A fine end to the upland season

Strictly speaking, the season finishes tomorrow, but I've cleaned my gun and put it away for another year without a single regret. Today we had an absolute ripper of a day. I picked dad up at Rick's place at 7 and we hit the road. The fog was horrendous, and the whole trip to Waitomo was through a heavy blanket of the grey stuff. We emerged from the mist near Craig's to find a blue sunny sky, a stunning day. Craig is currently hosting 3 German exchange/work experience girls and after introductions and a coffee we got ready for our morning's hunt. The Frauleins wanted to tag along and seemed to be good value so off we went in 2 cars. Dad's knee and hip are due for replacement soon (there's a lesson about playing rugby in there somewhere) so we set off for the easier side of the farm.

 A stunning day

It was truly lovely out there, perfect warm day, blue sky, the greens seemed greener than usual ... I really enjoy spring (even though technically we're still in winter). We weren't particularly quiet as we approached the first gully so I was surprised when 3 birds burst from the sunny side under some scrub - dad and Craig each took a bird, a fine start to the day and not 100 metres from the car! Then dad had the honour of taking a flying turkey as it flew down to him... sounded like a sack full of elephants when it hit the ground.

Dad, Craig & turkey

We worked our way around bushy rock outcrops, Craig pushing up and over while dad and I took the low road. As we moved around one large outcrop Craig called out "bird!" and a cock burst over high and handsome, my shot was definitely the highlight of a great season's hunting and folded him clean and cold.

Scenery

The walk was pleasant, but the old man stumbled early on and aggravated his knee (by bashing it on a rock) so we kept to the gentler stuff. We soon arrived at the old release pen area and walked up the swampy finger that always seems to hold a bird or 2. While dad, Craig and Miss Germany #1, #2 & #3 walked to the head of the scrubby area I walked down to cut off the escape route.

Never fail pheasant spot

It looked bare and I had just commented that I'd never seen it blank before when Max locked on a scent and pushed out a rooster. He had no choice but to come  my way and I had a long leisurely swing before knocking him down. Very satisfying.

Hunting party

The hunt was fairly relaxed and carried out at a gentle pace as we picked up birds here and there. By the time we returned to the cars, I had a limit in the pocket of my jacket.

Pie. German lasses love pie.

We sat in the sun and ate bacon, egg, potato and herb pie before heading back to Craig's house for a beer and a natter. With today's birds the total harvested of the 400 released was up to 98 odd, an excellent return.

We left and reached Rick's by 3 - Cock was there preparing to go on a goose hunt. We had a quick natter before I set out for home reflecting on what's been a damn good season.

As for the Frauleins? Well they enjoyed every second of the hunt. Who knows, maybe some more converts?

Some photos courtesy of Craig & co.