Skunks “Tree” Their Prey ?

Skunks “Tree” Their Prey ?

             Most wild animals that have been fed by people logically start associating them with food. This can be very dangerous when it comes to larger mammals like bears, but most people cannot quite see the black and white cat-looking skunk as dangerous. I guess it really is not in the same way bears might be, however it can be very dangerous for the skunk. If an animal begins recognizing humans as a source of food, they lose their fear of people. This causes disastrous results especially along our highways. A particular animal seeing cars go by remembers they have been fed from machines like these and approach ever so closer until…… Suffice it to say this is how some animals near our parks get killed.

            Though we ourselves have always made a point in NOT feeding wildlife, it is apparent others have not adhered to this warning. It is apparent from the persistence some animals have shown through the years. This story is about a skunk who not only expressed his desire to have some of our food, but was not going to take “no” for an answer !

            At the time our kids were all under the age of 10 and very much into the nightly “skunk hunts”. Camped in the spot next to us were my parents. As we gathered flashlights, my father volunteered to stay at camp to keep an eye on supper cooking on the stove. With all the kids in tow, we set off into the darkness. In our search, we only found one or two of the furry targets, but it was enough to thrill little hearts. Arriving back at camp, we were soon startled by the exclamation there was a skunk in my parent’s campsite.

            As we rounded the tents, a most comical sight befell our eyes. Imagine a cartoon of a woman on a table with a mouse underneath. Well, this is about what it looked like. My father was on top of the picnic table with a visitor below. The skunk was walking to and fro occasionally rising up and putting its front paws on the bench. Its little nose would sniff this way and that. My father was trying to “shoo” it away without getting it excited.

             We had to have our fun laughing and tossing pebbles near the persistent little guy in an attempt to distract his interest. Of course we remained a safe distance away. Paying us no mind at all, the skunk was intent on wanting whatever it was on that table that smelled so good to him.

            My father now decided to embellish things somewhat for the kids. Starting to dance around on the table, he quietly added, “It’s a skunk ! Oh dear, a skunk ! Whatever shall I do ? A skunk !” This caused us to laugh even harder. Apparently, the increased noise agitated the animal for his pacing quickened. His gaze started darting between the table and us. Now fearing he would soon be sprayed, my father urged us to “cease and desist”. However, giggle boxes had been turned over and there was no chance of stopping the laughter.

                I guess the skunk finally decided the situation was too much for him. The aromas that drew him there apparently were not worth the effort anymore. Waddling off into the darkness in search of a quieter campsite, he left us. Ever so thankful, my dad breathed a sigh of relief as he climbed off the table. For the rest of the night, we would not let him live down the image of looking like a scared woman attempting to scare away a mouse.

Excerpt from Under the Smoke