I was camping in the Smokey Mountains years back. Just sitting by the fire and found myself surrounded by 4 skunks. They started pawing through my stuff looking for food or whatever. As long as I stayed still they ignored me. If I moved, all of them would stop and glare at me. It was long half hour before they moved on.

Oh that would test your nerves. Been ages since I was in the Smokies. Lived in the D.C area for a few years as a kid. Lot of weekend drives to the Smokies and other points of interest.

I have so many skunk stories, I don't know which one to share.

Oh I've done a lot of night security shifts. You see lots of skunks at that time and learn how to avoid getting sprayed. Actually trained a mother and babies with extra food to keep watch over some building materials at one site. They associated a vehicle pulling up to the materials and parking with free food. I watched some idiots tangle with them one night. Had fun calling PD and warning them there might be a foul odor.

That is evil!

Ah yes, the dreaded Stinktierkatze. . .
Also pardon to anyone fluent with German. I'm very mediocre at it...

From my general understanding, they're pretty docile, and as long as you don't spook them, you'd be fine... and if you don't roll over and squish 'em while you sleep. xD

They're neat critters. I've done volunteer work at an animal rehab. Was able to feed some still armed skunks with no issues.

They love marshmallows.

I've watched them in a creek side blackberry patch. Pigging out on the berries.

AKA Mace Kitty. My favorite dog of all time caught one of those li'l black & white squirrels one night. I still remember the mercury light over the garage filtering through the spiral of mercaptans emitted by its anal glands. I got her rinsed off with vinegar (the acid helps to neutralize the sulfur compounds) but she still reeked. That weekend I picked up a bottle of OdorGone at a gun show. The vendor said to soak her to the skin with the stuff and repeat in two weeks. I tried it and... nothing. And that's exactly what I smelled -- zip. After a couple of weeks she started to get a little ripe when she was warm and the second application wiped it out completely. 20-odd years ago now -- you'll have a hard time finding the stuff today. Keep that POOPH junk -- it won't do the trick.

Worst I've had to deal with was driving over a fark squirrel that decided to dash onto the highway and tried to run in the direction I was driving. I passed over it but it managed to get hit by the rear passenger tire of that Kia Soul. Parked in the driveway for a few weeks after that. Had taken the car to an automated carwash that does underbody washing. Got assorted bits of fart squirrel off of the underside but didn't do squat about the smell. Was tempted to just bury the car...

Just a bit of routine snooping!
I've smelled them occasionally here at my place but I've never seen one.

I bought a day night hunters trail camera and strapped it to a tree in the yard. Lot of critters passing through at night. Some other pics posted here on FA.

stealthy little skunk

You ought to see the big ones. More than twice the size of junior there.

https://arizonadailyindependent.com.....ks-of-arizona/ Look up the Hognosed Skunk can weigh up to 10 pounds

that's a big skunk

Some of the other types get that big here. Only the Spotted Skunk stays small. Buddy of mine from Texas freaked when on of the big ones walked into camp during a deer hunt.

oh dear, that poor skunk probably got freaked out himself XD

Oh no, they just walk on in like they own the place. You just let them unless you really enjoy instant BO. Biggest worry is with ones carrying Rabies - the Fox strain. Grey Fox, Bats, Skunks, Bobcats, etc. here in AZ can carry it. Makes the infected animal very aggressive. This happened in my neighborhood. I saw the aftermath while driving home from work. https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_g.....2b218357f.html

oh dear, that's awful