Thread: Stewart Island police

Hmmmm from the other end of the door stop, if I meet one tramper and have a good conversation with them and leave a nice impression then with a little luck they might just have a word with there 10 mates…..seems to have worked well with my business model here, don’t need to advertise anymore just saying

Iam a hunter .I have have people of all descriptions living in my street ,including some with criminal records.
Im also an ex TF army member and psychiatric nurse who spent 1/4 of his 48yr career working amongst the criminally insane and non insane.
If people see me loading my truck to go shooting and stop to ask , I courteously answer their questions be it from adults or even kids.
One wee bloke years ago asked my if he could have one of those 'big plastic ducks for his bath'.Him and his mum were on the bones of their bum but battlers and i admire that .she wanted to pay but no bugger it Ive got em comin out me ears so whats one give away when ya see a kiddies smile.I saw them again recently and he a strapping young bloke now still remembers it!and is still interested in my progess.!
Quite apart from the frothy illogical political/academic inspired firearms hysteria,a polite warm persona when appearing in ones hunter role can often set people at ease quickly.,oh and it doesnt require research and exhorbitant advertising and its one less tranquilliser for the boffins at police HQ to swallow.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

you Micky Duck are truly onto it very sage advice indeed - remember two Auckland hunters arriving at Tewaitukapiti hut lower Waiau when culling there - both were wet as bloody shags - both had full wood army .303,s strapped to top of pack - yup fully cocked safety on - thats how ya carry them down a river with multiple crossings not

Yep, all those making points about visible means of placating non firearm owners I 100% agree with. However, equally important I have found is using them amongst other shooters. I spend more of my declining years shooting on rifle ranges rather than hunting. On a rifle range there can be 20 people of whom you might know none of them and more so don't know their safety ethics.
I have seen some off practices on rifle ranges that I have had to talk to idividuals about. I have had some who would have happily knocked my block off but at the time I didn't care about their feelings. I always broached the issue in a polite manner and explained the why. Use of chamber flags gives me some assurance that the others present may be on the same page as me.
Having been shot at in the bush I have no wish to be shot at on a rifle range.

I got my first chamber flags many years ago after running into Mike Spry at the Sika show. He comes across as a no BS guy, certainly not woke.

We strongly encourage the use of chamber flags at our range on Public nights, it is beholden of all of us to show good firearm safety & behaviour when interacting with trampers etc in the back country, I’ve never encountered any problems, the odd tramper who is a bit funny on things but they normally thaw out after a yarn.

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@Zedrex Where I hunt goats I have to walk a few hundred metres to get to it along a remote metal road that often has sightseers doing a tiki tour along it. Cars often stop to chinwag, but only to ask what I'm hunting, had any luck etc. It's quite refreshing actually.... One time I took my mate out there and she shot a big billy. It was close to the road so she dragged it out. She burst out of the bush, dragging a dead billy goat just as a backpacker's camervan went past. He looked shocked, swivelled his head just about in a complete half circle watching her as he drove past, and nearly drove off the road.... He must have thought he was in "Deliverence" country! He did a bit of fishtailing before getting the van on track again...

Sounds highly entertaining to me 🤣

Originally Posted by GDMP

What was the salesman's reaction to this behaviour?.

@GDMP He was gobsmacked. He initially tried to explain that it was store policy, but gave up because the guy didn't stop screaming. Yes, literally screaming! The tantrum was worse than any from a toddler. And what was weird was that it was just about soprano in pitch. The salesman went to inform the boss what had happened. I chatted to him for a couple of minutes and he too didn't reckon the guy should have a FAL. It was a bit surreal. I gave my contact details to the salesman in case he felt he needed a witness, but heard nothing. My thoughts are if he trips out that easily in public, what's he like at home? Because usually the public face is the nicer one! And going batshit crazy like that over nothing, and having a FAL is a scary combination....

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@GDMP He was gobsmacked. He initially tried to explain that it was store policy, but gave up because the guy didn't stop screaming. Yes, literally screaming! The tantrum was worse than any from a toddler. And what was weird was that it was just about soprano in pitch. The salesman went to inform the boss what had happened. I chatted to him for a couple of minutes and he too didn't reckon the guy should have a FAL. It was a bit surreal. I gave my contact details to the salesman in case he felt he needed a witness, but heard nothing. My thoughts are if he trips out that easily in public, what's he like at home? Because usually the public face is the nicer one! And going batshit crazy like that over nothing, and having a FAL is a scary combination....

who here is willing to bet that he did not actually have one -

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

who here is willing to bet that he did not actually have one -

@Barry the hunter I honestly think he was just pissed off at being asked! It's the longest stream of "F" and "C" words I've ever heard in my 60 years....

why wouldn't you bring the gun with you anyway? The moment you're not armed you will see an easy deer.