Skunks...

snoopnc · May 24, 2018

Any reason why there might be a sudden proliferation of skunks in the area. Only RARELY over the past 30+ years have we even smelled much less seen a skunk. We have seen one or two several times around the past couple weeks. Dtr. says one came towards her last night / early morning when she was out walking her service dog. She says it was making an "angry cat hiss" sound and did not appear to make other aggressive actions other than "coming towards her". She describes it as "charging" from 25 - 30 ft. distance. Fortunately she was able get away with the dog and there was no stink episode. FWIW, dtr. is using crutches to get around and this really startled her.

I saw a skunk a couple weeks ago while mowing around my shed and a couple nights later while taking dog for a walk.

Any thoughts on this?? Suggestions on getting rid of the critter(s) without causing a stink in the neighborhood.??

Elmo · May 24, 2018

Shotgun to the head, make a good shot,no stink!

Traditional Farmer · May 24, 2018

I've heard if you pick them up by the tail they can't spray,let us know if that's true or not.

Elmo · May 24, 2018

(quoted from post at 00:34:52 05/25/18) I've heard if you pick them up by the tail they can't spray,let us know if that's true or not.

It is true! I was working a downed iron wire telephone route many years ago. There was a culvert under the road and a mamma skunk and three baby’s went into the culvert and I got over the other end and waited until the last one came out. Reached down and grabbed the last one by the tail and hoisted it up. Mamma and siblings never noticed. Then my coworker started wondering what to do with it. A guy stopped and asked what I was gonna do with it. I asked if he wanted it and he did want it. Put it in a cardboard box that phones came in and gave it to him. He stopped a little ways down the road punched some holes in the box and the little skunk sprayed in the box. He threw the box and skunk in the ditch and departed the area.

grizz02 · May 24, 2018

odd this post came up I've been here 20 years never seen a skunk but 1.30 am last night my dog went crazy chased something got to the door and could smell a skunk luckily my 205 lb dog could not catch it

Steve@Advance · May 24, 2018

This is the time of year the babies are born, that would explain the sudden increase in population, and probably the aggressive behavior was to draw attention away from or protect a den.

For whatever reason, the conditions were probably extra favorable for them in your area, be it abundant food, or lack of predators.

I don't know how you would get rid of them. But securing pet food and trash will help not encourage them.

MT RON · May 24, 2018

If you pick one up by the tail they will just grab their back feet with their front ones and still spray.My Dad found that out years ago the hard way.

Case Nutty 1660 · May 25, 2018

If they are acting odd and yes aggressive they are very likely rabid,, do NOT let them bite or scratch you and do not pick them up without protection as you can get it from them, I see them go in cycles here when they get over populated they tend to get sick and die off down to a more normal population
cnt

snoopnc · May 25, 2018

Thanks CASENUTTY ... that was kinda / sorta where my thinking was, but dtr. wanted to hear what the "experts" had to say. We are much more cautious and observant now when walking the service dog and keep her on a leash.

To make a minor correction on my original posting ... the "shed" I mentioned is where I park my 4610 ... 4000SU ... 4000 4cylinder gasser and the Kubota. Gotta keep this site tractor related ... LOL!!

Dave BN · May 25, 2018

As I live in a very rural area I usually pee outside when working in the barn. Noticed lots of skunks spraying in area and believe that they were trying to cover my urine and mark their territory. Now I have to wash up and remove my shoes to pee in the house. A live trap baited with cat food will get them. A .22 shot in the back of the head will finish them off. No smell, just walk slowly up to the tap and stick the gun barrel to their head and pull the trigger. I dig a hole to bury them in first.

Dave

BobReeves · May 25, 2018

I have shot 7 or 8 skunks and have never had a shot to the head prevent spraying even with a 45 out of a 1911.

I had one charge at me in the day time once, saw him run into the tree line, grabbed my old Winchester bolt action 22 and went to the other side of the tree line and waited till he came out. As soon as he saw me he charged, easy shot from about 10 yards. Pretty sure he was rabid, skunks normally do not wonder around in the day time much less charge a human.

Skunks...

snoopnc

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Elmo

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Traditional Farmer

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Elmo

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grizz02

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Steve@Advance

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MT RON

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Case Nutty 1660

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snoopnc

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Dave BN

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BobReeves

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