FIORDLAND BALLOT 2021 POEM - 5 minute read
Many years ago some hunting legends were born,
With an average age of 53 they had seen many a dawn.
The “Kaweka Crusty Demons” they were named
and up in those parts they were already famed.
There was BRB, and his sidekick Little Red,
Hammer Mark, was there to keep the Gotman Fed.
Dangerous Dave was there as well
And finally, Greg made up the Six
To throw some North Waikato into the mix.
The time had come, we all made it to Te Anau
Our trip to chase Wapiti in the George was not far away now.
We loaded up the chopper with all our gear,
could it get off the ground was our biggest fear?
The legend that is Hannibal Hayes, flew team B & C to the West of George River block,
and then dropped BRB and Emma at the Bligh Sound Rock.
As soon as we arrived the sandflies did appear
And yes, it’s true, their numbers are something to fear!
We set up our base camp as best we could,
To protect us from the rain to come as we knew it would.
Dave and Greg set off upstream with heavy packs
pursuing their dream, following years old Wapiti tracks.
Gotman and Hammer stayed closer to camp, hoping to hear animals let out their cry
Despite lots of noise, nothing was shot
But they gave it a good try believe it or not.
Fish were caught and mussels were found
And one lonely Kina was added to their dinner.
Harrison Saddle welcomed Keith and Mark
They arrived there well before it got dark.
Woke up to a glorious morning,
Even though Keith was still yawning.
Had a big stag roaring within 2 metres of camp,
They both got so worried that undies may have got damp….
While there they had a good look around,
unfortunately, no trophy bulls were found.
Dave and Greg travelled up the George River
some of the places we went gave Dave a shiver.
Wondering Wapiti Cows and a bugling bull feeding upon the clearing,
we were 150 yards within sight and also their hearing.
Without hesitation Dave squeezed of the trigger,
And then gave me a look and asked “do you think my trophy is bigger?”
As the smoke cleared from the end of his gun,
We spied behind his 12pt bull a big black drum.
For a good 5 minutes his cows stood staring at us
Wondering what was all that noise and fuss.
To the tops we went with hopes held high
Looking for that mature Wapiti guy
Many were seen and their majestic voices heard in the distance
Yet our best efforts, we could not get close despite our persistence.
Headed to the valley floor, negotiated gorges 3,2,1
With the head in tow, had to slide down rocks on our bum.
Met the boys in the middle of the creek
Where the paradise ducks gave out a shriek
Dangerous Dave let loose with the caller
Keith and Mark suddenly crouched down much smaller
Dave was busy laughing and then a thought popped into his head
“I had better show myself before I get shot dead.”
Then from 100m a stag let out a bellow
Mark said “wait here guys I’m off to chase that fellow”
We heard one shot, and then another
We thought, lets get out of here”, and dived for cover.
On the ground lay a 9 point red
For the days that followed he kept us fed.
We spent 3 wet days in camp where we didn’t see the sun
Yet we still had a good time and lots of fun.
Dangerous Dave tried his craft to spear an eel like a kid,
But it bent and broke his shaft and he blew his lid.
Not ones to be put crook
Dave and Mark tried with a hook
At last, they caught their tuna
Although we weren’t hungry it couldn’t have come sooner
That night another beautiful meal was on the plate
And we were all thinking that life was pretty great
BRB and Little Red decided to bail early
Stuck at Bligh Sound, their Fiordland trip had been a bit curly.
Sunday dawned wet again, with rain pooling on the flys
Greg decided he should go for some dives
Out came the packraft and with Dave as his boatman
They paddled out of sight headed for the ocean
Amongst the 7 gillers and large great whites
Mermaids beckoned to Dave’s delight
Into the murky depths Greg dove
Hoping to find a crayfish not far from the Cove
After several attempts he came to the surface looking smug
For in each hand was a big red bug
A meal was got with some mussels as well
And then a cray punctured a hole in the boat, and Dave thought he was going to hell
We finally got back to shore after paddling forever
Mark and Keith met us at the river and said “gee, you fellas are clever!”
Seafood Sunday was a great success
Better than a T-Bone in Twizel we all guess……
Monday weather was again custard
Our trip almost done and dusted,
Glad we were all ok and none of us ended up broke and busted.
Tuesday morning the chopper came to take us out
As it was the end of the game and we didn’t have gout.
Fiordland NZ is a beautiful place,
One that brings a huge smile to your face.
Its not about shooting a Red stag or a trophy bull
Its more the fact that this remote place is just outright cool
