Skunks In The Park

[RLOH]

I have been hunting several large parks that have a large skunk populations. I always arrive at these parks at daylight to avoid the crowds and many times, I have seen two or three skunks in the area I am hunting. As an Explorer user, I have to dig some deep holes and I always try to be neat, but these skunks undo my damage. Let me explain. Skunks dig holes in the ground to get grubs and earthworms and if you see small holes and tufts of grass everywhere, skunks are there. Several years ago I had a great day of hunting and I dug many plugs which I gently tamped back into the ground. When I returned the next weekend, every plug I dug was pulled out and the loose dirt removed. The skunks had found the loose dirt left by my plug and had easily removed the plug to open the hole. This scenic park looked terrible and to the park workers, it was obvious that the holes left were square and made by a detectorist. I immediately went to the park supervisor and explained the situation. He was not impressed with my explaination and gave me a warning that detecting might be stopped if this kept happening. I spent an hour filling all the open holes and came up with a plan. If evidence that skunks are in an area I hunt, I dig my plug as usual, but instead of lightly tamping the plug down, I stomp it down hard to pack it tight. This does leave a slight depression in the ground, but the skunks are not able to remove the plug. Squirrels will also to this occasionally, but not like a skunk. Don't be quick to make a judgement that a sloppy detectorist left unfilled holes. If you are hunting a spot with skunk activity, take your time to get the plug packed down hard. R.L.

 

[EZrider]

I always stop the plugs down hard, not because of skunks but the large mowers they use to cut the grass can suck up a plug.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I push a couple of these 8" scewers through the plug and into the sides of the hole in solid dirt at sharp angle. Push them below the surface with a probe or screwdriver and they will hold plug in place and will rot away in a few months with no harm to lawn.

 

[king-ghidorah]

I always stop the plugs down hard, not because of skunks but the large mowers they use to cut the grass can suck up a plug.

same here and it's better to keep the grass structure airtight from other influences that could spell you've been there and it shows.

 

[king-ghidorah]

I push a couple of these 8" scewers through the plug and into the sides of the hole in solid dirt at sharp angle. Push them below the surface with a probe or screwdriver and they will hold plug in place and will rot away in a few months with no harm to lawn.

neat idea! When I first saw them I thought you used them against undesirables while MD

 

[Gunnar of bradford MN]

dude trap them out

 

[Nick A]

I've even bruised my heel a few times. Mowers can pull plugs up as well, especially if the weather is on the dry side.

 

[Hombre]

Yikes!! Pungee sticks