The Evening Goose

Friday morning we decided to have a lie in. I woke early enough at 6.30 and got up and pottered around a bit, but we really didn't make a move until well after 7. After a brekkie of pancakes, banana and syrup (go Andy!) we were ready to hang gear out to dry (the heavy weather had passed over) and sharpen knives for a goose filleting session. AJ, Andy & me made short work of it as Tim degrassed the blinds. Then we drove to one of Tim's mate's places to dispose of the bodies in a pit and back for a coffee. We decided on a trip around Lake Wairarapa - this being a sort of "come to god" experience for me as I'd dreamed about the place for years. Stopping for pies and beverages (this is a road trip remember) and for AJ to talk to the local girls, we then cut south to the lake. We drove the Western side first. You could call this side the 'civilised' side, with paddocks running right down to the waters edge, green pasture, and cattle and sheep farms. Tim explained that you had to be 'in the know' to hunt there, all highly territorial (seemingly mirroring the Lake Waikare scenario).

Andy Tim & AJ sucking up the beauty

The Southern end of the lake is where the outlet is, a barrage controlling water flow into the diverted Ruamahunga River. Another geography lesson, I had no idea how close the Ruamahunga flowed. now we were getting into serious waterfowling territory. The Eastern side is far swampier, with willow chokes, raupo back waters and all round great territory. We drove around some famous sites, checking the DU reclaimed area (all a bit mish mash), the famous Boggy Pond, and stopped at Kilmore Lodge, a F&G owned hunting HQ available for hire.

Not many waterfowl were present, we saw a pair of geese over there and a few swan and ducks. Heading north again we drove back to Masterton and started preparing for an evening jump shoot on a farmer's pond.

Pond doesn't really describe it, figure on a small lake of about 120m long by 50m wide with tall trees on the northern edge, and enclosed by hills on both the North and Southern sides. The Eastern edge had a row of tall poplar like trees, bare of leaves. The Western end comprised lowish scrub, some smaller trees and marshy paddock with rushes. We slogged our way through slush and mud up the hill to the lake, and on inspection found several geese in residence. Tim walked the southern edge to move the birds (hopefully back towards us) and 3 unseen geese sprang and came towards us. Me AJ and Andy were hiding in the ruushes and when AJ called the shot we jumped up and took them out. I got 2 and AJ peeled the other, Andy not able to shoot as my mellon was in the way. We then took up positions, Andy & AJ under trees on the Northern Edge (stiff wind at their backs) while Tim and I covered the NE corner. After a longish wait (30 mins?) I heard a honk over the garbling of a flock of resident magpies and called the lads that geese were on their way. AJ sparked up his caller and soon 3 geese crested the rise in front of us, turned into the wind and barrelled in. Andy and AJ smoked them with some impresseive shooting, and Max the dog was soon in action. Later another 5 showed up and came in over Tim and me; but we let them come in and the boys opened up again, this time knocking down 2 and Tim pulled off a GIANT of a shot, dropping one at an easy 55m out in the paddock. It was breath taking. The other pair swung away caliing like lost sheep. AJ socked the calling to them and they swung back over us. This time it was my turn to take out a very high bird, seeing a goose drop like a sack of spuds is pretty impressive to say the least.

With 9 in the bag we called it a night. Max had retrieved magnificently, the shooting was spot on, and now we had a km long trudge in the dark (who forgot their headlamp then?) carrying 9 freakin heavy ass birds.

Back at the truck we chatted, then headed home for soup, steak & veges with Tim as our dinner guest. Another wicked shoot. We cleaned the birds that night so as to be ready for our early departure.

What a great couple of days.