Need A Little De-Skunking?

[HD]

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever



The morning had started off just a bit too perfectly. A week of heat and humidity was followed up by two days of rain, Sunday morning broke sunny, clear, and in the 60s. Perfect conditions for a run to Minnesota’s northeastern sharp-tailed grouse cover for a little preseason bird dog training.
 
Five minutes from the truck, my two-year old shorthair Esky locked up into a staunch point. My veteran shorthair, Trammell, honored as I approached from Esky’s left. One young sharpie exploded to the air, followed by a second, and a third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. We moved a little further into the wind and the pups pointed in unison on another pair of sharpies from the brood. A couple hundred yards further into the center of the section of grass, Esky locked up again. This time, her tail flagged. I should have known, but it’s August and there is still rust on this bird hunter’s brain. As I approached, Esky broke point and buried her head into a hole and the cloud of skunk hit her, the wind, then me.
 
Of course I’d taken the ingredients of my de-skunking kit out of my truck last winter, which meant I spent the next hour getting back to the highway, finding a grocery store, then a lake with a boat launch. Three de-skunking applications later, Esky smells like a flower. Unfortunately, as I write this nine hours later, my truck still smells of skunk and the stink will likely cling to me as I make my way to the Pheasants Forever office in the morning.
 
So, let my preseason skunking be a reminder for all my bird dog brethren. Get that dog de-skunking kit back in your truck.
 
Ingredients

    1 quart (2 pints) of 3% hydrogen peroxide
    ¼ cup baking soda
    1 teaspoon dishwashing soap (with grease cutter)
    Sponge
    Rubber Gloves
    Small bucket for mixing

Directions:

1)   Mix solution
2)   Wet dog down
3)   Work in solution
4)   Leave on 3-4 minutes
5)   Rinse
      Repeat steps 1 through 5 as necessary

NOTE: solution is unsafe to mix and store ahead of time.


 
One more tip, my radio partner “The Captain” Billy Hildebrand printed the ingredients and directions of this de-skunking recipe and laminated if for me to keep in my wallet. He did this for me after Trammell’s third skunking incident during her second season. I have carried Billy’s gift in my wallet ever since. His gift sure came in handy today!

[The General]

This is exactly what I've been using for years and it works great.  I also throw both collars right in the pail of the solution.

[glenn57]

rumor has it that's the stuff boar uses to shower wit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rebel SS]

 

[snow1]

The best and easiest fix is "skunk off"... for the field we use the spray bottle,works on contact,one bottle lasts for years,then it also comes in a concentrate in case you get nailed and need to wash your clothes.

[LPS]

I use that solution above but I do a lot more baking soda.  Like at least half a box and then 1 20 oz bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a healthy big squirt of dawn in a pail of warm water.  Try to leave it on for a few minutes after you lather up.  Then a big rinse.  Works awesome...

[The General]

Yes you are right LPS on the extra baking soda I usually just use the whole box.   Otherwise the rest just goes to waste anyway as I don't want it spoiled all over the truck.