Trail camera advice

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#3216504 10-Apr-2024 11:55

Kill trap with cinnamon apples.

I wouldn't bother with a live trap, myself. Where there is one possum, there are usually more.

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#3216505 10-Apr-2024 11:56

I've currently got 3 Timms traps on the go. The score is 32 so far with most being caught in the trap about 400mm off the ground on a clothesline support post. Strangely in the fortnight since the last possum that trap has caught 2 blackbirds. The only other non possum was a hedgehog before I lifted the traps off the ground. Apple and cinnamon every time, peanut butter doesn't seem to work here.

johno1234

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#3216510 10-Apr-2024 12:03

Might just nail a couple of cinnamon apples to some trees and see if they disappear real quick...

pih

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#3216516 10-Apr-2024 12:32

johno1234:

@cddt @pih what bait are you using - cinnamon apples?

@cddt are you using a live capture or kill trap?

Thanks

Cinnamon is good, I actually use Chinese 5 spice which includes anise. Chop the apple into bite sized pieces and give it a good dusting. The more surface area the greater the scent. Works a treat.

Tinkerisk

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#3216631 10-Apr-2024 17:08

cddt:

A trail cam won't tell you anything more than you already know, which is that you have possums in your neighbourhood.

What you need is a possum trap.

Without confirmation of what it is? That could cost me my hunting permit.

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#3216662 10-Apr-2024 17:43

The "Timms" style traps are unlikely to kill anything other than possums due to the geometry and assuming use of a bait that is not attractive to non-pest species.

We are currently trapping and baiting for rats after spotting a few and the cat bringing in a couple. They've gobbled up the brodifacoum blocks that I out out in tunnels but yet to catch anything in the traps.

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neb

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#3216667 10-Apr-2024 18:01

johno1234:
Hi all,

Sometimes we hear a noise on our metal roof, and suspect it is a possum. There's a large tree that touches the roof so they/it could be living up there. I'd like to find out and figure a trail camera could help. Anyone have any recommendation or advice?

In our previous house we had a huge phoenix palm with a resident possie. As it was outside the lounge window we'd often see him marching down the trunk after dusk. I tried and tried to trap the bugger, but never succeeded.

Decent trail cameras are going to be expensive and, since they're intended for use in remote locations, typically run off batteries and record to an SD card so you'll need to physically access the device every time you want to check photos. You'll also find that, unless you get one of the pricier ones with built-in image displays, for the first few lots of shots you'll get half a paw or a tail or whatever until you get the camera set up exactly right.

For your situation a much easier solution would be to get a $5 chew card and see if you get any hits on it. That'll definitely tell you you've got possums, and only takes a glance to check.

neb

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#3216668 10-Apr-2024 18:09

johno1234:
Never caught a damn thing. I set it up on the trunk of the palm tree and the possum walked right past it every night. Moved it to other trees on the property and also never got touched. That possum knew it was trouble.

In urban areas the possums are often quite trap-shy and you need to get them with poison instead. I'd recommend Double Tap, which is the usual blood thinner plus vitamin D3 to increase its effectiveness.

If you want the full details, check the trap.nz forums, in particular this thread.

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#3216670 10-Apr-2024 18:12

I’ve put up a security camera that’s solar powered on a tree stump that picks up our house wifi and works well. Cost less than $100 on aliexpress search for 8MP HD 4K 10000 mAh Dual Lens Wifi Solar Camera IP CCTV Surveillance Cameras Battery Low Power Wireless Outdoor Solar ip Camera

I can control remotely, up down left right, good low light coverage, has allowed me to track feral cats and possums.

Peter

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#3216671 10-Apr-2024 18:13

johno1234:
The "Timms" style traps are unlikely to kill anything other than possums due to the geometry and assuming use of a bait that is not attractive to non-pest species.

Friend of mine's wife got a blackbird in one (without intending to, obviously), the bar came down and decapitated it, so it is possible.

If you do get a Timms, get a Flipping Timmy which is much, much easier to rebait, and attach it to a piece of timber that leans at 45 degrees to something, possums will run up it and stick their heads in while ground-based things don't poke around in them.

Again, check the trap.nz forum I linked previously for more details.

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#3216673 10-Apr-2024 18:27

Tinkerisk:

cddt:

A trail cam won't tell you anything more than you already know, which is that you have possums in your neighbourhood.

What you need is a possum trap.

Without confirmation of what it is? That could cost me my hunting permit.

AFAIK, that only applies on DOC land.

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#3216881 11-Apr-2024 09:02

Gurezaemon:

Tinkerisk:

Without confirmation of what it is? That could cost me my hunting permit.

AFAIK, that only applies on DOC land.

I'm sure there are a few strictly protected animal species in your area that are not possums and can get trapped.

johno1234

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#3216883 11-Apr-2024 09:08

Can't think of any that are likely.

cddt

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#3216942 11-Apr-2024 10:01

Tinkerisk:

Without confirmation of what it is? That could cost me my hunting permit.

I know you are not based in NZ, therefore legal and cultural norms are different.

Pest control in Germany is very different to NZ.

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cddt

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#3216943 11-Apr-2024 10:03

Tinkerisk:

I'm sure there are a few strictly protected animal species in your area that are not possums and can get trapped.

Morepork, fantail, keruru, tui, kaka, etc.

But if you don't trap the pests (in urban areas primarily rats and possums), there won't be any birds, because they simply won't survive long enough to leave the nest.

Trapping roaming cats would be helpful for native species too, but is socially frowned upon.

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