It is by far the ugliest animal in the state, the most common animal found dead on highways, and one of the most despised animals by homeowners due to its love of nesting in attics and eating out of trashcans.
Despite its lack of popularity, the possum is probably one of the most successful animals in the United States. It is just at home in the city and suburbs as it is in the wild.
Looking like a large grayish white rat with a pink snout and pink feet, the possum averages 30 inches in length and can weigh upwards of 10 pounds. The tail is long, rat-like, and free from long hairs.
Possums are relatively slow on the ground and this, combined with their occasional defense mechanism of playing dead, accounts for their numerous deaths on public roads. Although nocturnal in nature, possums are occasionally seen during daylight hours. |
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The possum diet is varied and includes just about anything they can find, catch, scavenge, or kill. Possums eat insects, fish, mollusks, small reptiles, frogs, small mammals, carrion, animal feeds, crops, fruits, berries, and vegetables.
Possums tend to live in hollow trees, rock crevices, caves, and abandoned burrows or dens. In close proximity of man, they will utilize attics, wood piles, sheds, and building overhangs.
Just as possums fail to command any respect so do possums hunters, which is a shame considering how much fun possum hunting can be. Although most possums are shot as the result of opportunity (or disgust) by hunters in pursuit of other species, hunting specifically for possums is instituted in a number of manners.
The first method of possum hunting, and arguably the most exciting, is with dogs. Although a dying art due to shrinking habitat and lack of interest from younger hunters, hunting possums with dogs is an all night thrill ride. Once dogs get the scent the chase through pitch black woods is on.
Bayed possums are often dispatched with a.22 Mag, .22 Hornet, or shotgun. In the right area hunters can take up to 5 or so possums a night. Even if no trophies are taken, just being in the wild at night is adventure enough.
Almost as thrilling is the act of bait hunting or calling.
Most hunters are no stranger to the art of calling predators using electronic or mouth-type calls. By playing or imitating the sounds of smaller animals in distress, predatory animals such as possums, raccoons, bobcats, and coyotes can be lured into a specific area for hunting. When calling at night, powerful lights with red lenses are utilized.
Part of the fun in calling is not knowing what will respond to the call. While hunting relatively close to the city limits I've called in possums, raccoons, feral cats, and even a few housecats with collars on. The best sounds for possum hunting seem to be rabbits and bird distress calls. Try www.johnnystewart.com for some of the best calls on the market.
Another popular method of hunting possums is doing so over bait. As any hunter that utilizes a deer feeder can attest, deer aren't the only thing that eat the corn and expensive protein pellets that is thrown out. Possums, raccoons, and in some areas porcupines all love to gobble the night away with a free meal.
By utilizing green or red lights, hunters can take several trophies in an evening. Although hand held lights are generally used, stationary lights are becoming increasingly popular with those wanting to rid their feeders from unwanted visitors as well as get in a little extra hunting time. Stationary lights are also legal in some areas for the taking of feral hogs and other exotic animals. Try www.lincolnranch.com for some of the best stationary lights on the market.
In addition to automatic deer feeders, many hunters use fermented corn or apples to attract possums. Smelly trash, rotting garbage, and cat food is also a good attractant.
As a game animal possums don't get much respect. They aren't fast or cunning. They aren't dangerous and they don't make an attractive trophy mount. But as a friend of mine puts it, "I don't care about the possum hunting stigma. I just like to hunt and possums give me another reason to get out there. And besides, truth be told, if cooked correctly, possum's pretty good.
For more hunting gear and equipment, check out Cabelas for the best namebrand products.
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