Positive results

3 am is not a really civilised hour to get out of bed for stuff other than hunting or fishing; so doing it for work really jolted my sense of humour. The 6.30 to Gold Coast wasn’t too bad a flight, but checking in at the hotel @ 9 am Au time to find the room wouldn’t be ready until 2pm was a drag. Anyway, the conference was special for me, I haven’t got absolutely plastered for more years than I can remember, to put the situation in context I watched the rugby and can’t remember the second half of the match at all. Something to do with copious rum. Anyway, got a text from dad that he’s got a limit at the Willow Pond which included shooting a flock of 5 with 2 shots. He got 6 on Sunday as well. Now, more really positive stuff.


The little Ruawai Preserve pheasant syndicate has revolved around Craig’s efforts. He wanted to grow a self sustaining population of pheasants and set about the do-it-yourself-animal-husbandry side of things with help from Tim (heat & lighting), Guy (general advice), James (grunt work) and my humble input was a mercy dash to build a release pen. We all threw in a few bucks and Craig took it on as a project, growing and releasing 400 odd birds.

The growing shed & pen

The main pen

The release pen

Maturing poults

The past weekend was the syndicate’s second shoot day, but given that James had work commitments he snuck in for an earlier hunt. So Tim and his mate Simon nipped down for a day and had a pleasant few hours walking up birds with good results.

Craig & James' day

Craig, Tim & Simon

Portrait

Credits for photos include Craig & James (Empire Safaris).

I reckon Craig’s efforts could easily be a blueprint for those who want to give it a go, and the results speak for themselves.

And my weekend? I don’t remember much after the first half of the All Blacks vs. Wales. Apparently when inebriated I’m a good public speaker. Joke of the day;

“What’s the difference between a debt collector and a flat head? (fish name changed to be meaningful to the ockers).

One’s a bottom dwelling scum sucker, and the other’s a flat head”.

Ho ho, oh the humanity.