Possipot Possum Bait Station.jpg

Possum Fur Business Opportunity

This commentary is written as at July 2010, so the figures and comments are relevant at this point. We will endeavour to update the information if circumstances change.

The PossiPot pack contains 20 bait stations, 25 wooden skewers and one warning poster. The individual components of the pack can be purchased separately. The items can be supplied in bulk and for orders of over 200, the price is negotiable.

The packs are priced at $38.00, which includes GST and freight.

The bait stations are biodegradable and are manufactured in China from bamboo fibre. They have been laboratory tested (copy of report available upon request) to confirm that they do not contain any components which would be harmful to the environment, as they degrade back into the soil.

The bait stations have been trialled on the Dargaville property of Mr Hugh Rose for the last year and even with constant use, are not as yet showing any signs of degrading. We expect them to last at least twelve months in regular use, however, with extended ground contact they are designed to soften and pests including possums may destroy the bait stations.

The bait stations are scented with an apple and cinnamon lure, which will fade over time, the period depending upon weather conditions and usage. Trappers should add their own lure or a commercial prebait mix to further encourage possums to the bait station.

In areas where there are farm or domestic animals, or kiwis, it is preferable to mount the bait station on fence posts or trees at a height above the reach of enquiring tongues or beaks. They are easily drilled through the base and can be attached to a post or tree with string, thereby not penetrating the bark of the trees.

The PossiPot bait station is ideal for using as part of a poisoning programme for possums. They are...

  • Visual: For both possum and trapper to find in the bush.
  • Audible: Although rats and mice are unable to eat the bait station, they are also attracted to it and while trying to eat it, create a commotion that will attract the possum. The pot shape amplifies the sound.
  • Odiferous: Impregnated with the best apple and cinnamon scent. The bait station can be laced with any lure the trapper may wish to use.
  • Tough and Strong: Expected to last at least one year.
  • Biodegradable: Look after your PossiPots and they will last at least twelve months. If you leave them in the bush, they will soften sufficiently to be eaten by rodents or will degrade back into the soil.
  • Cost Effective: At less than $2.00 per bait station.

The PossiPot bait station is most effective using a gel-based poison, the pot tilted slightly forward as the skewer is placed in the ground offers some weather protection and mounted on the skewer enables it to move with the wind, sheltering the bait.

During our trials, the skewers were tried at various heights before 25cm was decided as the optimum height. The skewer makes it difficult for slugs and snails to enter the bait station, and unstable enough to prevent birds landing on them. At 25cm high the possum can get his nose and tongue directly into the pot without having to stand on his hind quarters.

The use of bait other than cyanide will result in the possum going away and dying in its burrow, tree nest, dead log etc. This will not enable you to recover the fur, but will result in reduced damage to forests and nurseries, etc.

The use of cyanide paste results in the possum dying within a 3 metre radius of the bait station. Possum fur is at present fetching on average $100 per kilo, with each possum yielding about $5.00 worth of fur.

With a healthy possum population you are sitting on a gold mine! OK, it does cost a bit to get into the serious fur business but even if you only kill one a day that's still around $2,000 a year in harvested fur.

Possum fur is in high demand. It pays to shop around to get the best price and the important thing is to keep the standard of the product high. Talk to your buyer as to how they want the product and don't let the fur get wet or contaminated with leaves, twigs or mud, etc.

Prices fluctuate and likewise so does fur quality with the best fur coming from down South and the worst in Northland. However, Possum fur is recognised as a thermally efficient product and is sought after for the production of duvets, throw rugs, high quality woollen garments and arctic military uniforms.

It does pay to shop around for the best prices and depending on your locality who you deal with. Either browse the internet for Possum Fur Buyers or check out your local council.

Here are the websites of a few buyers and let us know of any buyers out there who should be added! In the meantime apologies for omissions, etc.

When you are serious about getting into the fur recovery business it pays to establish a good relationship with your local DOC and Council people, your nearest Farmers of New Zealand representative [link], and any nearby forestry concerns.

Possum fur can be recovered by hand or with a plucking machine. These are available either new or appear from time to time on sites such as Trade Me. Got my first machine this way. However, owing to the sheer volume of possums obtainable with PossiPots, I upgraded to a state of the art backpack plucker courtesy of Dawson's, so nowadays I leave the carcasses in the bush to attract wild pigs and provide plant fodder. It saves carting the carcasses back to base for plucking and then having to do another trip for disposal.

Wet possums - it happens. I suggest you carry a bit of twine and hang the critters in a tree so air can circulate and the predators don't have things too easy.

You will need a poisons license and a quantity of leg hold traps. To obtain your poisons license check out your local council or DOC to find out where the nearest course is to be had. You will need to be over 18years of age and not have a criminal record.

When trapping or poisoning possums remember how the possum gets around in the bush. Sight first. Ears second, Smell third and Taste the last thing it ever does.

It is possible for a possum to get a non-lethal dose of poison and from that point on he will never go near cyanide again! That's why having a few leg hold traps are handy.

You can hang the PossiPot from a branch above a minefield of leg hold traps to lure the critters to where you want them.

Good Luck , we look forward to any suggestions plus your feedback.

More PossiPot information: