THE SKUNK.
The skunk is an animal of the weasel family, and is found throughout
the United States and the southern parts of Canada. A full grown
specimen will usually measure sixteen or eighteen inches, from the
nose to the root of the tail, which is about twelve or fourteen
inches long and quite bushy. The color is a glossy black, with
usually, a white V-shaped stripe extending from the top of the head
to about half the length of the back. Often, this stripe is quite
broad and extends the length of the body, while in others the stripe
is missing, there being only a white spot on the head, and a white
tip to the tail; this latter marking being found on all specimens. In
some of the Pacific coast States, a variety is found having only a
single white stripe running the entire length of the back. There is
also a small species found in parts of the Mississippi valley, which
has white spots, instead of stripes. This animal is known to the fur
trade as well as the trappers, as the "civet cat", although the true
civet cat is quite a different animal.
The skunk has become quite famous, among country folks, because of
its powerful scent, which is found in two glands near the root of the
tail, which the animal can eject at will. This scent is perhaps the
most powerful and offensive of all odors, and the use of it is the
skunk's only means of defending itself against enemies.
The skunk makes its den in the ground, usually along a gravelly
hill-side, and it sometimes makes use of the den of the woodchuck. In
thickly settled countries where the dens have been destroyed by
hunters, they often make their homes under barns and out-buildings,
and even under dwelling houses, much to the discomfort of the
inmates.
The skunk is a nocturnal animal, searching for food only at night and
remaining in its den during the day. During the cold part of the
winter, they remain in their dens, coming out only on warm nights,
until after the middle of February, when their mating season
commences, and the males travel, at this time in almost all kinds of
weather.
The young are born in April and May, and there are usually from four
to ten in a litter, though occasionally there will be a larger
number.
Their food consists mostly of insects, grubs, young birds and eggs,
and when they have an opportunity to do so, they will kill and eat
poultry, etc. They are also fond of carrion, and even the flesh of
their own kind.
In the northern states the skunk becomes prime about the last week in
October, while in the extreme south they are probably not prime until
the last week in November. In the north they commence to shed their
fur about the tenth or fifteenth of March, while in the south they
shed still earlier. During very cold weather, when the skunks have
been confined to their dens for a considerable length of time, the
warmth of the dens has a tendency to injure the fur. The males also
fight among themselves and their fur is often injured in this way. At
other times the fur is spoiled somewhat, because of too small an
entrance to the den, the fur having a rubbed or woolly appearance. It
is the fine black skins taken when in the best condition, that are
the most valuable. Skunks are, perhaps, found in the greatest numbers
in the eastern states, and the trappers from that section, make more
money from skunks than from any other animal.
In winter, one may track them to their dens, and if the den is a good
one, may find any number of skunks, up to a dozen, in the same den.
It is a common practice to dig the den open and kill all the inmates,
but as this method means the destruction of a good den, it is not
advisable to do so. The best way is to trap them, as in this way the
den will not be injured, and it is almost certain that you will find
skunks in the same den each season. Such a den is worth money to the
trapper. The oil of the skunk, if rendered carefully, without
burning, is useful, and is often used by country people as a remedy
for croup.
The most common method of trapping the skunk is to set the trap in
the entrance of the den, without bait, but where there are many dens,
or where the dens are hard to find, it is best to use bait. In
setting the trap in a den, it should be set just inside the entrance,
unless the mouth of the den is small, when it should be set just
outside. The trap should be set with the jaws lengthwise of the hole,
so that the skunk steps between the jaws, and not over them, as by
stepping over the jaw the foot is likely to be thrown out of the
trap, by the jaw, as the trap springs. This rule also applies to all
traps set in dens or enclosures of any kind. The common way of
fastening is to stake the trap or fasten to a clog, but the balance
pole is better.
No great care is necessary in covering the trap, as the skunk is not
suspicious, but it is always best to use care, especially in setting
baited traps, as one never knows what animal may come along. On one
occasion I caught a fox in a trap set for skunk.
It is a good idea also, when trapping at dens, to put a small scrap
of bait inside of the den, as many skunks that are traveling about,
only look in and turn away, and if the trap is set inside, will not
be caught. If, however, there is a small bait inside the den, the
skunk will attempt to get it, and will be caught in the trap.
The traps most used for skunks are the No. 1 and No. 1 1/2. There are
also some special traps manufactured for these animals, having double
jaws or webbed jaws, to prevent the animal gnawing off its foot.
Traps set for skunk should be visited every day, as otherwise the
captured animals are likely to escape. They seem to struggle more on
dark stormy nights, and during such weather, one should get around to
his traps as early as possible in the morning.
