From Montclair Township Animal Control:
If you've experienced a close encounter with one of these critters, don't panic.
The first – and most important – thing to do would be to note the behavior.
Any wildlife acting in an odd behavior, whether it appears drunk or is falling over or walking in circles may be sick or injured and it's best to avoid it, yet keep an eye on it and contact Animal Control immediately. Recording the behavior with your cell phone from a safe distance is ideal.
If the animal in question appears healthy and alert, whether relaxing on the ground, rummaging through a garbage can, or climbing up and/or perched in a tree, then it would be considered healthy wildlife.
Montclair Township Animal Control does not trap nuisance wildlife, however we will share some information to help keep unwanted critters off your property.
If you come across a skunk on your property, but it doesn't run away when you start to approach, it could be simply be due to the fact that skunks have poor eyesight and they can't see more than a few feet in front of them. So when approached by humans, the humans can get pretty close before noticing a reaction from the skunk.
Prior to a skunk deploying its aromatic spray, it gives off a warning - stamping its feet at whatever approaches it. If the offender does not stop in their forward movement, they will get another warning before the skunk turns around, locked and loaded and ready to spray.
People need to heed that warning and back off and allow the skunk to move along.
The main point that we try to consistently relay to our residents in any situation where wildlife is on their property is "exclusion".
If there are no safe, quiet places for wildlife to hide around their property, then the wildlife will move along.
Removing debris and blocking off spaces underneath decking and porches, patching up holes in garages, fixing missing fence slats, repairing missing fence links and making sure that garbage cans are covered well are all methods of deterring wildlife from taking up residence on one's property.
Here is some additional information about your fellow four-footed fragrant residents:www.havahart.com/skunk-facts