Possum Hunting

[dougk]

I have noticed an increase in the local racoon population and have always understood that the possum (that carry EVM that kills horses) will show up shortly after the racoons.  So it looks like I am going to be possum hunting shortly.

What tips and techniques have you found useful?  Is there any reference material for hunting possum?  Can possum be called in?

Thanks,
Doug

[HouseofCash]

I do not hunt possum and coon much. But, I have hunted a few. Always at night between 10-2 is when I see the most. I know it sounds stupid, but, get some left overs you dont want, or that is old but still in the fridge. Heat them in the microwave for about 3 to 5 min., till it gets hot and smelly, then just toss them out in the field or low light area. Just anuff light so you can see them. Sit in your car, or out your window, or where ever you have a clear shoot and good cover. They will come. They always come. Hell, you might even luck out and get a yote come in for a bit. It may take a few hours, but the coons and possum will show there face.

             Dave.

[S.S.]

Get a few cans of cheap fish cat food!
Chop it up in a paper plate and spread it
out over about a 10 foot area.
and do the same thing HouseOfCash
Recommended but using the cat food as bait.
I think they can smell it for miles. Where I live,
I could easily get 5 or 6 a night.  If you have
enough property you can dig a shallow hole
to bury the "casualties" in cover them shallow and
then use them for bait for others. Opossums will
eat their own kind. This will also draw Crows
(AKA Flying Rats) for more shooting during the day.
Make sure the hole is far from your house though.
Phew!!!

[flintlock]

I usually hunt them with my truck!!!! get them as they cross the road....LOL
I used to catch them all the time in my rabbit boxes..I used apple slices...
Last year I had a whole roll of film taken in one night...with coons...at my deer feeder (corn)....I caught 17 in a month...using cat food and marshmellows as bait...also caught 6 possums...The possums I've killed with a rifle were killed while coon hunting...I would suggest trapping over hunting, as you can trap 24/7....Good Luck

[Lawdog]

I have noticed an increase in the local racoon population and have always understood that the possum (that carry EVM that kills horses) will show up shortly after the racoons.  So it looks like I am going to be possum hunting shortly.

What tips and techniques have you found useful?  Is there any reference material for hunting possum?  Can possum be called in?

Thanks,
Doug

A good Black & Tan helps a lot.  Two is even better.  Lawdog
 

[Catfish]

If you don`t want to spend much money or get a dog, just get a metal pan or can a nd a stick to beat on it and walk through the woods makeing alot o f noise and shining all the trees with a dim light, or one with a red lense. The new led light work well and the ones that strobe seem to work well. You will be looking for eyes in the trees. I`ve taken coon and possoms this way.

[trotterlg]

Out here in Washington state you can just walk up to them at night and hit them with a bat.  They are so dumb that they don't even know when they are dead.  They also seem to love killing themselves by walking down the middle of the road at night.  Crows love to eat them and they love to eat dead crows, sort of a self sustaining cycle.  Larry