YOur reference to the back door at night reminds me of an incident in my own back yard a few years ago. A family of raccoons had set up housekeeping on the property that summer, making themselves a real nuisance raiding the gardens and the garbage whenever possible. So one night, hubby and my three young sons decided they'd take the situation into their most manly and capable of hands, and thereby end it once and for all. Spent an hour or so creating the most godawful racket while lobbing rocks and sticks full force at our masked and most unwelcome ones. Finally, all fell silent -- apparently the last hold-out had finally waddled off in disgust.
"That'll do it -- they'll never be back!" I was told, as my men oh-so-proudly settled themselves in front of the TV for the evening. Well, I had my doubts, but said nothing .... till a couple minutes later a loud scratching noise started up at the back door. They can't be back so soon, I thought! Opened the back door and lo and behold, there in the gathering gloom about 6 inches from my feet stood the biggest, fattest, most annoyed loooking skunk I ever saw in my life.
Well! I just froze. We had a staring contest. And he won, hands down. I don't think it ever took 10 minutes to close that door before. ANd I think the coons sent him, too! So, All Hail to the Mighty Skunk! Oh Thou Most Untouchable and Fearsome Protector of Kindred Creatures Great and Small ...