Unit 1 [PDF] - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Sets for opossum:
• Cubby
• Live trap
Traps or trapping systems for
opossum:
• #120 body-grip
• #160 body-grip
• #220 body-grip
• Cage traps 9”x9”x30” or larger.
Lures and bait:
Almost any strong-smelling food
lure or bait will attract opossum.
Bobcat. FWS Photo
Front
Rear
Bobcat tracks.
Front/Rear
1.75” width by 2” length
Chapter 4 - Wisconsin’s Furbearer Resource
Biology:
Most breeding occurs in February with litters of 5-13 young. The young are
born after only 13 days, but move to the pouch where they stay for 60 days.
Some young will ride on the mother’s back by clinging to the fur, while others
remain in the pouch. The young become independent at about 4 months of age
and are sexually mature at 6-8 months.
Opossum are omnivorous, eating nearly any plant, animal, insect or carrion.
They are often attracted to road sides where they feed on road-killed animals
including other opossum. Coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat, eagles, snakes, hawks
and owls prey on opossums.
Habitat:
Opossum have a loosely defined territory. Some confine their movements to
10-40 acres while others travel constantly covering over 200 acres. They are
primarily nocturnal and spend the day in a hollow tree or log, brush pile, squirrel
nest, abandoned burrow or another dry, safe place. Opossum are common in
southern and central Wisconsin, although they occasionally are found in other
parts of the state. The susceptibility of their ears, nose, and tail to frostbite limits
them from moving farther north. Having a relatively small brain, dominated
by the olfactory (smell) regions, they are easily attracted by sweet or foul odors.
Sign:
Opossum tracks are distinctive, especially the widely angled “big toe” of the
hind foot. Opossum droppings though, are not distinctive and vary according
to the type of food eaten.
Trapping Techniques:
In Wisconsin, opossum are unprotected and may be trapped year-round by
persons possessing a trapping license. The opossum is not targeted by many
trappers, but commonly caught in many land sets. Most opossum are caught
while they are searching for food.
Bobcat
Lynx rufus; Order: Carnivora; Family: Felidae
Description:
An adult bobcat stands about 20-30 inches at the shoulder and in Wisconsin
weigh, 15-50 lbs. Short black tufts, up to an inch long, are found on the eartips.
Extending from the ears to the chin is a white, black, and gray ruff. The bobcat’s
fur is light fawn to rust brown in summer, and generally gray in winter.
The bobcat is named for its short, “bobtail”, which varies in length, but usually
measures around 6 inches. The tip of the bobcat’s tail is black above and white
Wisconsin Trapper Education Manual 36