How to Catch a Possum

The opossum was once limited to the eastern and southern quarter of the United States. The animal has been steadily expanding its range and is now found as far north as Canada and is common to the Pacific Northwest. An opossum is an opportunistic eater; and they will feed on vegetables, fruit, meat and carrion. They are slow and meandering in their movements, holding to no particular travel patterns. Catching an opossum -- whether with steel leg hold or live traps -- requires placing the trap in an area frequented by the animals, and then drawing them to the trap with bait.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel leghold traps, size 1
  • Rebar wire
  • Trowel
  • Live catch cage trap
  • Bait, meat or fruit
  • Opossum scent lure
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Build a V-shaped cubby pen one to two feet long and 12- to 18-inches high, with a front opening of 10- inches wide. Build it by stacking rocks, pieces of wood or branches on top of each other. The pen can also be built by pushing sticks upright into the ground next to each other to form the V.

    • 2

      Dig a hollow in the entrance to the pen big enough to place a set trap in -- and deep enough, so the top of the jaws are level with the surrounding ground. Place the trap in the hollow with the jaw hinges pointing toward the pen opening, so the animal steps between the jaws and not over them. Cover the trap lightly with leaves, grass or whatever is natural to the surrounding area.

    • 3

      Twist one end of a double strand of rebar wire to the trap chain ring and the other end of the wire to a solid object. Bury the chain and wire with the same materials used to cover the trap.

    • 4

      Place bait in the back of the pen. Use rotting fruit or tainted meat, as these give off more odor -- attracting the opossum in from a greater distance. Dip a dry twig in a bottle of opossum lure and toss it in the pen with the bait, to help draw the animal.

    • 5

      Set out a live catch trap in urban areas, where opossums are raiding garbage cans and eating pet food. Place the set trap in the yard, near the garbage cans or pet food. Bait the trap with fruit or canned cat food.