The Opossum Season.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1922, Page 2

The Opossum Season.

REGULATIONS ISSUED

Regulations respecting opossums were published in the Gazette last week. They deal with the taking of opossums, the issue of licenses mul the sale ot skins. Persons killing opossums and brokers handling the skins require to be licensed. Opossums may be taken or hole only in the following manner: -

(„) lfy means of a running noose fixed in such manner that the head of the animal will pass through the noose.' (b) Ry shotting with a pea-rifle, except in scenic reserves. (c) By means of the trap known as the American jump-trap with' or without teeth, or by the box trap, oi by the ordinary rabbit-trap. (d ) All such traps for the taking of opossums must be placed on the ground while in use. Any ranger of any acclimatisation society or any forest officer is hereby empowered to seize any traps that are illegal for the taking of opossums, if being used or found in use by any trapper, and may also seize any opossums or skins of opossums which in such ranger’s opinion have been illegally taken. All traps or other contiivanccs used for the purpose of taking opossums must be visited by the licensee at least once daily.

Opossums may be without license by occupiers of registered orchards or by their employees (1) in the orenards, (2) within half a mile of the orchards, or (3) within certain defined fruit-growing districts. A similar concesson apples to .occupiers of land within half a mile of tbe orchards.

Open seasons for the killing of opossums have been declared in the West,, lpnd district-—Juno Ist to .Tidy 13th,