Glad you were able to avoid the skunk spray. Hubby was trying to catch something that was eating his grapes a couple of weeks back.
Next morning the trap was broken. We think it was a big coon. Later, we caught a smaller one and hauled him off, but we think big ole coon is still around. He had lots of protection last year to defeat big ole coon, but some sort of fungus or disease ruined the crop instead.
I hope we get some grapes to eat one of these years.LOL
I caught one once, and didn't go right out to off it..I could hear it chrping, and chattering. Darned thing called the other raccoons to come, and they opened the trap, and got their Mommy out.
Last time I caught one, I went right out to dispatch it, and it's friend was out there. It backed off maybe 20 feet, but the dang thing was growling at me, and acting like ti was going to charge me. I fired a round into the ground, and it hightailed it.
I'm pretty sure those raccoons are stronger than I am.