Thread: Wanting to get into possum trapping - looking for tips and advice.

Theres heaps of different traps for sale, some are excellent, some not so good. The PCR traps are ok, kinda, but there is better out there. I've found the Victor's and the Dukes to be the best, reasonably light, easy to set, and they hold well. When you do check a line of say 20 traps and find you have 4 or 5 sprung and empty, the extra cost for quality traps seems insignificant.

Theres a number of good video's on Yuotube, watched some good ones yesterday. Theyre not tutoriasls as such, but if you watch the good guys you will see what is a good set. Bedding properly is key. Take your time setting each and every trap perfect, you will make more money with trapped possums than you ever will from sprung traps.

Lots of little tricks too - possums are quite inquisitive. If you flag tape your trap positions then put the flagging tape directly above the trap, about a metre. The tape flapping in the winds gets themn curious. Can speed up your plucking process, plucking in to a plastic bag etc is a bit time consuming in a good ol' nor wester. Theres better ways fo doing it. The "sleepy stick" or 'sleepy hammer" works ok but can be messy, and as some have said, isnt always decisive. I carry a single shot 22 when i've got the grandkids with me, faster and cleaner. I always work one possum behind if things are busy, have one hanging on the 4 wheeler so the blood doesnt get on the fur, while I deal to the next one. Then pluck the first one while the second is hanging. This way the fur has "let down" and is easier plucking. If its hard to pluck, then it aint let down, then its probably not dead! You will find out when it tries to climb up your leg.