The Devil Returns

I had just a few small chores left to do last night when it happened (as it happens every year). I was carrying Rabbit and Mayhem's grain mash out the barn and past the buildings when I noticed Gypsy standing stock still and staring. She's a herding dog so I knew there was something. Yup, there was something alright. The dirty five letter word...

Skunk

He was wandering between the tack room and the grain bin. Unfortunately Mike is used to me hollering at the horses so he can't tell the difference between me yelling at the horses and me yelling for him to grab the gun. I didn't want to make any fast moves to upset the dogs, which would startle the skunk.

I finally got Mike's attention and he raced for the house, which made the dogs take after him. And of course the skunk decided to scurry away. The odd part of the entire experience was that I never smelled him. It was dusk so I am not worried about rabies. But he never smelled. Before Mike could run to the house, grab the gun and shells, and get to the grain bin, the little devil was gone.

I wasn't on high-alert this morning when I went to do chores because I didn't smell skunk (although I did take my flashlight to scan the dark corners). I did opt to climb over two gates instead of walking in the shadows near where the skunk had been last night.

I didn't check the live trap or even wander in that direction. I dont' want to miss work because I smell like skunk. So I threw hay to Rabbit and Mayhem and finished getting ready for work. I am always cautious in the mornings doing chores becaues there are so many varmits around but I didn't see, hear, or smell any.

As I was driving down the driveway, I saw him. That dirty little bugger was still around. Of course I didn't have the smarts to call Mike to get the gun. Instead I herded him down the driveway into the ditch. I didn't want to startle him but I also don't want him to stick around. Hopefully he'll either disappear or we can "dispose" of him soon.

I do love fall but I hate the varmits that start coming out at dusk and dawn. And for those that ask, we live trap them and then "dispose" of them properly. We are not a live and let live type of farm. Varmits bring disease to the horses. I am not willing to live trap and move to a different location because then someone else has to deal with the issue. And for those that move these animals to the country, if they come on our property, we'll dispose of them to protect the horses. We've had to deal with a rabid skunk. I'm not about to risk the dogs or horses being bitten. We've also had possums and I'm not going to risk EPM because of those darn varmits. The racoons make messes and get very mean so I'm not willing to risk my "kids" getting hurt.

Keep your finger crossed we catch this darn skunk, or that he decides to take up residence somewhere other than Borderlands.