Most wild animals fed by people logically start to associate 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 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 to recognize humans as a source of food, they lose their fear of people. This causes disastrous results especially along our highways. A particular animal remembers they have been fed from a car and approach them ever so closer until…… Suffice it to say this is how some animals near our parks and elsewhere get killed.
Though we ourselves have always made a point to NOT feed wildlife, it is apparent others do not adhere. This is evident 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 about to accept “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 which was on the stove. With all the kids in tow, we set off into the darkness. In our search this night, we only found one or two of the furry targets, but it was enough to thrill little hearts. 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 walked to and fro and would occasionally rise up with its front paws on the bench. Its little nose would sniff this way and that. My father attempted to “shoo” it away.
The kids laughed at the persistent little guy and tossed a few scattered pebbles near him in an attempt to draw him away from the table. Of course we remained a safe distance away. It paid us no mind at all and was intent on whatever was on that table that smelled so good to him.
My father now decided to embellish things somewhat for the kids. He danced around on the table and 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 also agitated the animal for his pace quickened. His gaze now darted between the table and us. In the fear 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 to stop 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. He waddled off into the darkness in search of a quieter campsite. 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 fact he had looked like a terrified woman scared by a mouse.
Excerpt from Under the Smoke
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