Houseplant Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 I haven't been on a possum hunt or done much small game/pest control shooting for years. I bought a thermal spotter (Sytong XS03-25) that I wanted to try out and my friend Paul had a new permission, so we spent the evening walking the paddocks. I was the spotter and he was the shooter. Rifle was a CZ452 .22LR. The thermal certainly made it easier to find animals. I switched to a red LED torch once an animal had been located so that Paul could shoot it. Tally for the evening: Possums = 15; Rabbits = 1; Cats = 1. Paul plucked the possum fur to sell. Current price is $90/kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 (edited) I wonder what possum are like to eat? Have you tried one?? They look like they might be a booger to skin, like a big hefty squirrel. Good money for the skin of a pest. Edited February 8 by 7daysinaweek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Do you need to head shoot them so the pelt is not damaged? 39 minutes ago, 7daysinaweek said: I wonder what possum are like to eat? Have you tried one?? They look like they might be a booger to skin, like a big hefty squirrel. Good money for the skin of a pest. seems you can..https://citysanctuary.nz/news/tasty-possum-recipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 6 minutes ago, old'un said: Do you need to head shoot them so the pelt is not damaged? seems you can..https://citysanctuary.nz/news/tasty-possum-recipes 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 3 hours ago, Houseplant said: I haven't been on a possum hunt or done much small game/pest control shooting for years. I bought a thermal spotter (Sytong XS03-25) that I wanted to try out and my friend Paul had a new permission, so we spent the evening walking the paddocks. I was the spotter and he was the shooter. Rifle was a CZ452 .22LR. The thermal certainly made it easier to find animals. I switched to a red LED torch once an animal had been located so that Paul could shoot it. Tally for the evening: Possums = 15; Rabbits = 1; Cats = 1. Paul plucked the possum fur to sell. Current price is $90/kg. I presume the possum were introduced to NZ and now considered a pest, when you say plucked did he actually pluck it and is the hair is valued at $90 kg or is the the whole skinned animal worth that much and who eats them {questions questions😊] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 They are supposed to be good eating and plentiful in NZ. I saw some being hunted and cooked on a TV programme but can't remember which one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 I've not eaten possum and have no intention of doing so! I believe the younger animals are OK to eat, but you don't want to go there with a big old buck. I'll eat most things, but there is a psychological barrier there for me. I would if I had to though. Yes, they are an introduced species from Australia, brought over for the fur trade. Possums receive no quarter from anyone. Aside from the environmental damage they cause, I suspect it's because they are Australian! Unfortunately, it's $90/kg for the fur, not the pelt or the whole animal. If it was, I'd quit my day job and become a full time pest controller! Possums are plucked, just like you would pluck feathers off a game bird. Fur comes off really easily. Head shots aren't essential, but no one wants to process blood stained fur, so they are a good idea. Also, they are tough critters and chest shots with .22LR don't guarantee a humane kill. Some people sell skinned and gutted carcasses to the pet food industry. Anyone can do it after completing a simple "exam" related to food safety. The country is crawling with them and there is reasonable money to be made if you put the effort in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 For those that are interested. This guy is generally considered a pretty hardened bushman even by NZ standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted February 9 Report Share Posted February 9 20 hours ago, Houseplant said: For those that are interested. This guy is generally considered a pretty hardened bushman even by NZ standards. Can't connect. Is there any other way you can get to see this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted February 9 Author Report Share Posted February 9 Search Brush Tailed Possum Catch & Cook on YouTube. Channel is Keeping it Wild. It's a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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