Henrietta, N.Y. - It's mating season for skunks, and with the warm winter -- that could be bad news for your nose.
"As long as they can raise their tails, they can spray you, no matter what the situation," says Wildlife Management Professional Aaron Baker.
The 36-year-old has spent most of his life studying animals and a recent career change led him to a job where he safely traps "nuisance wildlife," and then releases them back into the wild.
"A skunk won't spray what he can't see, they're actually a very resigned animal," Baker says.
February and March are prime mating season for skunks and Baker says with the recent warm weather, he's seen more of them than usual.
"The females that aren't ready to breed yet are fighting off the males. Sometimes they'll spray, and homeowners are smelling that," he adds.
On Tuesday, Baker was at the Henrietta home of Carol Miller who is fascinated with skunks that have made space beneath her front porch over the years.
"It doesn't bother me at all, I kind of like the smell. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I like the skunks," the 71-year-old says. "The skunks are my favorite I love them."
Carol has gone so far as to name a few of her favorites. "I don't know one from another, but they could all be 'Stinky,'" she says with a smile on her face.
Even though it is mating season, experts say you shouldn't be seeing skunks out during the day, and if you do, call an animal control officer.
