Author Topic: Trapping Opossum (Read 479 times)

Varmit · « **on:** April 12, 2004, 10:55:23 AM »

I'm sort of new to trapping. I tried to start a little about a year ago on my grandpa's farm with a limited success. Now, I would like to catch a couple of opossums that are around my house for fun over spring break and the summer. I live in the country and know that there are a few around here. I have two steel traps and a box trap that I used at my grandpa's. I always caught opossums or birds there, unintentionally of course (whatever I was trying to catch wouldn't go near them), with these traps, so I have that part down, but I'm not sure what to use for bait. I know that an obvious answer to this would be just about anything, I caught a lot of opossums with various baits before, but is there anything that attracts opossums more than other critters? I'm trying to do this cheap, so are there any kinds of food that they are particularly fond of? Any tips you have will be greatly appreciated.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2004, 11:08:34 AM »

Varmit,before we go any further---how about some information on yourself? Your profile lists Nothing---At times I get a bit suspicious when it comes to NEWcomers to any trapping site.
How about letting us know where you are from,your age,your gender and anything else that you care to provide us with.
Tom

Varmit · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2004, 03:39:39 AM »

Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude and not introduce myself. I'm a 17 year old boy from Arkansas. I hunt a lot of small game, but haven't really tried my hand at trapping yet and would like to. I'm trying opossum because the ones around my house do cause some damage, so they're considered nuisance animals and are legal to trap. I'll probably release them on the other side of a fairly wide creek we have about 200 yards from my house. I know that they may eventually work their way back, but it still seems a little more humane and they'll still be around when season opens. If you want to know anything else, just ask.

jumptrp · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2004, 12:37:08 PM »

YA WANNA CATCH EM CHEAP? WELL LAD I CAN SAY USE ANY SCRAPS FROM THE TABLE THAT HAS SMELL AND USE THEM IN THE BOX TRAP OR MAKE A HOLE IN THE GROUND AN SETA ROCK BEHIND IT, PUT SOME SCRAPS IN THE HOLE AND SET THE TRAP IN FRONT OF IT BURRIED DOWN ABOUT 1/4"UNDER THE SURROUNDING AREA. PUT SOME FIBERGLASS INSULATION UNDER THE PAN AND SIFT DIRT OVER IT ALL TILL LEVEL WITH THE GROUND.
HOPE THERE ARENT ANY DOMESTIC DOGS OR CATS ON THE FARM AS THEY WILL GET TOE PINCHED ALSO

Varmit · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2004, 03:41:37 PM »

thanks for the advice jumptrp. i was planning on that with the box trap, but didn't really know what to do with the steel traps

OldCoon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:38:22 PM »

Take some flat rocks and build a little "house." Make it about 10" high and 18" deep. Use flat rocks for a roof. Only the front is left open. This s a cubby. Locate your cubbies along fencerows and near dens. The bait is placed in back of the cubby and the front opening is guarded by a 1 or a 1 1/2 trap. Be sure you stake your traps securely.

As a teen I was quite a skunk/opposum trapper. I used to collect slop food from the local greasy spoon as bait. The ex-con washing the dishes was glad to save them for me in a bucket in exchange for a few packs of cigarettes a week.