A boy I knew back in our teenage years was a "great outdoorsman". He came home one night and there was a skunk in his backyard so he grabbed this .22 and shot. Well, it wasn't a clean kill and the back of the skunk was pointed to at an open basement window. No, his father didn't kill him, but close. I don't think I would shoot the skunk. Just let it pass by.
Also be careful as a skunk can also be a carrier of rabies. I know someone who was sprayed by a rabid skunk and had to take the rabies treatment. He was told that the spray could carry the virus. Rabies is an issue in NC.
