yeah gidday, been on here a while and looks like I,ll stop a bit longer so better let you know who,s been keeping an eye on you. Southland born, on the edge of the Longwood, raised on pukeko and turnips, went to school occasionally, spent days hanging around rivers, hills, bush, rubbish dumps, other peoples orchards, railway yards, and hanging off bridges and trees. First hunting trip with one of my older brothers, who was 6yrs older, when I was about six years old, about three mile up the hill from home. Pig hunting we were. He told me at the time that all we needed was a pig sticker which he had in his pocket. It was on his ww2 commando pocket knife. It was a little marlin spike of course, but I didn,t know what one of those was until years later. Anyway it all gave me a love of the bush and wild places and the creatures that live within them. Hunted the Hoki,s a fair bit growing up through high school etc. Rabbits, hare, possums, wild sheep, ducks, eels, pigs, trout, deer. Yep, them was the days! Life got a bit complex then and had to start working full time. Still a boy at the time when I took off for Oz. Intention was start out west and work my way home over a 12 - 18 month period, but life got even more complex, so I still live out west, [nearly fifty years on, beside the Indian ocean] Became invalided a few years ago from work injuries, [legs] so part of my rehab has been to go back home and do as much hunting and walking as I can handle. One day not too far away I would like my grandkids to experience, a bit of the NZ bush and wild places too. Anyway, I do find this sight very helpful in that I learn new stuff and get reminded of plenty that I have forgotten. Thanks to most of you who make valuable and informative posts. Also to the ones on here who I get a laugh out of. Just love most of the wit a humour that comes from those who know how to spin a yarn. OK, hope that's enough introduction so you know who I am , so when I ask where your secret deer spot is, I won,t get blasted like a mallard on opening day. Anyway, might see you on a small hill one day. Just keep an eye out for an oldish guy with an even older .303 and a walking stick. PS. NZ is, and always will be home to me and these aussies know it because I still wear my black t-shirt with ABs and silver fern to the pub when we play the wallabies. mud in yer eye.
