Possum on the Porch

[BeckyLa]

 

[BirdBrain]

Now I am thinking I would be much more comfortable using that big fellow as target practice for the new air rifle my DH bought me...picking up with my hands....NO WAY!!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
When I lived in fort lauderdale Florida I went through the mcdonald's drive thru. I look up and right beside the speaker was a small yucca tree and a possum was clinging to it for all its life. It was so afraid you could see it shaking and it wouldn't climb down because of all the cars pulling up to the speaker. I couldn't for the life of me think how it could live where there was no trees or bushes for it to hide or sleep in. It was all concrete and buildings in that area.

 

[rooster-red]

That is the biggest one I ever caught, ever seen for that matter.
I'm guessing he was at the least 15 lbs.

 

[rooster-red]

This is the normal size we get

 

[Buckguy20]

They don't always "play possum" do they? Some are very mean. That guy is a big one! There are chicken and dumpling recipes on the board tonight maybe you could just use this big guy instead of chicken.
As for attracting predators I think it is better to attract them and catch them than to let them show up on their own and get your chickens.
There are all kinds of critters in big cities. Coons, possums, skunks and foxes to name a few. I used to run an early morning sales route in OKC and I saw all of the above plus Coyotes and bobcats right in town.

 

[okiechick57]

OH MY GOSH you touch them?

 

[rooster-red]

Guess I should tell you, I used to be an ACO
This one is no problem, try handling a full grown black bear walking down the side of the interstate armed with only a 5' catch pole... While 2 armed state patrolmen watch from their cars!

I used my vehicle to persuede him to turn back to the woods.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
I do wash my hands afterward

 

[foxtrapper]

There are tons of wild critters in the big cities.

As for baiting a trap because one possum was seen... Bait calls in a critter, are you sure you want to call it, and any others in the area, into your yard?

I wouldn't recommend reacting to a one time passing visit.