Falcons and skunks

John_Del · 09-08-2009, 07:04 PM

Let me preface this by saying that if I had the power to completely wipe from the face of the Earth any one species of animal, it would be the skunk.

Again last night, about 65 degrees and dry in New England; a beautiful evening. I have the whole house fan running pulling in a beautiful breeze from outside. Then the skunk fog attacks, and the house is quickly filled with that obnoxious skunk smell. I quickly shut down the fan and run around the house closing all the windows, but it's too late. Hours later, and the smell still lingers.

Does anyone know any way to discourage skunks from settling in a particular area? One of my buddies suggested a Falcon (the bird). Very funny. I'd try poisoning the damned thing, but I'd be afraid of hurting neighbor's pets. Any ideas?

John

AzPete · 09-08-2009, 08:00 PM

Trap and remove at least 15 miles away.

jmoffett · 09-08-2009, 08:15 PM

A shotgun is foolproof, but a .22 makes less mess.

nanceb · 09-08-2009, 09:05 PM

You can trap them But it can get a bit smelly.I had a problem with them this summer the best thing I have found to get rid of them

Get the picture.

AzPete · 09-08-2009, 09:17 PM

I have trapped and moved many with never a problem. Shooting could cause a good release of the perfume. One of the big problems you had to begin with is you closed the house and trapped the smell inside. The smell out side normally drifts off in 10-15 min. Once you closed the house, it was yours to keep. In the past, I have always kept the windows open and aired the house out with fans.

Burgandy66 · 09-08-2009, 09:30 PM

If you can shoot it, hit it in the head and the possibility exists that it won't spray. Shoot it anywhere else and all bets are off.

We have a problem one here right now and we are baiting it far enough from the house that it can't hit us. Then use the spot light and the .308 on it. Crosshairs right between the eyes.

Waiting for it to show back up.....

KL

solomaniac · 09-08-2009, 09:55 PM

A few years ago my cat-hating BIL trapped a skunk instead and got sprayed. Last time he tried to trap cats.....

silverblueBP · 09-08-2009, 10:28 PM

Just had one this morning, was about 200 yds from the house. Had it meandered another 100 yds closer instead of going away, it would not have seen tomorrow. I felt charitable......today.

+1 on the .308...works great. .22, not so much, at least in my experience.

midpack · 09-09-2009, 07:04 AM

We used Fox urine. The scent of a predator tends to discourage prey.... the cure was almost worse than the disease though.

crey · 09-09-2009, 12:53 PM

If fox urine will keep skunks away, human urine might work too. It sure kept the deer out of the garden (until we gave up due to weeds). You have to keep applying it regularly though, especially after a rain. Fortunately it's cheap, easily obtained and, if you're out of view of the neighbors, easy to apply. Apply it across the path the pesky critter uses to approach your place.

masergt · 09-09-2009, 01:16 PM

I hit a skunk with a Falcon once. Completely forgot about it until I saw this thread. 1963 Falcon Sprint 260 4spd. Skunk was pretty regular looking.

\washed off.