OPOSSUM TRAPPING.

Shannon News, 7 September 1928, Page 3

OPOSSUM TRAPPING.

REPORT ON X 927 SEASON.

The report by the Wellington Acclimatisation Society on the 1927 opossum trapping season states that the usual dates —July 20th to August 31st were gazetted, and the general regulations were slightly amended. In the Wellington area 364 licensed trappers went out, and 97 bona fide occupiers of land'tranned on the same. The report goes on: “The weather for the greater part of the season was goodgood weather is only in the forest during these months. The return proved that the fur-bearers are holding their own in the Wellington area, as 4.61 authorised persons lifted 56,079 skins, as against 477 and 58,868 for last year. Fair average takes were registered, and as prices ruled .-on the high side, the expert trappers obtained good cheques. Eight convictions for breaches of the regulations were registered by the Society’s rangers. The total skin yield was 139,300 (for the Dominion), as against approximately 155,000 for 1926. The Wellington dates for 1928 will be as before, from 20th July to 31st August, and the season will undoubtedly be a busy one, as ever since February enquiries have been coming to the office. A number of forfeited skins sold at auction recently averaged 8s each. Many small skins were included, and on this basis fur should command good prices. The oposjsum is still a pest, “officially,’’ and its liberation is banned.’’