Lucky Kiwi Bastards

It's almost hunting season and very soon some of the healthiest wild food in New Zealand will be available to Wanganui hunters
Hunter harvests are a vital component of game bird population management and all Fish and Game regions rely on hunting to reduce population numbers to a sustainable level
The tradition of duck hunting is as Kiwi as Sunday lamb roast and rugby and the season's opening weekend in May each year is eagerly anticipated by thousands of duck hunters across the country. I can report that regional bird numbers are looking good and we have a very healthy duck population. We had a relatively wet summer and mild autumn (so far) and this has kept the region's wetlands topped up with water and has provided ideal breeding and rearing conditions and as a result good sized broods have been a common sight on many of the region's wetland areas
Despite good birds numbers things do not always go in the hunter's favour and as always the weather is a key element of the season's opening weekend. Fine weather over the weekend is a worst case scenario for the hunter and a duck's delight
We are hoping for strong southerly winds which will move birds from the coast and estuaries further inland to seek shelter, it will also disperse birds over a wider area making them more accessible to hunters and more inclined to be attracted by calls and decoys
While traditional maimai pond shooting over decoys will be favoured by most hunters at the start of the season it's not the only option and it may pay to think on alternatives - especially if the weather favours the duck. If the birds are either not moving or are too high and out of range then consider switching from static to mobile tactics. Walk-up shooting along streams and rivers, or jump shooting farm ponds, is a great alternative to sitting in a hot maimai hoping the birds will drop in on you

May 5 is also the start of the upland game bird (pheasant and quail) hunting season as well.

That's right Nessie, the H7HT is coming for YOU!

Fish slaying prep

Less than a month to go before the Charter members of the H7HT once again hit the waters of the mighty Deschutes River in search of fish, scenery and the elusive 10 of 10 BB Gun challenge.
Rumor has it that this year we will be taking the voyage in a brand new vessel.  Cliffy has sold the old boat in favor of a newly emboldend fish slaying machine. 
Stay tuned for more.....

Well there it is!

Fish Story.

Although not officially a member of the H7HT, Ole' friend of the H7HT Bubba Quehl sent this picture and an all to brief description. It read:

Thought you might enjoy this. 87 lb Tarpon caught on a spinning reel in San Juan PR

I can only assume from the picture and the lack of information that the much stronger man to his left may have done the catching. Look how hard Bubba is struggling to hold the mighty beast even though we all know he is the strongest Red Sox fan in the known universe. Good job Bubba! We expect fresh fish any day now.

GBCH

Goodbye Ol' Cracka

On Easter Sunday, a gentleman came to my place and made me an offer on my Clackacraft. Out of pure jealousy of Bobs new boat, I took the offer. I loved that boat, and even shed a tear when it drove off. Oh well, on to bigger and better. I have already spent the money on a new rafting set up to get me and the H7HT into those rivers the driftboat never could. Oh, and we'll be able to carry more beer, I mean gear.

Behold: The Boat is Complete!

It was a big weekend here at the North Idaho chapter of the H7HT. The whole duck boat project was on the line as the weather was slated to be good and Fred G. was coming to town to help with the final steps of the process. There was much to do.

Day one was all about breakfast and base layer. Of course breakfast was the base layer after a night of careful 'planning' on our part. We planned a lot. Had to drive all the way back to Cabellas to get duck boat paint because they chose not to be open for Easter and since I watched about half of The 10 Commandments with the great Charlton Heston before falling asleep on the couch, I knew Easter was all about Him. Help us Heston, with this project. The base layer on both the boat and the trailer went down easy and so did the beverages we made in order to plan for the next days work. Fred G. beat me in ducey just to prove he was still "The Expert".

Day two was the meat of the project and I was feeling like a buck tree eighty. (too much planning) We started with a new base coat for the boat, it needed another because the first showed inconsistencies that would just not do for a boat of our caliber. Then the trailer got undercarriage paint and Willy showed up just in time to get put to work painting wheels. We reassembled the interior of the boat and Fred G. learned that he had yet another "Expert" skill, freehand camo spraypainting. We painted the interior and headed off into the woods with Willy to brush up on our trap shooting skills. Most every clay died and some .22 & .38 rounds made their way into their targets. After a tasty dinner of Vodka Sauce and fancy Paige salad we started planning for the next and last day, the big push to finish the job. That night we cut stencils, planned a lot, and threw some darts. I guarantee you that's all that happened, nothing more, at all.

Day three dawned dry and warm, perfect, considering we thought we would have rain to contend with. Teamwork was the word of the day as I carefully laid out the stencils and Fred G. used his mad spraypaint skills to create a pallet of beautiful cattails and bright grasses. (Special grasses they are, see if you know what I'm talking about.) I then cut the stencils for the back part and "The Expert" did his part by not getting out of the chair until it was time to paint. The rest of the boat was a snap and went back together easily.

Behold the new boat!

GBCH

Prime (r)

Yesterday was sunny and warm which allowed me to work in the great out-of-doors. Good thing too because yesterday was primer day. After sanding all the aluminum down we were ready for the 50/50 water and vinegar bath followed by a triple coat of 'self etching primer'. Toxicly good stuff that contains an acid that 'etches' itself into the aluminum, the primer is then able to adhere to the grooves created by the acid contained within. Without it the paint would flake off if it even properly adhered in the first place. Now we are ready to paint any pattern I see fit and it will last for years to come. Next week Fred G. comes to town and the project continues. In the meantime I am keeping my eyes open for a small truck to pull the boat. Almighty Heston help me!

Big Betty Update:

A tear escaped from the corner of my eye today as I watched Ole' Big Betty drive away from the cabin. Her new owner paid cash money which will enable me to buy some great things for the boat. First on the list, a new truck! Hey wait. Now I need a new truck. Maybe a 95 F150?

I don't think it's the last I will see of her though. The new owner lives just over the pass and is a duck hunter himself. Maybe the feature that pushed him over the edge was all the NRA/Ducks Unlimited/various duck stickers on her. Maybe it was just the fact that she was a duck type truck. Personally though, I like to think it was the tie to the H7HT that sealed the deal. Whatever it was she is gone and cash money is in my pocket. Time to spend!
GBCH