by Alastair Harris

Created on: February 27, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

When the word Possum is mention most people think of the possums in the United States. However down-under the possum is known as the Brush-tailed Possums are a cute creature with great fur. In their homeland of Australia they are a protected species as are most Australian native animals. Thanks to Australia's climate they are common but controlled.

However two and half thousand kilometers away in New Zealand the possum story is very different. Introduced for their pelts the possum found the perfect breeding environment. Plenty of food, no drought, no predators. This is bad news for the New Zealand native environment. So successful are the possums that it is estimated to be over 160 million eating their way through native trees like its going out of fashion. Many of their favorite species are dying. Not good news. Also the possums spread disease among herd animals like cows. The government spreads poison around to keep numbers down. I object to poison being spread in the environment and I would think a quick death as a result of a gun rather than dying of being poison would preferable for any creature.

Thanks to the anti-fur Nazi's who are ignorant in their understanding of the environment their is little money to be made from getting what is a top quality pelt which makes great jackets, rugs and more. So real men who enjoy hunting and enjoy time in the woods hunt them for fun.

A .22 semi-automatic rifle with a scope is ideal for hunting. Hollow point bullets ensure a quick humane kill. The only other equipment necessary is a bright high beam torch. By shining this in the trees you can quickly spot possums. The other advantage is the possums own response when faced by a bright light. They freeze and look towards it. Two bright yellow points of light are reflected back at you from the creatures eyes. This making a humane shot quick and easy. To aim directly between the two points and the shot will connect immediately with its brain ensuring instant death. The possum will then drop to the ground making retrieval easy. It is important to check the pouch to see if the possum has any babies to ensure a quick death is administered rather than letting the poor baby freeze to death.

Possums are such a plague in New Zealand that its easy to bag over a hundred in one night. I've even heard of 60 being taken out of one large tree. A night in the bush with a group of friends is a great experience. Sharing the rifle around and practicing your sniper skills. Its possible with a scope to make a shot of over 100 meters thanks to the twin points of light to aim at.

Do the environment a favor and go for a possum hunt in New Zealand.

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