please help me get these possoms

[only1harry]

I 'm new to hunting possoms.  They moved onto (or near) my property about a year ago but I decided to go after them only about a month ago.  I need to know their habits and where they hang out or hide.  My Diana 350 .22 is just acking to meet them.  Ok I am..  :)

Here is what typically happens:  Sometimes I come home late from work and I see them running either across the street to or from my lawn, or I see them from my living room window triggering the motion activated lights, running through my lawn or going towards the side of my house where I lose sight of them.  I have seen one on 3 seperate nights (and tonight) hanging out right under a big spruce I have near my  driveway.  My headlights hit the tree and I can see it under there sitting still or going behind the stump avoiding the lights.  One time it was about 10ft away on the lawn and when I pulled in to the driveway, it ran under the tree where I lost sight of it.  I usually just run inside, or downstairs, grab the 350 and a strong Mag flashlight and run out but can never find them.  Are they that fast that can disappear in 30secs or less?  I sometimes flip the switch to keep the motion activated lights on at all 4 corners of my house, illuminating at least 50% of my 1 acre property.  My property is pretty open and flat.  About 16yds of just lawn in front of the house, 50yds on one side of the house of lawn, tool shed, and a wheeping willow, 40 yds on the other side of just lawn, and about 25yds of open area in the back followed by a long tree line (and woods) along the back of most of my property, plus some trees on either side of my property at the end of the lawn along the border, with the neighbor's driveways (on both sides) behind them.  So picture a large rectangle (about 102yds long by 48yds wide) with pretty much trees all around the perimeter except the front, and with the exception of a large spruce and equally large Willow.  Here are some questions I have for you:

- Do they hate the motion lights and run away from them?  Should I keep them off and just use the flashlight?
- Do they run up a tree and stay there until I give up and go back inside?  I have some pretty tall trees bordering my property but don't see them when searching with the falshlight but then again they 're pretty tall and hard to see all the way up.
- Do they live underground?  Perhaps in one of the 8 groundhog burrows (holes) that are now vacant after having taking many a G-Hog?
- What's the best tactic to get one of these critters?  Can I bait them?  Will the come for the bait if I have the lights on so I can see what I 'm shooting at, from inside - an open window?  

I 'm getting desperate.  I 've waisted many hours out there looking from them after spotting them.  Are they that illusive?  I thought they were pretty dumb but they must know something to come out only under the cover of darkness.  
Thanks in advance
Harry (NY)

I am not really experienced with hunting possums, but I have some ideas for you.
For one thing, it might work to use a red filter on your flashlight and possibly even on your motion lights, because animals for some reason are not alarmed by red light.
Also, Possums are mainly scavengers, so putting out table scraps or even ordinary dog food is likely to attract their keen noses.
Keep in mind here that you need to be sure that you are hunting them legally, so check on seasons and baiting before you take a chance on getting prosecuted.
Also, the reason that you see them only at night is because possums are nocturnal, and if you see one during the day, it is probably either sick or rabid, as that is simply not normal for them.
They have to den somewhere during the day, and those now abandoned g-hog tunnels would be a good place for them to hide, although I believe they prefer hollow logs and trees for shelter.
Also, although they can climb trees, I rarely see them choose to use them as an escape, instead running for low brush on the ground level.
Oh, regarding intelligence, possums are almost comically stupid, unlike raccoons.
Q. Why did the chicken cross the road?
A. To prove to the possum that it CAN be done.
;-)

[shadow]

Yup they like the night and thier kinda like cockroaches when the light hit's them. They like to hit the easy garbage can's, left out dog or cat food etc. I used to leave the light on and let them get use to it and use a bug light, not so bright, bait em with some goodies . They have a route they take to look for food and if their stopping by around the same time at night, be setup and ready to spot those eye's reflecting in the night. They also have very tough skull's and because of the low profile in the front of it I alway's go for the side of thier skull. The have a large cavity behind thier eye socket, easy access to the fusebox. Goodluck. Ed

[only1harry]

Thanks guys.  
That would explain why they disappear so fast when the motion detection lights come on or when I pull into the driveway and see those eyes with the headlights.

