Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
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Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
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Topic: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground? (Read 5146 times))
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
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Real Name: Harry
Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
on:
August 08, 2010, 10:20:45 PM »
If not, then it has to be a Groundhog.
My wife came running in this afternoon saying there was a big pile of dirt and rocks right next to the foundation behind the house. I couldn't believe it! I have shot 90 Groundhogs and have not let them do this for many years. There was only 1 other one in '01 that did this but I got him quickly. I also caught a young one starting a new hole in '08 and it was dispatched quickly.
I had not been under the porch for about a week so this happened in the last 6-7 days. I am thinking it could have been the young G-hog I shot on Friday. I am hoping he abandoned it and moved under the shed during the week, but was wondering if a skunk can do this much digging. I have read that they can dig, but why dig a new hole when there are 16 empty (G-hog) holes on the hill along the backyard? Maybe to be close to the cat food I put out at night sometimes? From my experience, it looks like a G-hog hole because it's almost identical to the one across the street where a G-hog dug a burrow right next to his front steps. The diameter of the entrance also looks a little too big for a skunk which are smaller and narrower than a G-hog. I am mentioning skunk because I have 4-5 different ones with distinct markings that come around regularly.
This hole is not actually under the foundation but just 5-6 inches away. I had laid down a big plywood board a few years ago and put a large heavy storage bin on top of it to store things like garden hoses, shovels, rakes, fertilizer, because the tool shed is pretty full with the lawn tractor and other stuff in it. The hole is right under the plywood with a 14" high pile of dirt and rocks, and about 2.5ft wide, right in front of it, and next to the BBQ grill. He actually got a good amount of dirt on the propane tank and under the grill. I am really hoping it's not a skunk. I can deal with a Groundhog easily, but not a skunk. I watched the backyard all afternoon and evening and saw nothing, so I 'm fearing it might be a skunk, and if it is, I will have to shoot it. I am just not sure exactly where its lungs/heart are and if I can get them both with 1 shot so it doesn't spray. I know if I shoot it in the head it will most likely spray like they did the last 2 times I shot 2 skunks.
Tomorrow I am going to throw some of that dirt at the entrance, not much though, because I don't want it digging another big hole next to it. This way if nothing changes the next couple of days I 'll know it was the young G-hog I shot 2 days ago. I will then seal this hole the best I can, so that a skunk does not move in.
Any thoughts? Has anyone seen a skunk dig a good size hole from scratch?
«
Last Edit: August 08, 2010, 10:25:47 PM by only1harry
»
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Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #1 on:
August 09, 2010, 03:47:08 AM »
Harry, I'm no skunk expert but I don't think many skunks would go to such effort. They are much too lazy. My guess would be the Groundhogs are the culprit.After all you've been blessed with them all over your neighborhood forever and they sure can dig.A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do.
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dk1677
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #2 on:
August 09, 2010, 09:47:45 AM »
Revenge of the Ghogs! They are moving in Harry! he he, Let us know what kind of critter it is. Hope it is a Ghog not a stinker taking up residence
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NY
22 Disco, Hammerli 850 22, Beeman RS3 22 ,Gamo viper express,Crosman 180 22 . One of many Dave's
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Atchman2
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #3 on:
August 09, 2010, 09:58:39 AM »
Skunks burrow here in the hill sides. They have to be skunks as there aren't as many ground hogs here.
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Knoxville, TN
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a1Bogey
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #4 on:
August 09, 2010, 10:04:11 AM »
O1H, skunks can dig. And are very good at it.
Burrows are no problem for them to dig. A lot of thier digging is also for food sources. Grubs and such.
Bogey
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longislandhunter
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #5 on:
August 09, 2010, 10:11:44 AM »
Sounds like a g-hog to me Harry. Looks like they're going on the offensive, you are after all their nemesis . They're trying to drive you out of the neighborhood by bringing your house down
Seriously though,,,, sounds like a g-hog. Go get em buddy ......
Jeff
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Long Island, New York
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shadow
Shadow...ole critter getter
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Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #6 on:
August 09, 2010, 03:01:09 PM »
I think it's a G-hog hole Harry Skunks will dig if they have to but most take advantage of pre- made dens just like Bandit's. I actually witnessed a Skunk popping out of a old G-hog hole, dropped the G-hog that owned the den hehe. Ed
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Michigan
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only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
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Real Name: Harry
Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #7 on:
August 09, 2010, 04:35:15 PM »
That's guys. That was my gut feeling that it was a G-hog hole. The G-hog is no longer there. I 've watched the burrow and my backyard religiously yesterday and so far today - and nothing. It was the last G-hog I shot which had moved under the shed after a couple of days of digging that hole. I drove him out most likely because the hole is right under the window I shoot Grackles and Starlings from, downstairs. I witness a dang skunk head right to that direction under the porch after he ate some cat food last night. The skunk was quick to take over the burrow. I hate skunks!! I 'm getting a trap. I want to get rid of all of them. I don't see any other solution besides shooting them and have them spray and that is not really an option. My wife said she doesn't want to small any more of their stink. She had enough with the last 2, hehehe
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Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
dk1677
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"Disco Dave"
Real Name: Dave
Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #8 on:
August 09, 2010, 05:29:26 PM »
Hope you can make a scentless removal Harry!
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NY
22 Disco, Hammerli 850 22, Beeman RS3 22 ,Gamo viper express,Crosman 180 22 . One of many Dave's
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airiscool
Guest
Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #9 on:
August 09, 2010, 07:28:31 PM »
Harry, have you tried mothballs ?
A local who also doesn't want them shot, and isn't up to trapping them, said that after he flips several mothballs down each opening that can be found, the Skunk moves out that night.
Since the Skunks that show up here come from off the property, I've no idea if the mothballs work.
Paul
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only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?
«
Reply #10 on:
August 09, 2010, 08:23:11 PM »
Thanks guys.
Paul: I will try the mothballs. I was reading that the majority of urban/suburban skunks, live under your deck or porch, or a pile of junk or wood in your backyard! So don't be surprised if one lives on your property
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
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Can a skunk dig a hole with a big pile of dirt on the ground?