Now what do I do?

[MossRoad]

Good luck! It's exciting to say the least.

 

[ovrszd]

I suggest releasing it outside the normal travel distance of a skunk.

If not, it will beat you back to the barn.....

 

[JethroB]

Video would be best. It could go Viral on YouTube.

 

[3Ts]

It's free! Took him down to the creek and hope he stays there. Rather pretty and well behaved.

 

[ovrszd]

Of course he's well behaved. He's been living in the barn with you for quite awhile now.

Glad you got him out without incident.

 

[3Ts]

I suggest releasing it outside the normal travel distance of a skunk.

If not, it will beat you back to the barn.....

Yes, that is a concern. That would be about 2 miles. There is a benefit to having them around because of what they eat. Just need them to keep away from the house and stay out of my barn. There are periodic road kills within 2 miles, so they're out there even if this one is relocated.

 

[3Ts]

He's been living in the barn with you for quite awhile now.

There's only been damage to the insulation over the last 2 days so that's when I though he got in. However, now that you mention it, he's probably been there a lot longer. I replaced an air admittance valve on my sewer a few weeks ago because of the smell, but didn't see anything wrong with the old one. I typically open my barn door when I go out there and don't close it until I'm done for the day which can be well after dark. So, yeah, I think you're right.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, that is a concern. That would be about 2 miles. There is a benefit to having them around because of what they eat. Just need them to keep away from the house and stay out of my barn. There are periodic road kills within 2 miles, so they're out there even if this one is relocated.

Yep.

Although I and most everyone else here would have laughed if you had gotten sprayed, I'm glad it turned out okay.

 

[RandyT]

In Illinois releasing the skunk is illegal. All trapped skunks have to be dispatched due to the risk of contracting rabies.

 

[Jstpssng]

In Illinois releasing the skunk is illegal. All trapped skunks have to be dispatched due to the risk of contracting rabies.

I shot one a few years ago because he was in the pen with my chickens and turkeys... then felt bad because he really wasn’t hurting anything. I sent him away though and he did have rabies.

Odd story... he was the first of only three skinks I’ve seen in the 20 years I’ve owned my place. The third was on my doorstep when I let my dog out... the dog jumped right over him and didn’t even realize he was there. The second was the strange one... I’d had a dream the night before about seeing a skunk cross the road onto my property. The very next day when I left the house, a skunk was crossing from my land onto the road in the EXACT spot I had dreamed seeing him going the other way.