What's with the skunks?

[cmom]

For years I never had any problems with skunks. The past two weeks I've been over run with them. I have killed four and had two more lurking and I just got one in a trap. Today I was talking to some friends, who live about 15 miles away fom me, and a neighbor who have said they have suddenly had a lot of skunks around their properties. What's up? Why all of a sudden do there seem to be so many skunks around?

 

[ole-crone]

Perhaps partially due to the change of administration in Washington. Excess skunks on the road from all the going and coming.

It's a joke - BUT I've noticed more than normal squashed on the road going to town. Maybe the weather lately has been good for their reproduction.

 

[birdlover]

 

[Splash_Guard]

They are always around, they being nocturnal might lessen your chances of seeing them. I'm always concerned when spotting one in daylight.

I have to agree tho, it's probably the fault of Bush.

 

[FrChuckW]

Probably looking for a warm, dry, safe place for the winter that has some easy food for the pickings. Don't skunks sorta hibernate through the winter like bears?

 

[deerman]

Have a big outbreak here also, trapped and killed over 12, plus over 20 coons, one mink.

Reason so many fur trade died. Very few trappers to keep them in checked.

 

[cmom]

Mygun is loaded and ready. I'll try to put a dent in the skunk population. They are starting to get into my trash. I had some bait on top of a ladder under an open wall shed attached to my barn and something got the bait off of the top of the ladder. ????????
My local fish, game and wildlife said they are ok to shoot. My brother-in-law lives in Mass in a city on a 1/4 acre in Massachusetts and has trapped 13 skunks so far,

 

[chickenannie]

Yeah, probably always there but because of the shorter days -- skunks come out when it gets dark and now that it gets dark at 4 or 5 p.m. you're more likely to see them.

 

[cmom]

Well after one of my birds was killed I put out traps,I have gotten several skunks mainly. Today I got a big possum in one. It is now history. I don't know if it was the possum or not but something has tried to dig under one of my coops also. I didn't set up the critter cam tonight but will tomarrow. I have never had any problems except for the past couple of weeks.

 

[crazyhen]

Sometimes the other animals that keep skunks in check get killed and there is an over abundance. Or there are more of their prey around and they give birth and rear more. Jean