Thread: The glorious South Island !It's rabbit shooting time :-)

Back from the yearly trip down to Alexandra for some bunny shooting. And the South Island is stunning this time of year. Loads more greenery around than what I saw at Labour weekend, with good grass growth in many paddocks. Less rabbits seen than previous years but still a worthwhile trip.


Long grass and good growth down there meant it was hard to spot out bunny friends sometimes.


Loads of thyme growing everywhere.


18,000 total this year, compared to 10,000 last year. They were quicker at cleaning them up from the park, once the bloody music man stopped singing.


And they end up in one large hole on the property where we shoot. These volunteers were skinning and gutting 1500 odd for DOC for trap bait. By this stage they had been sitting in the sun for a day, and yes, the smell was rank. Could smell it on the road as we kept driving past it.


This chap as a bit of a sore head after a 223 round went in from behind. That's his head twisted over too


Awesome country we live in ! Best way to spend the weekend in the sunshine - laying on a hillside listening to music and picking off vermin at a decent range.


These guys couldn't see the funny side of it. Southern hospitality shines again, with the farmer inviting us over for an Easter barbi with the best pav for dessert I've ever eaten.


What better way to spend the day.

New pb of 319m for a kill. Did some hail mary shots at 400+ but couldn't get the windage sorted but they were more shots for shits n giggles than anything else.

Sweet. What did your crew end up with?

Ewe cruel baaast*rd!

Haha.

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

Sweet. What did your crew end up with?

Would say prob @200 all up on this place. More at night than day, but I primarily shot during the day with the Howa going for longer range stuff. At night I had difficulty hitting the ground at my feet

Smacked 8 over in the last hour on Tuesday night as the sun was setting and I was @200m upwind of them, so they couldn't figure out why their mate sitting next to them suddenly exploded. All while listening to Buena Vista Social Club - very calming !

very good article - and lovely promotion of Central.

Excellent stuff kscott. The southern trip has become a regular on your calendar. Would have to admit that rabbits are my favourite for hunting.

I love the 22 for down there. gets damn expensive with the 12ga/223

Where are you getting your permits from? I don't recall seeing exemptions for all these PI's coming down....

I lived in the south island for two years mate, rite under all of you noses. easy enough to blend in, just roll the occasional R and dont say anything too smart.....

Originally Posted by Bill999

I love the 22 for down there. gets damn expensive with the 12ga/223

Buy ammo in bulk and store it. Works out more cost effective in the long run. Plus my weird logic is that if I've already purchased it, I may as well shoot it

Took the .22 instead of the shottie this time, and will probably do the same again next time, it's quite handy.

Wirehunt, I have a lifetime pass, was born in the South Island

the 22 is awesome for learning the running shots on, because it wont drive you broke if you use 500 shots over a few days, so you (meaning I) can try things

Nice going Kscott

Perfect!!!!

Awsome report Kscott thanks for sharing

mean, i wish i could go too.