Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Yesterday evening around 5:00, while out changing the batteries on our trail cam, I saw a feeding skunk in the field near the trail cam. I had the Ruger 10/22 with me, like I usually carry when taking a walk to pop the occasional groundhog or red squirrel or something like that. I had the skunk in the crosshairs twice because 30 yards is a little too close for me with a skunk, especially during the daylight? I elected not to shoot it because the season is closed and it will smell pretty bad afterwards. But I ran into a local trapper after coming back and he said I should have shot the skunk because it was probably rabid, based on the fact of it being out during the daylight like that. I saw it around 5:00. It doesn't get dark until 8:00. Do I have a rabid skunk on my hands that needs to be eradicated or is it just one of those things that wildlife does that humans cannot explain? What is the more likely situation here? Based on the feedback I get here, it determines if the critter gets a 40 gr .22lr or a 33 gr .22mag shell upside the head. Any help is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? Don't know Joe, but I think you did well to err on the side of caution as the season is closed. I think it is unusual for a skunk to be out during the daylight hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sureshot Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? I do see skunks out quite a bit durign daylight hours, It might of been scared by a person or other animal,If they are actign wierd and do not seem afraid, do not spray,or any signs of being sicklike mouth foam ect, prob is sick, but for your own saftey and the laws I would not shoot it, get ahold of a warden, Even if it was sick its still illegal to shoot it, lots of wardens would let you get away with it but why chance it doing something illegal!If you really think it is sick get ahold of a warden and they might set traps out to try to catch it, at least I know they will hire a pest controal officer up here when rabid animals are found! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? i would say it was probably wise not to shoot it since season is closed. Getting your hunting privliages taken away over something silly like shooiting a skunk out of season would stink (no pun intended lol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gitcha_some Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? you know i think that just becasue a nocturnal animal is out during daylight means its rabid is usually a bunk of c###. I shot a raccoon last year while bowhunting at around 9 in the morning, it was a perfectly fine raccoon, just going back to its tree a little late i suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? I would call up the warded first and see if there has been any reported cases of rabies in your area and see what he said to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? Where I grew up (MN) there isn't a closed season on skunks. You can shoot them all year round as many as you want. Too much of a rabis threat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest swamphunter91 Posted June 20, 2006 Report Share Posted June 20, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? This skunk couldn't have rabies because rabid animals don't eat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted June 20, 2006 Report Share Posted June 20, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? [ QUOTE ] This skunk couldn't have rabies because rabid animals don't eat [/ QUOTE ] Ummm, sometimes. Sometimes not. A rabid animal may in fact avoid food they would normally prefer and end up eating something else, maybe even an inanimate object like a paper sack or an old shoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 Re: Rabid Skunk? Season being closed would not have shot it either Joe. Have seen a few during daylight hours here during deer season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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