Spring time visitors...

[Uncle Grump]

We have wood burners in the house, and in the shop. Wifelet informed me Monday that a bat has gotten in to the house burner (it's been making noise for the last 3 days), and this morning, while in the shop, I heard noise in it's. This one turned out to be a bird.

Got it out by opening the O/H door, then opened the door on the burner - bird flew right out. Sadly, I don't think the bat is going to be as co-operative. Am dreading the mess we are going to have if I can't capture the bat before it gets to flying.

UG

 

[Kdog]

Low smoky fire, if it dont leave, will become preserved and not stink.

 

[Uncle Grump]

Kdog,

the issue we have is that the bat will likely escape (in to the house, covered w/ soot) when we open the door - ie in a effort to light the small fire (which I had considered).

 

[AtticaFish]

Tie a fly and cast it down the chimney...... see what you catch.

My spring time pests so far have all been of mammal form. I had to remove a opossum that took up residence under the porch last week. Keep smelling skunks all over too and sure hoping one of those don't try to occupy the vacancy.

 

[Uncle Grump]

Update:

The critter in the house stove turned out to be a bird (grackel) - it had assumed room temperature when we went in after it on Saturday morning.

W/ regard to 4 legged critters - got them too....I have a couple of large Havahart live traps I keep baited (meat scraps from the table) on the fringes of the homestead...the skunks find the traps, and rarely get in close to the house and buildings any more.

When dealing w/ a skunk, the only way to handle it (local ordinances permiting - mine do - thankfully) is a shotgun and bird shot - I use a .410 and 3" #6 loads - aim for the back bone - as when you take out the nervous system, they can't spray.

UG

 

[LedHed]

hmmmm - skunk tail jigs........

 

[Uncle Grump]

Led

I've had those thoughts, bbbbbbbbuuuuuuuttttttttttttttttttttttttt....

Let me assure you - w/ a skunk, un-like a dead 'coon, deer, coyote etc, fiber gathering is NOT a DIY project. Them critters stink plenty bad w/o spraying - my bride complains each time she comes near me after I've had to handle a skunk - even if the "handling" is nothing more than dumping one out of the trap in to a hole for burial.

If'n you really want to try skunk, get a hide that has been commercially processed (de-odorized, tanned, etc)

UG

 

[AtticaFish]

I was about to say that i have never 'removed' one from my property that did not stink to high heaven. Bet they sure would have some great hair for tying though. Never got close enough to examine completely, but hair fibers are nice and long and seem to be quite soft. If there was a way to remove the smell from roadkill victims..... could have a mountain of tails right when the snow starts to melt here. Has to be 12 of them flat on the road in my 20 mile commute alone.

 

[Kdog]

I'll second the odoriforous skunk smell. I've tried for several months to get one basementable but still no luck. I've tried a number of concoctions guaranteed to deodorize but know full well that if I can smell it from 10 feet. the wife will smell it from 100 yards and I don't wanna wake up with it wrapped around my neck.

 

[AllenOK]

I've heard that the white part of a skunk's fur is extremely similar to Polar Bear, kind of translucent when wet.

I wouldn't mind trying some, but well........I don't want to deal with the smell.