Yes this seems to be a pastime that has taken on at a few hunting competitions now, and I suppose it is a different take on tossing the gumboot. It does sit a little uncomfortable with me but then as youngsters we hunted many a possum down with terriers and watched as they thrashed and tore the things screeching and screaming for 10 minutes or so until death came for them. Then this is just a natural occurrence in the wild when one animal kills another. I'm sure if this was performed in front of the crowd in the pictures they would have a horrified view of the proceedings.

Most adults and kids see plenty of possum road kill in NZ and these animals are usually not kept as pets so the general population are less enamored to them as they are to rabbits, pigs and of course little bambi. Most in the pictures are hardy country folk or come from the hunting fraternity and I'm sure my kids would willingly take part if there. It is just a little dis-quietening when it is portrayed in pictures.