Skunk Problem

bachse · 09-07-2011, 03:28 PM

So recently we went out camping and as per my normal camping habits I woke up freakishly early. Upon leaving the safety of my tent, I was greeted by a fat little skunk, who appeared to be eating an apple core or something. All of this prompted me to quickly return to the tent. However, it got me wondering, does anyone know what one should do when one's campsite has been taking hostage by a skunk?

Grandpa · 09-07-2011, 06:23 PM

As long as you negotiate face to face there is no problem.

Eaglescout 49 · 09-07-2011, 08:44 PM

Stay in the tent until the skunk goes away. Don't tangle with it -- at best you'll get sprayed; at worst you'll get bit. It will eventually go away.

The culprit here (as in the Garden of Eden) is the apple, which probably attracted the skunk in the first place.

Before you retire for the night, police your campsite thoroughly and remove any food, scraps and garbage, and put them in tightly sealed containers or bury them. Make sure the containers are really sealed to prevent that other great campsite pest, the raccoon, from paying a visit (I always wish I had a raccoon around when dealing with "child-proof" medicine bottles).

It is a serious matter. Raccoons are thought to be the leading vector for rabies in the US, and skunks aren't far behind. If they can't find anything to eat, they will leave.

There are both commercial and homemade repellents (check them out via Google). When camping in parts of the state where skunks and raccoons are common, I spray the perimeter of the campsite with commercial housecat repellent. I don't know if it really works or not, but I've had no trouble with four-legged guests.

ponderosa · 09-07-2011, 09:49 PM

"Before you retire for the night, police your campsite thoroughly and remove any food, scraps and garbage, and put them in tightly sealed containers or bury them."

Respectfully, please DO NOT bury garbage or food scraps. That is very outdated advice, not endorsed by any land manager today, (and many animals will dig it up anyway). Secure your trash in a method more reliable for keeping it away from animals, and in keeping with Leave No Trace principles. In a developed campground, use the provided trash cans. In a primitive drive-in site, store it in your vehicle, unless you're in an area where bears have learned to break into cars (the California Sierra). In the backcountry, bag it and hang it from a tree, (at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet from the trunk), or use an approved storage device (bear cannister or Ursak).

Lamebeaver · 09-07-2011, 10:04 PM

Skunks aren't usually aggressive. Don't bother them and they won't bother you. They are also rather near-sighted, so they're likely to wander right up to you without knowing it. Don't try to shoo them away.

CatsEye · 09-07-2011, 10:40 PM

My wife and I were hiking once in a state park near our home. We came upon a hill that they had made log and dirt steps to the top of. It was a rather strange shaped hill that sort of looked like an Indian mound but much bigger. As we crested the hill, we spotted, at the same time, a group of three skunks. We left the way we had come up and rather quickly. Everyone is correct in saying that you need to properly store your garbage so there are not any attractants available to tempt the skunk. Scared ya though, didn't it? : )

oldsarge · 09-09-2011, 07:30 PM

It's been two weeks since both my dogs got nailed by a skunk. And I mean nailed big time, they were both soaked all about the head and shoulders. There must be skunk scent all over the yard because they keep coming in with a faint odor. Now that we are getting more rain and the hounds are coming in wet, they still smell. God I hope they learned their lesson!

dinosaur · 09-11-2011, 08:18 AM

And everytime they get wet, they'll stink. Get some "Skunk Away". It's a spray that will neutralize that smell quickly.

Wild Rose · 09-11-2011, 09:10 AM

I have never had a skunk come up to my campsite, even when I was in the middle of the woods. I have had a racoon steal my marshmallows in a crowded campground. I was so sad, because later on we could not have s'mores.

Cappy · 09-11-2011, 10:05 AM

Skunks, coons, bears all invade camp sites for the same reason. They smell food. If ya tailgatin' (camped by ya vehicle) keep garbage and food stored there. In an earlier post I mentioned we use multiple ice chests. If ya aint got a trash can close ya can put food scraps in an empty ice chest to protect them. Also a splash of bleach will stop most critters from gettin' in a trash bag. Please don't get mad at me but I figure if a critter gets in ya stuff its your fault not it's. Be glad ya aint camping in Cajun country, cause we also have gaters to wory about.