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Story: Possums

Skinning possums

Possums are trapped for their fur and meat. A good hunter can skin a dead possum in seconds – watch Merv Allen demonstrating his technique. The record for skinning a possum is 9.5 seconds, achieved by Ivan Gutsell, from Southland.

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Possums – Spread of possums, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/16889/skinning-possums (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.

Comments

Sarah
27 November 2011
Dear Merv, My ex skinned possums, but he was nothing like you, very impressive. Have you eaten possum meat? If so, do you find that quickly removing the testicles improves the taste of the meat? Thanks
allan thompson
10 August 2010
i would like more inf on skinng possums and processing of pelts