Thread: The first weekend in May.............

...........Havent missed one in the last 58 yrs..........started accompanying my dad when I was just a few years out of triangular trousers.

Weather pattern is excellent today for where I shoot, (Hoteo side of the Kaipara). Strong Northeast winds, overcast with real possibility of rain. Just checked back through my hunting diary......the last time the tides and weather were like this, I had my limit within 15 minutes of daylight and shot 9 greenheads and 1 female mallard ( she got caught by the edge of the pattern when I dropped the 9th drake). Used 11 cartridges , the 11th was to finish off the female.
Didnt mind sitting in the boat for another 8 hrs waiting for the tide to come back in so I could head back to the car. Practiced my calling for 3-4 hrs until I had about 80+ birds sitting on the mud within shooting range, then pulled a tarp over my head and dozed with the sounds of birds quacking in my ears.
Went back the following day and had limited out within 35mins of daylight with 10 more drakes.

Going to head to a private block shortly to go for an armed tramp as a substitute. Who would have thought that I would ever go wandering the hills with a rifle on the 1st weekend in May. Certainly not me!

Post up a story guys.......the best or worst opening day you have had. If we cant be there, the next best thing is remembering some of the good/bad/funny times.