Thread: Invading Southland.

A huge thanks to JoshC for going out of his way to show us around his spectacular part of the country and Paul Stenning for what was, for me, the duck hunt of the year!

Snuffit and I arranged a whistle stop duck tour of Southland late last month and here's what happened.

Day 1:

Sinclair Wetlands for a look (yes, Snuffit, they are actually in the South Island )

Horrie Memorial


Amazing place.


Then off to Gore to sit on a bank of the Mataura with JoshC where we got on the board with our first Southland duck.

At the meeting point.


Riverbank waiting.


The spread.


Day 2:

Off to Paul Stenning's for a hunt or 2 (Oops, just as well the clock tower chimes in Gore after I set the alarm for a very wrong time!)

The pond hunt. 19 mallards, a spoonie and a hare.

Fiordland in the distance.


The spread. Those decoys are incredible!


Snuffit counting.


Then off to a settling pond where we got 11 in about 10 seconds.

Patented Stenning Hero Shot.


Back to Paul's immaculate garage, my eyes popped out and stayed out

Mecca.


2 days worth of ducks in the motel fridge.


Day 3:

Josh gave us a tour of his corner of the South, what a spectacular place! 10 parries, a mallard, 40 odd possums and 8ish hares.




Pip the Loonie Superdog


More


And again


Is this the world's most picturesque boat ramp?


Boat ramp beauty


The boat had steering issues unfortunately so fishing will have to wait til next time.



Day4 was a quick paddock/riverbank hunt on a new spot of Josh's where he got 2 mallards with some fine shooting through the willows by the river before we bolted for the airport and home.

Thanks again to Josh and Paul for hosting a couple of Auckland/Waikato shooters and making us supremely jealous!

Woah, that work bench is mancave porn!! Awesome!! Sweet pics, Tim!

Neat trip

Looks like a kick ass trip, does Mr Stenning even use that workshop... looks far too clean/organised.

Good on ya Josh and Paul, looks like paradise down there. Its been far too long, must get down there again myself.

Cheers for the report Tim.

Originally Posted by Raging Bull

does Mr Stenning even use that workshop...

He does, we even breasted day 2's ducks on the bench. He's just more organised than anyone else I've ever met, made me embarrassed about the state of my shed walking in there

He (Paul Stenning) is certainly dedicated too the sport,well done you lucky guys for having hunted in his domain

Wish my missus would let me move outta Auckland to enjoy the south Island

Originally Posted by el borracho

Wish my missus would let me move outta Auckland to enjoy the south Island

Good on ya mate. It's a hard job finding the perfect sheila. Speight's anyone?

Originally Posted by Rushy

Good on ya mate. It's a hard job finding the perfect sheila. Speight's anyone?

Hahahaha

Na Castlepoint for me Rushy