Grubby the possum in Homer. What's your thoughts?

[SmokeRoss]

The hippies or the possums?

At the local bar...the loggers were staring at the bikers, who were staring at the hippies, who were hoping they'd get out of there alive.

 

[tvfinak]

The hippies or the possums?

YES!

 

[tvfinak]

Oh how I agree with this! I won’t say more then that because likely whatever I say will likely be misconstrued with some political agenda. But put it into perspective, look how much they (ADFG) complain and target pike (South Central AK). Granted I know that is a never ending issue on its own. But the point is, they are Both invasive species that disrupt the balance. If the possum gets a pass it will create problems.

Having been around possums growing up in the SE US, I wonder what harm the possums would do, and if they could even survive in AK.

They are pretty adaptable as to food sources, but don't handle cold very well without any real fur.

Dogs like the chase them, but I don't know if they have any real enemies in the wild. One would think they would be a good food source for something.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

if they can survive minnesota winters they will have no issue in homer. or anywhere south of the alaska range

 

[kasilofchrisn]

if they can survive minnesota winters they will have no issue in homer. or anywhere south of the alaska range

Exactly!
If they can survive in northern Minnesota they should survive just fine in South Central Alaska.
And we can't really know what effects they might have on local flora and fauna or local wildlife until it actually occurs.

 

[sea2summit]

They are a very beneficial animal. They eat tons of ticks. Don't ever get rabies. Not gonna spray.

They can get rabies....they are just low risk based on diet. I've seen some as pets, they seem okay. They are pretty ugly critters though and invasive, they will destroy some eggs as well so sea birds down along the coast would not do well with a invasive possum population.

 

[SmokeRoss]

Apparently, there are still some offspring loose in Homer. Last I saw they have captured 3. People are still spotting more.

 

[dogpoofs]

I don't recall the turkeys. I remember there were rabbits all over the place just north of Delta Jct some years ago. They were all along both side of the road when we drove down from Fairbanks to Pump Station 9. Haven't been back up that way in quite a while now.

Handful of years ago was natural high rabbit year. It happens. Population peaks, food supply dwindles and predators take more, population dips, predators lose food. Rinse repeat. Those were natural to my understanding but in Valdez they were bunnies raised by an older guy with a private campground who thought kids would like them. He died and also had now tons of domestic bunnies loose is my understanding.

 

[vince desert rat]

If they aren’t native to the area, smoke ‘em.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

In homer now. If it runs across the road I will hit the gas

 

[iofthetaiga]

In homer now. If it runs across the road I will hit the gas

If it lays there after you pass over it it might just be "playing dead". Be sure to back up and make sure you get it with a tire.