THE OPOSSUM SEASON

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 260, 3 August 1928, Page 10

THE OPOSSUM SEASON

IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR GOOD SKINS

Up till yesterday morning 394 licenses had been issued for the taking of opossums in the Wellington Acclimatisation district, which is only ten below the record number issued for the 1926 season, but as there are still four weeks to go of the present season, it would surprise no one if that record were broken this year. This because the conditions so far have been ideal—an absence of stormy and very wet weather, and a long series of cold, clear nights. Such perfect weather is favourable for the taking of opossums of both sexes, whereas when the season is very wet the majority of opossums trapped are of the female species; this because the comfort-loving male will not move out and about so readily, whereas the female has her young to feed, and perforce must face any conditions in order to gain sustenance for her family. In weather such as has been experienced for tiie past month “all hands” are out on the forage, so that the trappers should be having a busy time in the bush.

As is not unusual, there was a good deal of poaching before the season opened, and, as the result of the activities of the society’s rangers, the society came into the possession of over 400 skins, the greater part of which were sold at autcion in June, and realised an average of Bs. 9d. per skin. As these were trapped in Ma.v( before the really cold weather set in, and when the animals had not grown their winter coats, the figure mentioned should be an indication that prices for winter skins this season should be good.