33". I have ideas ( see below) that are a better fit on both accounts.
Thanks also for the video on skunks, I did not even think about checking how to shoot them best. It just did not cross my mind. I thought head shot.

Ronin, do you have a maximum budget in mind?

Maybe you could look for a deal on a lightly used EdGun Leshiy, one of those would fit the bill nicely!

I sadly have a limited budget in mind. I am married and want it to stay that way.  If budget hadn't been an issue, I tought the Lelya was the shortest bullpup. I'll just checked and saw the next Leshiy. Man those are sweet! in any case, they are way out of my radar/league  for now.

Airforce TalonP,  there's no substitute for pure hunting power.

TalonP fitted with a moderator is a very effective hunting gun, compact, lightweight, and really only need to be filled to 2900 psi.

Yes, I concur so far. I saw that one as my most likely 'best fit' from a search of the most obvious websites. .25 cal pistol. Loud without a moderator, but I don't care at that point. I did not mention it as I did not want to steer the conversation in a specific direction. (to be 100% honest, I wasalso  hoping for a cheaper option )

[triggertreat]

That new $300 Avenger might be the cheapest way out.  Those who have them already are claiming great accuracy (relative terms).  That gun is regulated, so as long as you can pump above the regulated setting you'll be able to shoot a plenty.  25 caliber would be my choice.  Yes, a heart shot will drop them very quickly with very low risk of spraying.

[RunsOnAir]

That new $300 Avenger might be the cheapest way out.  Those who have them already are claiming great accuracy (relative terms).  That gun is regulated, so as long as you can pump above the regulated setting you'll be able to shoot a plenty.  25 caliber would be my choice.  Yes, a heart shot will drop them very quickly with very low risk of spraying.

Keith, I love the avengers and I have one in .22 coming in a couple of weeks  , but I know its dimensions won't work at all for my specific purpose. If I could make it a semi bullpup, maybe, but I'm not keen on tackling such a project atm...

[triggertreat]

That new $300 Avenger might be the cheapest way out.  Those who have them already are claiming great accuracy (relative terms).  That gun is regulated, so as long as you can pump above the regulated setting you'll be able to shoot a plenty.  25 caliber would be my choice.  Yes, a heart shot will drop them very quickly with very low risk of spraying.

Keith, I love the avengers and I have one in .22 coming in a couple of weeks  , but I know its dimensions won't work at all for my specific purpose. If I could make it a semi bullpup, maybe, but I'm not keen on tackling such a project atm...

Okay,  I didn't realize you were looking for a 'truck gun' of sorts. There are a number of bullpups and smaller gun platforms out there.  Hope you find what you are looking for.  I have popped a few with my .22 Marauder.  Shot placement is the key.

[RunsOnAir]

That new $300 Avenger might be the cheapest way out.  Those who have them already are claiming great accuracy (relative terms).  That gun is regulated, so as long as you can pump above the regulated setting you'll be able to shoot a plenty.  25 caliber would be my choice.  Yes, a heart shot will drop them very quickly with very low risk of spraying.

Keith, I love the avengers and I have one in .22 coming in a couple of weeks  , but I know its dimensions won't work at all for my specific purpose. If I could make it a semi bullpup, maybe, but I'm not keen on tackling such a project atm...

Okay,  I didn't realize you were looking for a 'truck gun' of sorts. There are a number of bullpups and smaller gun platforms out there.  Hope you find what you are looking for.  I have popped a few with my .22 Marauder.  Shot placement is the key.

Keith, I have just come to realize that shot placement is everything. If heart or lung shot is what I'm after, some people have advised to use pellets that would zip through the heart rather than going for knock down power as to not startle them and avoid spraying.
If that is the case, I may be able to use a .22 with zippy pellets. if past experience is any indication, I'm going to shoot 95% of them within 20 feet, so accuracy will be there no matter what.

[mrbulk]

.

[mrbulk]

I'm going to shoot 95% of them within 20 feet, so accuracy will be there no matter what.

Dang it Ronan, twenty feet? Hey even I could hit from that close - lemme know if ya needs help. 

[RunsOnAir]

I'm going to shoot 95% of them within 20 feet, so accuracy will be there no matter what.

