Thread: Possuming 2019

I ran my first possum trap line last night.

30 traps

14 possums ( 1 was tiny and I didn't pluck it )
775 gms of fur

1 rat

1 hedgehog



It's about a month earlier than I would usually start putting out traps.
But I wanted to get even fitter for an upcoming tahr trip.
60 gms of fur per possum is ok for this early in the season.

So get out there guys, do your bit and maybe even make a tiny amount of toy money !

Well done.

Ask a friendly local farmer (even the un friendly ones might let you possum ).
Stick to their conditions and wishes and you never know you might be able to shoot some deer or pigs once you have proven yourself to them.

cheers

Gonna set a trial run this arvo n check tomorrow morning then run them over Easter. Apparently have 80 odd traps to set.


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Originally Posted by Phil_H

Good going. Something that I have been considering asking permission to do in a forestry block not far from me.
Could I ask the type of trap that you are using?

Cheers
Phil

Mostly cheap #1 PCS ones.
But I'm now running 12 of the more expensive Bushmaster ones that are $14 each.
Just wanted to see if the bushmaster ones really held better.
They seem very strong and fast.

I had 2 set off and list overnight in the PCS ones.
So that's about the value of 1 BM trap !

Then later in the winter I will start using the themal and spotlight.
It is fairly time effective as I can usually shoot and pluck 6 per hour consistently.

But not really cost effective if you take into account the high end thermal price !

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Mostly cheap #1 PCS ones.
But I'm now running 12 of the more expensive Bushmaster ones that are $14 each.
Just wanted to see if the bushmaster ones really held better.
They seem very strong and fast.

I had 2 set off and list overnight in the PCS ones.
So that's about the value of 1 BM trap !

Then later in the winter I will start using the themal and spotlight.
It is fairly time effective as I can usually shoot and pluck 6 per hour consistently.

But not really cost effective if you take into account the high end thermal price !

Yes - the BM#1 are much better - more for the fact they do not twist out of shape with use
The cheap ones are cheap metal and end up not sitting correct and the trip (has a name that I cannot remember) ends up all wonky etc

Spend the extra if you not in it to play

Which reminds me of two OTHER things/items/equipment/entitlements been taken from us by the bureaucrats
The Lance Ace (Gin trap) - was a cruel thing but used for over 100 years here and in Aussie and still best trap ever
My Cyanide Licence
How TF I (and others) let that happen escapes me !!!!

I have come to the conclusion we are all a bunch of soft cocks been stood on by shirt lifters and high heelers

have about forty traps, victors and bushmasters, prefer the victors.

Originally Posted by MSL

have about forty traps, victors and bushmasters, prefer the victors.

Yep
Victor a step up again on the BM#1
But aint they like $30 each now (maybe that the 1.5 V)

The no.1’s were $15 when I brought them I think, maybe ten years ago though. They are a lightweight trap but seem to be made of a higher tensile steel so are tougher than some of the cheaper ones I found.
http://www.philproof.co.nz/products/...hold-trap.html

Well I put another 15 traps on that line because there were so many the first day.

Got 24 possums off 45 traps = 1.46 kg

And that's from an area I took 10 kg of fur out of last winter !!

Set 27 traps late yesterday afternoon. Supposed to be 30 but dropped a couple. Checked them this morning. 7 possums. Put out another 20 but not set so it’ll be 50 to set Good Friday and put out and set another 30. It’ll be interesting on the Saturday morning...


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Ask a friendly local farmer (even the un friendly ones might let you possum ).
Stick to their conditions and wishes and you never know you might be able to shoot some deer or pigs once you have proven yourself to them.

cheers

Yep Nice one just emailed a local farmer where i predator trap along his boundary any way plenty of possum sign so thought whats the worst that can happen

70 odd traps out yesterday.

Checked today

17 caught
940 gms fur.

$1.40/kg for possum body at average 1.5 kg..? = $35 ??






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You've left a heap of fur on them, take the lot, including the tail. This time of year you should be able to average 14 possums or less for a kg. Last line I did averaged $8.51 per possum, and about 30 possums per day, so around $240 for a days work.

Originally Posted by Husky1600

You've left a heap of fur on them, take the lot, including the tail. This time of year you should be able to average 14 possums or less for a kg. Last line I did averaged $8.51 per possum, and about 30 possums per day, so around $240 for a days work.

Including tail
Thought that a no no ??

If you saw my plucking you would cringe
I am very slack pluckier - F~~cker

I can can skin 3 to plucking 1