Adam Farmer, ECHO guide and Oregon River manager, is spending the winter at ECHO’s luxurious doublewide mobile home near the Rogue River. All was well until a very distinct smell told him that skunks had moved into the space below the trailer. Now Adam had a challenge that would put his degree in business from UC Davis to the test. How does one get rid of a skunk without hurting it or making it mad?
The first ploy, recommended by the local game warden, was to shine bright lights and play loud music under the house. No go. These skunks seemed to thrive on bright lights and loud rock. In fact, at least one more male skunk arrived, and in the struggle for dominance one or both of the males let fly with their most impressive sprays. The demonstration brought tears to Adam’s eyes, and he contemplated moving to town even if it meant paying RENT.
The second attempt at eviction was a wire trap, baited with meat. ECHO partner Dick Linford told Adam that skunks are peaceful when they are in tight dark spots, so Adam covered the wire trap with dark garbage bags. It seems that Dick was mistaken. The skunk loved the meat but hated the dark plastic, which he sprayed and shredded through the wire. So Adam finally covered himself with garbage bags, dragged the cage out, and very carefully transported it several miles away and next to the river. At this point, the skunk decided that he preferred the cage to life in the wild, and refused to leave. It took much careful prodding with a loooong stick to get him out.
And that’s only the first one. There are several more. Hopefully Adam will get better at this and doing so probably means not listening to Dick.
