When I lived in Tenn. some friends and I gathered possum all summer
long and released them in the hollow near where we lived.  The fall after the
first cold spell we would harvest.  This is when the coat if at its fullest
with undercoat hair and all.  The money was good for the fur.
       We fed the animals getting rid of the wild flavor with a mixture of
oatmeal and corn for a week.  A mixture of pollen, propulas, and honey was
feed the last day before harvesting the meat.  When cooked with carrots,
onions (Ramps if you like'em), and potatoes the meat is excellent.  Raccoon
is even better.  Be sure to save the jewelry from the male.
       Trapping possum is easy, they are dum.  Once caught transport away
from the area and release.  Possums may show up from scent.  Try elevating
your hives alittle higher from the ground.  Raccoons are another story, try
another state for the distance needed.  You might trap one but anymore are
educated on that form of trap.
       I have mouse/snake problem.  They go hand and hand.  I trap a mouse
and put it into a wire cage live with food and water.  The wire mesh has to
be big enough for the snake to get in for lunch but can't get back out.  I
move the snake some distance away. This works for me.  I had a 6 foot black
snake, which I leave at the site, return 7 times while I was working the same
hive.
       The sites that have the Fox squirrels and deer are one of the reasons
I enjoy beekeeping.  The Fox squirrel comes to a tree limb within a few feet
of me and barks.  He then sits there and watches for an hour.  Simply
beautiful.
       Michael Housel      pure Hillbilly              Orlandobee

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