opossum

highnote

highnote

New Member
I set a trap this weekend to catch some feral cats that have been running around. This morning I found a opossum in the trap. I don't want to just release it (I have too many outdoor animals and don't need a scavenger around). What are my options? Are there any laws in the area that would prevent me from dealing with opossums? I don't really want to shoot it, or release it anywhere (he could find his way back). Will animal control come get it? Any other ideas? He is live (unharmed).
 
NorthBeachPerso

NorthBeachPerso

Honorary SMIB
Technically you can't trap without a trapper's license or a special permit from DNR to trap nuisance wildlife (and that permit is real specific as to the animal).
In Calvert, anyway, Animal Control won't come and get the animal. If you take it to the Tri-County Animal Shelter they'll ask for the previously mentioned permit number.
Technically it's also illegal to release the animal elsewhere (especially skunks, foxes, raccoons or coyotes-rabies) but................. if you don't want to shoot it (.22 recommended) you might want to take it on a road trip 5 or 10 miles away.
 
cattitude

cattitude

My Sweetest Boy
NorthBeachPerso said:
Technically you can't trap without a trapper's license or a special permit from DNR to trap nuisance wildlife (and that permit is real specific as to the animal).
In Calvert, anyway, Animal Control won't come and get the animal. If you take it to the Tri-County Animal Shelter they'll ask for the previously mentioned permit number.
Technically it's also illegal to release the animal elsewhere (especially skunks, foxes, raccoons or coyotes-rabies) but................. if you don't want to shoot it (.22 recommended) you might want to take it on a road trip 5 or 10 miles away.
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Animal control came to my house (in Calvert) on Friday and caught, removed and released an opossum. I also spoke with the Director of Environmental Health at the Calvert Health Department and he told me to call them if we have a problem again and he would come out to remove a nuisance animal.

Depending on the circumstances, they will release an opossum as only in very rare instances do they contract rabies.

Keep in mind animals are foraging like crazy right now because of the long period of snow cover and their habits are mixed up. Typically nocturnal animals are seen during the day, etc.
 
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NorthBeachPerso

NorthBeachPerso

Honorary SMIB
cattitude said:
Animal control came to my house (in Calvert) on Friday and caught, removed and released an opossum. I also spoke with the Director of Environmental Health at the Calvert Health Department and he told me to call them if we have a problem again and he would come out to remove a nuisance animal.

Depending on the circumstances, they will release an opossum as only in very rare instances do they contract rabies.

Keep in mind animals are foraging like crazy right now because of the long period of snow cover and their habits are mixed up. Typically nocturnal animals are seen during the day, etc.
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Glad to hear Animal Control in Calvert does that now. A couple of years ago we had a nuisance animal problem (raccoon) and they wouldn't come out.
 
idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
We "took care" of the possum we found in the chicken coop. No one cares out here in the sticks.

Really, if you don't want to kill it, your best option is to take it on a little road trip and let it out somewhere remote.
 
bcp

bcp

In My Opinion
to get the permit you only have to make a phone call, they give you the number over the phone. (at least in AA county)
Dont get caught releasing it away from the house, and two, from 5 to 10 miles, it will find its way back anyway, so you might as well just let it go where you catch it.

and, unless you have chickens, what issue does a opossum reall cause that requires its removal?
 
cattitude

cattitude

My Sweetest Boy
bcp said:
and, unless you have chickens, what issue does a opossum reall cause that requires its removal?
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In our case, we had an awful fight between a raccoon and an opossum on our front porch..blood everywhere. Never found the raccoon (after the fight) but the opossum was still hanging around. After everything we went through a few years ago with our dogs and raccoons, we thought it best to have the opossum removed.
 
M

Mr.Steed

New Member
highnote said:
I set a trap this weekend to catch some feral cats that have been running around. This morning I found a opossum in the trap. I don't want to just release it (I have too many outdoor animals and don't need a scavenger around). What are my options? Are there any laws in the area that would prevent me from dealing with opossums? I don't really want to shoot it, or release it anywhere (he could find his way back). Will animal control come get it? Any other ideas? He is live (unharmed).
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Don't even consider shooting that creature, would be unnecessary and unjust. Take it to park land and release. They are actually good creatures to have around as they clean up the yard; and by the way, they are not diggers, their feet are too soft. And as posted, a rabid opossum would be rare indeed, their metabolism is generally too slow to support the rabies virus.
 
Black-Francis

Black-Francis

New Member
Mr.Steed said:
Don't even consider shooting that creature, would be unnecessary and unjust. Take it to park land and release. They are actually good creatures to have around as they clean up the yard; and by the way, they are not diggers, their feet are too soft. And as posted, a rabid opossum would be rare indeed, their metabolism is generally too slow to support the rabies virus.
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tits.gif good advice!
 
T

toppick08

Guest
Just throw the trap in a garbage can full of water.....:shrug:
 
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