Dang it Ronan, twenty feet? Hey even I could hit from that close - lemme know if ya needs help. 

Sure!
From up close, it's gonna be an explosion of olfactive experiences  especially in the nice 90+ degrees weather we enjoy at the moment 

[triggertreat]

I'm going to shoot 95% of them within 20 feet, so accuracy will be there no matter what.

Dang it Ronan, twenty feet? Hey even I could hit from that close - lemme know if ya needs help. 

Sure!
From up close, it's gonna be an explosion of olfactive experiences  especially in the nice 90+ degrees weather we enjoy at the moment 

They are gonna stink no matter what.  I have had lots of experiences having had a yorkie that thought they were just dogs his size.

[RunsOnAir]

They are gonna stink no matter what.  I have had lots of experiences having had a yorkie that thought they were just dogs his size.

I totally agree with you: they are gonna stink no matter what. That is sadly a given: I'm no expert, but my personal experience shows a 100% failure in that regard with the 5 skunks I have killed to this day.
The last 2 ones, though, sprayed everything they had before I could even shoot them. That stuff burns insulation foam like crazy by the way. Not that it matters as I had to remove the panels and patch the area due to the smell... I also had a recliner in my garage/workshop area and to the dump it went also due to the spray.
But what I am trying to achieve is to get dead skunks with the minimal kind of stink possible. Before they get in my garage (fool me once...)

What I am good at is grabbing a shovel and scooping up those dead skunks super fast and tossing them super far. If you have tried, you know it's actually not that easy to do... For the one shot kills, there's room for improvement as the saying goes

[csitas]

I have done this for pay. Be for warned a skunk can pee the twenty feet your talking. MAN , you don't want that. Lung shot , with out hitting or breaking any bones, no smell. I'd rather trap them , either foot or live trap. I made a injector so to speak . Put them down instantly.  Corse my method is not as much fun as shooting. But , will clear the area with no one the wiser.

[cmatera]

With skunks, it’s not they MAY spray if shot in the head (or spine), they WILL spray.  If you need a truck type gun, on the low price end I would recommend the Artemis P15 in .22.  I would not recommend it in .25, because it will not likely end up being low priced.  In a mid range price, the AGT Vulcan BPS would be hard to beat.  Hint-buy it at Krale in the Netherlands.
Heart/lung shot only.  Stay off the head, stay off the spine, stay off the shoulder.  I don’t use traps or poisen.  Too great a chance to hurt someones pet.

[anti-squirrel]

Kral Puncher Breaker.  Compact BP, won't break the bank.  Known for good barrels.  The 1st gen had some issues but Kral resolved those.  BTW, Kral appears to be making the 3 new Crosman guns (Akela and the other 2).  The NP-01 by Kral is a contender as well.  It is a compact pistol with a carbine stock.  I'm certain one in .22 using NSAs or FX Hybrid slugs would solve the stink-problem with heart-lung shots.

Regarding the Leshiy and Lelya- I own both in .25 (plus several .22 barrels for the Leshiy).  Should you ever go down the EdGun path, you will find these guns are more than worth the coin you spend.  I've taken several pest birds (English House Sparrows and Starlings) at ridiculous distances for me using the .22 350mm barrel and NSA slugs shooting under at only 650 FPS at the muzzle and the slugs simply ignored crosswind.  However, with both currently set up using .25 barrels my girlfriend and I have trimmed pinecones at 50+ yards shooting into Canaan Valley from a ridge while shooting freehand.  The EdGuns are tools to be used and are far more durable than pretty much anything else made.

I advise checking out Krale-Schietsport and Aceros-de-Hispania.  Both websites are in the EU and both had solid reps here.  Mundilar is another I've heard good things about but I have not yet ordered from them.


Edit:  looks like Norica has finally gone down the PCP pathway- similar looks on the side-lever Viriatus to the Cometa Orion Advanced bullpup, where the Darkbull from Norica is vaguely SPA-ish but looks to be a straight "charging handle bolt" cocker.  Norica is using LW barrels and the general quality is good on their stuff.

Lobo makes the Hound bullpup, and Walther has the Reign.  All these are gonna run more than $700 though.