Thread: Game bird diary for all

Had a good shoot this morning on a wild wet Waikato day. The ducks certainly lose a bit of caution when its a wet dark day.

Originally Posted by Dundee

Bo pulled up another cracker retrieve on a black swan.
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He got out way down by the little willow on the left.
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Carried it up stream from my shooting position.
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And jumped back into the water for the float back down 50 metres upstream.
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With the current and his knowledge of the river landing him right at my feet.
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jesus be careful dundee i almost lost a dog in a flooded river and did lose one in a flooded rdr

Ducks all finished here in Eastern F&G, and NOW we get the wind and rain!!

Last weekend ducks

Last weekend was the last weekend for me had some good shoots and managed 2 bands for the season. Last hunt of the season was on the Waikato river and right on dark I could see two mallards fly upstream to me. Was a pretty long shot(probably around 50 meters) that I wouldn't normally go for but last chance and I gave about two and a half duck length lead aiming at the front Mallard and pull the trigger and watch as two ducks drop stone dead. The dog did two great long retrieves and they were both Mallard drakes surprisingly. First time getting two with one shot I bet I won't forget that anytime soon.
Here's the stack for closing weekend.

Still into it here

River has dropped a bit and Bo got another retrieve.

Always take the collar off the dog for a water retrieve.

Originally Posted by Dundee

River has dropped a bit and Bo got another retrieve.
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Always take the collar off the dog for a water retrieve.
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Looks like he has turned into a really good alround dog @Dundee I like the flood pickup. Showing his smarts! I like that feeling when it all comes together like that

He's an awesome dog alright @Sideshow. My brother and both my lads breeds labradors and I was lucky enough to get one from the blood line. I have seen some of the pups grow into useless furr babies.Training and commitment certainly brings out a good dog.

Another drake off the river at home tonight

Great day out today

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Got a couple on the deck.Last day for ducks here tomorrow..

had great couple of hours paddling my old blind cocker spaniel around in yak....3 feral geese and 5 mallards was the final talley...not too shabby for an old fat fella and his blind dog.Id almost forgotten the magic spell Wainono casts upon a fella. swans by the gozillion and scaup buzzing past from all directions makes life interesting.

Few more this morning

Nice one @Nathan F

Just looking at how you have prepared the birds for the table. Very nice.
I do a very similar job, pluck and gut and then blow torch to take off the down.
But with my gut. I cut out the anus and then above the pubic bone I cut across to gut. This leaves a small strip of skin so that I can then tuck the legs in so that when cooking the legs don't get over done. as they are closer to the body.
Works a treat. Saves on trying to tire them.
When or season starts here Ill try to remember to post a pic of how I do this.
We have nothing left in the freezer after lock down

Nice one. I do mine like that because I stuff them then roast in oven bags. I then cut the bag away and put them under the grill for the last ten minutes on a high heat. Works a treat