Fri 2 Nov 2012
Hunting Season In; Hiking Season Out. And Something Stinks!
Posted by Bob under Family and Friends, Nature
1 Comment
  
(If you click on the images for larger ones, you can make out the skunk.)
The AT hike in my previous post occurred during archery hunting season, which I’m basically ok with (using a simple economic analysis, I assume that because arrows cost much more than bullets, archers will be more careful about their targets than gun users). But gun hunting season is now beginning in earnest, and I make it a practice to stay out of the woods during that period. I don’t particularly like it, but hunting is definitely part of the local culture and fortunately nearby Shenandoah National Park, where hunting is banned, is a safe alternative.
The pictures above actually tell a different story. Our two neighbors down the hill phoned us one Sunday morning in June and said that a rabid skunk was heading up our way and they were following it with a rifle. I went out back and found that the skunk had entered our outer chicken run. However it fairly quickly left it and started into our woods. Our neighbor Frank started shooting at it, but the skunk quite nonchalantly managed to escape the bullets popping around it. It ambled down toward the road, where Derek succeeded in killing it. Just as it was hit, the skunk let out its tell-tale smell, which sent us all running!
Now the fact the skunk seemed so unconcerned about the bullets flying around it seemed to confirm the diagnosis of rabies, and that may have been so. However, another local friend who knows a lot about these things says that skunks, knowingly armed with their highly effective stink, don’t frighten easily, and so it’s possible that it was simply exhibiting the self-assured nonchalance of the species. (The frequency of run-over skunks on the road might suggest the downside of that self-assurance.) Either way, it stinks!
The odor of the skunk may be cut with a knife. Two years ago we experienced the intoxicating odor of a skunk badly injuried by a car in front of the house. Not quite dead; the poor thing wandered onto the property and immediately the air became a noxious gas chamber that permeated the outside and inside of the house. Tim called the police who told him he had to call the state troopers who, while laughing, told him he needed to call animal control. This was about five in the morning. Tim apologized but told me he had to leave because he had an important meeting and so left me to suffer. The odor was wretched and a constant reminder that the skunk was laying half dead in the front yard. Animal control would not be available until 9 am. I had to resort to my neighbors. I was sure one of them had a gun. I was fortunate only to have to disturb the first unfortunate neighbor I called. He came with a pellet gun and with two shots (the 2nd for assurance sake) the deed was done. With eyes burning, we quickly grabbed a shovel and tripled bagged the poor animal. My neighbor threw the bag onto the top of his truck and drove away. He disposed of the body far into the woods. The house smelled well into the day and had left my senses useless. Fearing my neighbor was also overwhelmed; I had the florist send him a bouquet of flowers with an attached card that read: “to the day you can smell the flowers.” I will close by telling you that my cousin had had a skunk “de-fumed”. She said it was a very nice pet. The deeply spiritual side of me believes that everything is perfectly made. To this I will admit the “skunk thing” is quite unique and interesting. The pet thing; not so much especially when I am currently dealing with two rather large dogs that have been “skunked”. (p.s. cherry on the cake: was scheduled to receive fuel today. I ran out while washing the dogs. guess who had to wait to get their shower. What a challenging day or should I say today stunk!!..teehee)