Hi,
I made the mistake of posting on this forum without a formal introduction, so I hereby formally apologise to anyone offended. Don't expect any more apologies from me about this!
I'm a farmer in Hawkes Bay, I've planted about 300,000 trees in my time and now find myself increasingly in need of more firepower to control the critters I've inadvertently invited. I was very enthusiastic about shooting back in my teens but for some reason the passion waned over the next 30+ years. Shooting has been more part of the job than fun. However I seem to be recovering from my malaise and the old joy is returning. I might even join a club one day. Currently in possession of a small arsenal of near useless almost-antiques and a few functioning firearms, two .303s, a 10/22 and a Turkish semi-auto shotgun. I'm currently in process of obtaining E endorsement for pest control, and looking for an appropriate high capacity rifle for knocking down goats (and possibly deer) in plantation forestry and bush reserve. Suggestions welcomed.
I like the feel of this forum. My perception is it appears to have a large number of South Island members, is this correct? I always like Southerners, although after a stint at Otago University I don't envy you those winters....
As an aside my wife is an Australian and my in-laws have several thousand acres in Northern NSW. My father-in-law has what I wpuld consider a genuine need for a MSSA, he is losing a massive amount of money as his crops are ripped out every year by kangaroos and pigs. Under Aussie law he's allowed to use a bolt action .223, perfect for hitting one target a day and temporarily scaring the rest away. If he got his hands even on my 10/22 with the bx-15 mag he would be facing jail time. Our firearms laws are much more logical and I fully support the people I'm seeing here who are defending them.
Ben