Sometimes one can find a well-defined trail leading away from the
mouth of the den. In such a case, several traps may be set in the
trail, thus doubling or trebling the chance for a catch.
When good dens cannot be found, dig a hole under an old stump, and
place a bait inside, setting the trap directly in front of the hole
and cover with dry dirt. Sprinkle some scent about, on the stump and
ground; use care in setting as you are likely to catch a fox,
providing the trap is carefully set and covered, and the stake driven
out of sight. For bait use tainted meat of almost any kind.
Another good way is to find a spot of sandy ground, and set the trap
in a small hole, covering with sand. Cut the bait into small pieces
and scatter it all around the trap, also, if you have it, sprinkle
some scent around. The trap may be fastened to a brush drag, and the
brush set up to look as though it were growing there.
If you can find a tree or stump with two spreading roots, set the
trap between these roots and fasten the bait on the side of the tree,
about ten inches above the trap.
Still another way is to make a small pen of old, rotten wood, stones
or stakes, setting the trap in the entrance, and placing the bait in
the pen beyond the trap.
Any natural enclosure, such as a hollow log, a hole in the bank, or
in a wall or pile of stones, makes a good place in which to set a
trap.
Skunks may also be taken in box traps, deadfalls and snares, and they
seldom become scented when caught in such traps.
For bait, the following are all good: muskrat, skunk, chicken, birds
of any kind, rabbit, squirrel, mice, rotten eggs or fish--tainted
bait is always to be preferred for skunks, fresh bait being second
choice.
To make a good decoy, take one-half dozen rotten eggs, and the scent
of one skunk, and mix thoroughly. A mixture of the male and female
scent is probably best. Many of the decoys recommended for the fox
are also good for skunk. The scent of the skunk itself, is one of the
very best to use.
Most trappers object to having the scent of skunks on their clothing
and for this reason I give the following methods for killing the
captured animals, so that they will not throw their scent. If the
trap is staked, or fastened to a clog, cut a club about four or five
feet long, and approach the animal very slowly, using care not to
make any quick movements. If the skunk raises its tail, as though it
intended to throw its scent, stop, and stand perfectly still until it
drops its tail again, when you can go nearer. In this way if you are
careful, you can easily get within striking distance, when you should
deliver a good smashing blow across the back. If the back is broken,
the muscles which operate the scent glands will be paralyzed, and
there will be absolutely no danger of getting a charge of perfumery.
Some trappers fasten their traps to the end of a ten or twelve foot
pole, and by approaching carefully, can pick up the pole, when by
going slowly, the skunk may be led to the nearest water where it may
be drowned. Lead the skunk into shallow water, gradually working it
into deeper, holding its head under until nearly drowned, then let it
have a little air,--just a breath, and push it under again, keeping
it there until its struggles cease. If the animal is caught by a
front foot, it may be carried to the water, as a skunk can seldom
throw its scent if lifted off the ground, and not allowed to touch
anything with the hind feet or tail.
Another method is to cut the animal's throat with a small, very
sharp, pointed knife blade, attached to the end of a ten foot jointed
pole. Approach the animal carefully and place the point of the knife
against the side of the animal's neck, just over the jugular vein.
Push steadily against the knife; as soon as the blood flows freely,
move away and allow the animal to die.
Perhaps the quickest method is to shoot the skunk in the center of
the back, with a 22 caliber rifle or pistol. This breaks the back
killing the animal almost instantly, and there will be no scent
whatever.
If the trap is fastened to a balance pole you can kill the animal by
a blow across the back. Never shoot them in the head, or stride the
head with a club, as they are certain to throw their scent if killed
in this way.
If the fur of the skunk has become scented, I use the following
method for removing the scent: Build a fire and throw an armful of
evergreen boughs on it so as to make a dense smoke. Hold the scented
animal in the smoke for about five minutes, using care to keep it
away from the fire or the heat will curl the hair. After the skunk is
skinned hang the skin in an airy place for a few days, when there
will be practically no smell left.
Before skinning or handling the skunk, rub your hands with some kind
of grease. After the animal is skinned, wash your hands well, using
soap and hot water; there will be no scent remaining on the hands.
Benzine or gasoline will also remove the scent from the hands or
clothing. Cider vinegar is also said to be good. If the clothing is
buried over night in damp ground, the scent will usually draw out.
The track of the skunk is peculiar and is not likely to be mistaken
for that of some other animal. Although a member of the weasel
family, it does not travel by a series of jumps as does the weasel,
mink, marten, etc., but maintains a steady walk, and the foot-prints
will be an even distance apart and spread considerably so as to make
a wide trail. The length of step is about five inches and the
footprints will measure from one to one and a half inches in length,
according to the size of the animal.
[Illustration: The Mink.]