Leaving the lights on all night is a great idea.  I think I'll do it for a couple of weeks and place some cat food (dry, or can food?) out front in a lit up area so I can see what I 'm shooting at.  Who knows, I may even see that big racoon again come for a free meal!  I don't like putting food out for wild animals because it may attract skunks that also eat garbage or everything, but I think I'll make an exception for the possom.

[longislandhunter]

Lookin forward to seeing the pics of that 350 laying next to the possum   :)

Jeff

[only1harry]

I wish I could post it.  I would have posted the other g-hog kills with the 350 as well..  

My wife hid the digital camera when I got the 1st groundhog with the 350 a few weeks ago.  She was in the kitchen cooking when she heard the loud report from my 350 in the bedroom where I shot it from (upstairs window).  She took a look out the window by the shed and saw the g-hog laying there motionless 2-3ft from the hole.  She goes: "oh, you got another one (she doesn't like me doing it when she 's around..), what are you looking for?"  I said the digital camera, and she goes: "oh no, you 're not using my camera to post your little kill all over the Internet..!!"  She refers to everything as "hers", but she hasn't claimed my 20 firearms and airguns yet.  That camera has disappeared.  I 'm pretty sure it's in her car and she has managed to hide the car keys from me (she is down to 1 key, she lost the others as usual).

BTW, I had loaded the 350 last night when I went after that possom.  I fired it into one of my logs 1/2hr later that I often use as a backstop, being it's a springer.. man that thing must have woken up half the neighborhood.  It was around 10:30pm.  It sounded very close to a .22LR.  I walked back to the house fast :-)  

PS.  
Do you eat possom too Jeff?

[longislandhunter]

Hey Harry,

To bad about the digital camera,,, keep on lookin  for it  :)

My wife is the same way,,,, she has this "rule" about backyard hunting,,, so I just wait until she's away and I'm  home  :)

As for the possums,,, I have never had the pleasure,, not yet anyway.  But the first one I kill, if I ever get one, will be skinned, cleaned and I'll give it a try.  I think they're fairly ugly lookin critters, but sometimes the ugliest ones taste the best  :)

Jeff

[Big_Bill]

They are good Jeff,

Sweeter than chicken, and less stringy then G-Hogs. Good eaten !!

I like them roasted, filled with celery, potatoes, carrots, and onions. My next one will be filled with apples, onions, and pears !!!

And they love it under sheds and porches !

[PeakChick]

Geeze, you folks on the right side of the country will eat anything........... LOL!

[longislandhunter]

Protein is Protein    :)

Jeff

[Big_Bill]

Hey Peak,

Remember, if you'll eat Chicken and Pork, you'll eat anything !

And if you eat Hot Dogs,...You already have.....

longislandhunter - 10/11/2007  1:36 PM

Hey Harry,

To bad about the digital camera,,, keep on lookin  for it  :)

My wife is the same way,,,, she has this "rule" about backyard hunting,,, so I just wait until she's away and I'm  home  :)

As for the possums,,, I have never had the pleasure,, not yet anyway.  But the first one I kill, if I ever get one, will be skinned, cleaned and I'll give it a try.  I think they're fairly ugly lookin critters, but sometimes the ugliest ones taste the best  :)

Jeff

Well, Jeff, you may well want to reconsider that.
I know of an old boy who has eaten possum, and he didn't have any real complaints, but keep in mind that there is a good reason that you see so many road killed possums:  They are mainly carrion eaters.
Speaking for myself, of course, I will stick to rabbits and squirrels.
;-)

Big_Bill - 10/11/2007  7:37 PM



Hey Peak,

Remember, if you'll eat Chicken and Pork, you'll eat anything !

And if you eat  Hot Dogs,...You already have.....

Touche!
Anuses, lips, snouts, ears, intestine, and organs, OH MY!

[shadow]

If I take it down and there's a recipe for it, I'll eat it hehe. Ed

[longislandhunter]

I second that   :)

Jeff