Thread: Night time Airgun Set up Recommendation for possums

Hi folks:

Need some of your expertise / opinion. Just moved to a lifestyle block with bit of native bush and have already shot 2 possums wondering near the house. We have a big willow tree out front with lots of Kereru – usually when the possums are near the birds start screaming and give them away.

Would be keen to venture into the bush when the rain stops and do a bit more hunting. Currently using a .22 Diana air rifle.

A few options I am considering:
(1) Spotlighting with battery pack- not so keen on this set up as bush is quite dense and not fun fumbling around cocking the airgun loading pellets at night with all these extra weight…etc. I do have a smaller torch taped to the airgun but that is not very bright for spotting / surveying

(2) Nigh vision goggle / scope- I am keen to explore this option as the NV is much more affordable than thermal. Not sure how effective it will be though ( to spot possums VS using spot light). I am thinking of using a handheld device to survey and spot possum then walk near and use torchlight to shoot. (Some NV can also clip onto the scope if needs be). Bear in mind airguns are known to break scopes easily due to recoil- so I am not too keen on mounting NV scopes.

(3) Thermal- I know this is probably the best option- use it to find the possum, walk near, turn on torch and shoot. But cost is too prohibitive at this stage