8-26-13 plentiful skunks

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Trappers in southeastern Wisconsin say they've been responding to more skunk complaints than usual this summer.    Fifty four percent of the animal calls to which police community-service officers responded this year have been for skunks. Last year it was 45 percent.  Marty Johnson of the state Department of Natural Resources says when an animal population explodes, it's probably because food and shelter have become easily available. Food could be pet food or scraps scavenged from loosely capped garbage cans. Foreclosed homes could be providing shelter.  Wisconsin considers the skunk an unprotected species that can be hunted or trapped year-round by people with proper licenses. However, a trapped skunk can't be released on public or private lands without the owner's permission.