Possum threat. Kill it or leave it

stevealexo · 12-08-12, 05:51 PM

So we have 2 small dog one being a 5.5 pound toy yorkie and the other being a fat mix. Point is we let them in the backyard all the time to go pee at night. But the other day I heard a skunk being killed by something. Good chance it was attacked by a possum. I've never seen one around here. But a few months ago. One yorkie was barking like crazy at something in the shadows. So I went to go see what it was and it started hissing at me. But I could tell it wasn't a cat. So it leads me to belive we have a possum running around killing small critters. I've also found dead squirrels around. So I'm thinking about trapping and or killing this possum if I can bait it out of the shadows. But the tricky thing is I only have a pellet gun. What do you guys think I should do?

Hannibalcanibal · 12-08-12, 05:56 PM

Bear traps.

No, just call animal control.

KORBIN5895 · 12-08-12, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevealexo

So we have 2 small dog one being a 5.5 pound toy yorkie and the other being a fat mix. Point is we let them in the backyard all the time to go pee at night. But the other day I heard a skunk being killed by something. Good chance it was attacked by a possum. I've never seen one around here. But a few months ago. One yorkie was barking like crazy at something in the shadows. So I went to go see what it was and it started hissing at me. But I could tell it wasn't a cat. So it leads me to belive we have a possum running around killing small critters. I've also found dead squirrels around. So I'm thinking about trapping and or killing this possum if I can bait it out of the shadows. But the tricky thing is I only have a pellet gun. What do you guys think I should do?

I recommend doing some research. I have lived in opossum country my whole life and this is the first I have heard of opossums killing small animals. I can almost guarantee that opossum didn't kill the squirrels as opossums are nocturnal and squirrels are diurna

Zoo Nanny · 12-08-12, 07:28 PM

Sounds more like a fisher cat problem. If it is be careful they are very aggressive and will go after your dogs and won't back down from you.
Opossum hunt rodents, snakes, amphibians and insects.

**Pareeeee** · 12-08-12, 07:48 PM

If you are concerned about a threatening animal, call animal control.

Doesn't sound like an opossum (definitely not a possum, those are only native to Australia) I doubt they would attack other animals like that.

Zoo Nanny could be right about the fisher. Even though some people call them "Fisher Cats" they are not cats. They are in the weasel family. I have only seen a dead one on the road, and they are huge compared to most weasels. One of the only animals brave and cunning enough to take on porcupines successfully.

Here's what a Fisher looks like.

I would need to know what province you are in to be sure, they are not native to all of Canada. If you live out west, could have been a Badger.

Gungirl · 12-08-12, 07:58 PM

Sounds like a fisher to me.. I would shot it if it was on my property. Then again I am not as nice as most people..

nick654377 · 12-08-12, 09:11 PM

id kill it.

stevealexo · 12-08-12, 09:17 PM

I'm in southern Ontario. And I'm not calling anyone to deal with a problem that I can deal with. And it was a skunk that was killed in the middle of the night. I never heard anything scream like that before. No matter what it has to be dealt with before it hurts one of the dogs.

nick654377 · 12-08-12, 09:18 PM

id say a nice .223 and watch it implode......

stevealexo · 12-08-12, 09:23 PM

Lol I'm in canada we pretty much can't have guns. And even if I could have guns. Shooting them in the city may not go over too well. Like I only have a 495fps pellet gun. but I got some good hunting pellets. But still I'm afriad it won't be strong enough to kill it quickly. However I don't have much of a choice. But I am thinking about getting a bow.

nick654377 · 12-08-12, 09:30 PM

dont worry use the pellet gun. i took out an annoying big big bird (not saying what it was) with mine from 60 yards away and it was a pump one! i also hit it in its jugular so it was done within 10 seconds

Jay · 12-08-12, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevealexo

Lol I'm in canada we pretty much can't have guns. And even if I could have guns. Shooting them in the city may not go over too well. Like I only have a 495fps pellet gun. but I got some good hunting pellets. But still I'm afriad it won't be strong enough to kill it quickly. However I don't have much of a choice. But I am thinking about getting a bow.

I have 15 Firearms.. Obtained leagaly.

Using the pelet gun method, will most likely be inhuman.

Research your prey and trap it.

Jay · 12-08-12, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick654377

dont worry use the pellet gun. i took out an annoying big big bird (not saying what it was) with mine from 60 yards away and it was a pump one! i also hit it in its jugular so it was done within 10 seconds

Nice shot, but this is not a bird.

EmbraceCalamity · 12-08-12, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevealexo

And I'm not calling anyone to deal with a problem that I can deal with.

Uh, why not? Obviously you don't know how to deal with the problem since you don't have proper firepower to kill it and you don't even know what it is. No one needs you shooting at something in the shadows. That's just hazardous to everyone and everything. Just call animal control and let them deal with it. That's their job.

~Maggot

stevealexo · 12-08-12, 09:49 PM

That is a good shot. I have taken out a dozen+birds with it too. Nothing big though just little pest birds. But I did take out a rabbit once and I got a head shot on it. But I was only like 15 yards away. But point is if it can take out rabbits. I can take out whatever it is running around my yard. As long as it's not just some crazy cat. (I don't like cats but I won't shoot them)