North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>]

On Jun 30, 2008, at 7:32 PM, Stephen Sadler wrote:
. . .
> As far as spraying, it's not something they like to do.  They'll do  
> it when
> threatened; so people will experience dogs getting skunked, and young
> foolish boys, but you don't find many skunkified deer or grownups.   
> Walking
> by would not usually be a threat requiring chemical warfare;  
> barking and
> growling, or poking with a stick, would draw a response. . .

I'll second the "they won't bother you if you don't bother them"  
comment.

One day I looked out my window to see what looked like a skunk with a  
4 foot long undulating tail.  Upon closer inspection, it was a mama  
skunk with about a dozen babies all following after her (and looking  
like an extended tail.)  They were adorable, and it was a remarkable  
enough event that I took my children out so we could all get a better  
look.  We were careful not to directly threaten mama, but we got  
within 15 or 20 feet or her and watch the family as it strolled  
across my lawn.  She never even threatened to spray.

Skunks ordinarily threaten before then let loose.  They tap their  
feet, and then aim.   If you back away when they tap their feet, they  
will leave you alone.  (I'm told they'll do a handstand after the  
foot tapping and before spraying, but I've never let it get that far.)

They are highly visible, so unless you are trying to get at "their"  
food (the dog food) or you're in the habit of walking around  
blindfolded, I doubt you'll ever be in a situation when there's any  
chance of being sprayed.  Skunks go in my "live and let live"  
category of wildlife.

Ginda