When two universities on the Idaho-Washington border needed a deterrent for tree thieves at the holidays, they knew whom to call: Idaho Republican Sen. Gary Schroeder, chairman of the Resources and Environment Committee, owner of Moscow Hide and Fur and legislative skunk-essence expert. Schroeder hasn't checked the going price lately, but the University of Idaho in Moscow and Washington State University in Pullman scored their eau de stinker - extracted from a skunk's scent glands with a needle and syringe - for about $15 an ounce, roughly half the cost of Chanel No. 5 perfume. "They put it on Christmas trees to keep people from cutting them down," Schroeder told The Associated Press. "That way, their apartment starts to smell. Word gets around"/John Miller, Åssociated Press. More here.

Question: Tell us about a close encounter that you've had with a skunk?