On The Hunt
Well it's happened, I've gone possum hunting. I know, I know, my Californian and Australian friends will gasp and judge, but in New Zealand possums are considered a nonnative pest worse than rats. They breed like rabbits and kill the native bird and plant life, something considered extremely precious here, so it is not uncommon to see poison and traps set out on tramping trails with a loudly vocal NZ desire for their demise. Now, I admit, although the Alaskan half of me understands the necessity of shooting destructive pests for survival (squirrels, for instance, are an Alaskan enemy of insolation and carriers of disease), the other Californian half couldn't help but hear Bambi crying "moooother" as my host and I zoomed off into the night to extinguish these native bush killing demons. Yes, a continual moral conflict ensued as I high beamed the trees looking for the red-eyed flashes of these night dwellers hoping their cuteness would not overcome practicality. And there is a practical function beyond extermination. Possum fur is actually quite soft and warm which is why it can be sold in NZ to make gloves, hats and other winter apparel. To collect this chinchilla soft fur, one must pull it off the body within the first 5-10 min. of shooting the poor animal while the body is still warm, otherwise it becomes difficult to separate from the skin. Now, while participating in this type of activity, it is important to note that I clung desperately to Alaskan wilderness rules of engagement in order to rationalize smashing the possum head with my gumboot heal after shooting it. This is an act of mercy to be sure the animal does not suffer, but that is still very hard to watch and reconcile when having to kill the baby in its pouch as well (yes, one mother and it's baby -- so sad!). In the end, after the deaths of 6.5 possums and a couple missed, I suppose I've given my NZ contribution to pest control. And although the experience did not turn me into a vegetarian or stronger animal rights activist, it did strengthen my resolve and understanding that if you must kill, it should have a practical purpose and be done with respect and mercy when ending an animal's life. It is a strange thing to take death in your hands and it should never, no matter the practical necessity or even sport, be taken lightly.
Updated September 18, 2014: Killing possums continues to happen in all sorts of places. Staying in a modern home in Whitianga, a possum ran onto the porch/deck and hid under the BBQ. Yes, my Australian host got his .22, killed it and stripped the fur. Pests indeed.
