I have carefully read the posts to date and found their information interesting and informative.

However, I am shocked that the accumulated preparedness wisdom and experienced wisenhiemers of our motley crew missed this little gem:


The best way to deal with skunk-funk is to:

LEAVE THE SKUNK ALONE!!!



There, I've had my smarta$$ moment for the day and I can sleep happy now...

"The best way to deal with skunk-funk is to: LEAVE THE SKUNK ALONE!!!"

So, you don't think skunks get into bad moods and feel they just have to spray the next creature they meet?

Do you think a very quick apology would help?

Sue

I wonder how the old time skunk herders dealt with ornery maverick skunks?

I was just remembering a neighbour of ours when we were kids.
He had pet skunks which the vet had removed the stink glands from.
They were actually nice pets.

Sometimes you aren't the one in control:

Several years ago M'Lady and I were at a campground with friends. It was fairly late, she and I were sitting at a picnic table, the friends had already turned in.

We were chatting quietly when she made a small nod directing me to the side. I turned my head slowly, and there was a pair of skunks foraging around the far side of the site. We hadn't left garbage out, they were just checking to be sure.

Then I felt fur brush my leg.

VERY quietly, I whispered, "Do not move. There is one under the table." Her eyes got big, then suddenly got even BIGGER. The skunk had brushed her leg, too.

You never saw two people sit so still, waiting for that third skunk to finally wander out from under that table.

Beautiful creatures. Beautiful, but sneaky.

Thirtysome years ago, I was a patrolman at a campground. I was making a midnight foot patrol, and saw six guys sitting at their picnic table, inside a screentent. Their Coleman lantern was on, and as I got closer, I could see that they were all holding playing cards...but no one was moving or talking. Nothing--just sitting stock still. I was trying to figure out what kind of cardgame they were playing, when I got close enough to see the skunk that had wandered in under the flap. It was under the table eating all the dropped Doritos, etc. I didn't hang around to see if the skunk made it out OK, but I didn't smell anything from that site the next day...Sure was good for a laugh.

The campground we frequent was inundated with skunks earlier this summer -- I've never seen so many. Every evening at dusk we'd see them enter the campground from all directions. People were having them show up under the chairs they were sitting in. My dog and I were walking up a trail a couple hours before sunset and when one appeared over the hill scampering down the trail at us. I had no where to go so started talking REALLY LOUDLY and it went off the trail.

Two consecutive nights at 1:30a I was woken out of a sound sleep thinking one had sprayed through an open window. It was such a strong smell.

That's why I now carry the skunk stink remediation recipe at all times. A couple of doses.

I've seen lots of bears up there -- including mamas and babies -- and snakes.

Nothing up there is scarier than a skunk.

Except maybe some of the AT hikers. ;-)

Careful how much of the hydrogen peroxide you buy in advance for your skunk stink remedy.

The NYC terrorist plot for which indictments were issued today, centers on hydrogen peroxide-based bombs. I bought four quarts this past month. Wonder how much it takes to be on watch list?

These guys apparently were buying it from beauty salons.


http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/najibullah.zazi.indicted.2.1205295.html

"Of particular concern to us is a family of explosives called peroxide-based explosives," he says in the video.

It's part of the now-nationwide alert as police try to locate whoever might have been working with terror suspect Zazi. Police are being told to watch for any large quantities of hydrogen peroxide, drain cleaner, acetone, or nail polish remover – various types of acids – and large quantities of ammonia nitrate or urea fertilizer.

The use of H2O2 in strengths up to 12% are common for bleaching hair.

The stuff you buy for wound cleansing (etc) is only 3%. I have the feeling that the 3% probably isn't too dangerous, and won't put you on any lists of suspected terrorists.

Sue