Seen a spotted skunk recently?

When was the last time you observed a spotted skunk climbing out of your woodpile with a mouse in its mouth, or leaving the hen house with egg on its face? Yeah, me too. It's been a l-o-n-g time.

When I first arrived in Central Oregon, back in the early 1950s, I lived with Dean and Lily Hollinshead in what is now Hollinshead Park in Bend, and spotted skunks were underfoot year-round. Now all we see are striped skunks.

In addition to fine Tennessee Walkers, Dean and Lily had a small Holstein dairy, and it seemed whenever they went on a long trail ride the hired man would leave the country. Then I'd be stuck to do the milking (and clean the barn, take care of the horses, chickens, and find time to work at mining pumice and my Homelite saw shop).

As I went into the barn at 4 a.m. I had to be careful where I stepped. At least one spotted skunk would be underfoot during milking. In addition, almost every time I collected eggs, I would meet you-know-who in the hen house with egg on its face.

Spotted skunks are in a group of carnivores known as "mustelids," mammals that possess very strong smelling scent glands, and can really ruin your day.

The largest member of the tribe is the "glutton," the Wolverine. (In the mid-'50s, Fred Painter, Sisters' law-enforcement officer in those days, trapped the last verified wolverine seen in the Three Sisters area.) The smallest is the ermine, and in between are long-tailed weasel, American marten, fisher (not a native), mink, badger and northern river otter.

There are four species of skunks native to North America. The largest is the hog-nosed skunk of the Southwest, next is the rare and magnificent hooded skunk, the very common stripped skunk, and the subject of today's discussion, the lovely little spotted skunk (Eastern and Western varieties).

While spotted skunks are the cavaliers of the skunk world - rarely letting go at you without serious provocation - stripped skunks will let you have it just for thinking wrong thoughts.

When I was the manager at Ramsey Canyon Preserve in southeast Arizona, I had the good fortune to live in habitat where all four species of skunks are common. My only claim to fame is when National Geographic called me and asked for photos of a hog-nosed for their North America mammal book - but that's another story. Yes, I did get the photo.

I also had the good fortune to have a spotted skunk living in the house Sue and I occupied on the preserve. The skunk was living there when we arrived, and we felt it had squatter's rights and left it alone.

It did make for interesting visits to the potty in the dark of night, however. Skunks are nocturnal, I'm not, and seeing how we were living in the skunk's domicile, it was my responsibility to watch where I stepped at night. It was also prudent, if I wanted to stay in the same house with my wife...

There were no mice living in our house, and there were no snakes or fat, juicy beetles for me to step on, either. Spotted Skunks are very proficient at eliminating snakes, rodents, and insects from one's abode.

However, right now I am worried about the welfare of our little native skunks. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has many things to worry about, such as "game animals," which bring in much-needed dollars. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be concerned over our native spotted skunk. Their larger cousins, stripped skunks, have invaded our country; these big stinkers are more aggressive and nastier to get along with, and may have put our little spotted skunks out of business.

If you've seen a spotted skunk recently, met one personally or know anyone who has, please drop me a line: [email protected]