September, 1943 Brown & YEAGER: 
lation provided under the law in force at 
the time of the survey is practically im- 
possible. 
4. Enforce more effectively regulations 
against spearing and shooting of muskrats. 
Opossum 
The opossum, fig. 17, is taken in every 
Illinois county, but occurs in compara- 
tively small numbers in the northern part 
of the state. For the season of 1938-39 
the calculated catch was 244,242 pelts, 
worth $48,848.40; and in 1939-40 the 
catch was 171,590 pelts, worth $34,- 
318.00, table 7. The catch figures do not 
represent the total numbers of opossums 
taken because very low prices for opossum 
furs in both seasons caused an unknown 
percentage to be thrown away by fur- 
takers. Another, and perhaps appreciable, 
part of the total take was used for food, 
especially by people of foreign extraction 
in the southern Il|linois coal region, and 
undoubtedly pelts of many of the animals 
so used were not sold. The actual take 
may easily have been 50 per cent greater 
than the figures given. 
Popularity.—Fur-takers showed com- 
paratively little enthusiasm concerning the 
opossum. Of the fur-takers questioned in 
1938-39, 234 desired more and 44 fewer 
opossums; of those questioned in 1939-40, 
316 wanted more and 43 wanted fewer, 
table 7. Coming directly from trappers 
and hunters, these figures reflect distinct 
lack of appreciation. Not even the skunk 
ranked so low in popularity among fur- 
takers. Only gray fox, red fox and weasel 
showed lower popularity percentages, but 
none of these ranked among the most im- 
portant Illinois fur animals. Some fur- 
takers objecting to a further increase of 
opossums were motivated by the nuisance 
caused by this species, as when getting 
into traps set for more valuable animals. 
Others resented opossum depredation on 
poultry. A few night hunters were inter- 
ested in coon hunting only, and thus found 
the abundance of opossums objectionable. 
The principal reason for the opossum’s 
position in public esteem is the low value 
of its fur; a higher value would register 
an immediate and positive change in atti- 
tude. Among non-fur-takers over the 
state, this species probably ranks next to 
foxes and weasels in unpopularity, a posi- 
SuRVEY OF Fur RESOURCE 
459 
Fig. 17—Female opossum with nine young 
in pouch. The young of this species are born 
in an immature condition and remain in the 
pouch for several weeks. 
tion undoubtedly due to its reputed de- 
structiveness to domestic fowls. 
Damage and Control.—The objec- 
tionable characteristics of the opossum, ex- 
cept for the alleged destructiveness to 
small game, has been sufficiently indicated 
in the preceding paragraphs. In situations 
in which opossums are known to be caus- 
ing damage, the writers recommend trap- 
ping as a means of control. This is a 
simple remedy since opossums are easily 
taken in any sort of baited set. Or they 
may be readily taken with dogs. 
Populations.—In_ general, fur-takers 
interviewed reported a steady increase in 
opossum numbers from 1936 to 1939, 
when populations seemed to level off or 
decrease. For the two seasons covered by 
the survey, the actual decrease, if any, 
was probably less than the 30 per cent 
reduction indicated by the catch. The 
1939-40 catch is known to have been lim- 
ited by low prices and very dry weather 
