Rootin' rabbits over Easter

[ManDownUnder]

The Great Easter Bunny Hunt - something I've always wanted to do. And this year... I think I got addicted.

Here's how it went for me... kinda.

Day one Wednesday arvo. 4th of April. 1/2 day at work down to the airport and I was running "a little late". Like - checking in 15 mins before departure time. Gun case in one hand, ammo bos and duffle bag all checked in.

"Oh sir - you'll need this wee sticker on the gun case, and take it over to counter one to check it please"... done. No dramas, I'm on board and fly South to Chch happy as a pig in poop. I'm on my way

Land at Chch... pick up my stuff and meet the posting king himself - Sniper. Wee problem... my gun case arrives, but the ammo box (containing 500+ rounds of ammo)... err... didn't. And nor did my luggage.

No worries. I'm sure Air NZ was keen to trace a steel case of high explosives lost somewhere in an airport or plane... so I reminded them of the contents... waited for the next flight... nothin'. Ahhh well. We get a text from Biff telling us to hurry up as (and I quote) "he's hungry enough to eat a fried fart". Ok - so we get moving.

Meet (the gorgeous) Miss Sniper, picked her up and we're away. A few rounds of the block and we found the pub. And there they are, Joni, Kickaha, Biff and J, Snipe and Miss Sniper me and (JohnB?). Anyway. A good ol' bullshit session. Took me a mo to get over my shyness of course. Joni wasn't TOO drunk... kinda giggly really :niceone:

I digress.

Eat drink and be merry that night, head back and stay at Sniper and Miss Snipers place, up in the morning brekky and we're off. About to close the door and Sniper asks "left anything in there?"

"NAAAAAAAAAAAAAA let's just go!" (Mental note - NEVER do that again). Sniper's being kind enough to post back the potlight, spare bulb, my cap and the earmuffs I left there (DOH!)

We're off to gun city... ALL RIGHT!. Now... need some ammo, some ear plugs and a wee peek at the Mossburg pump with 2 barrels... naaaaaaaa not up to scratch. Looks a bit cheap... rinky dink and light...

Righto... 250 rounds of shotgun ammo ought to be enough? Oh hell - a packet of buckshot too please! Sold - we're off.

....550 kms later (fuck the South Island's a big place)... and we reach Alexandra. Ring Smokin'... where are ya? And more importantly - where are we staying? Leaving the Luggate pub you say? Righto - see ya soon.

We found our digs, spread out a bit. A room with a queen sized bed in it, and another room with 2 bunks and a single. I took the single. Met the boys coming down for Greymouth and they're set up - ready to go. The Hilux is obviously ready for offroad action, shooting cage on the back and loaded to the gunnels with something under a tarp. NICE... they've done this before and I reckon well get a few if we can get out and about on that thing. Little did I know the only thing missing from it were the wings.... shit that thing can move.

Anyhoo - off to meet the rest of the crew... head over to Wabbit's place (Wabbit aka Gaelene... absolute nutter... LOVELY lady). More on that soon. We grab pizza for tea, may be drink a little too much and meet the crew. I don;t remember them all...

ballbags and his family... complete with a wee dog... that's a little dog that weed on the mattresses laid out, and anything else handy for the rest of the trip. Henceforth referred to as "piddles"

Smokin, Crumpy (aka Wooly... the hilux owner), me, Snipe... shit who else... Possum and a whole bunch of others I don't recallt he names of... decided there was too much containerised beer and proceeded to help resolve that crisis before it got overwhelming

Smokin got a few photos... they'll tell a story I'm sure

[ManDownUnder]

Anyhoo... off to bed that night back at the unit and there's a certain side effect that drinking a lot of beer has on me... I get a little gassy.

I woke in the night feeling a tad bloated. but it's ok... ease it out... no big deal. a bit whiffy but hey - they're all out cold anyway. Snoring though. Earlugs... where'd I put those bloody earplugs. AAAAAHHHHH silence!

Back to sleep to be woken by light shining in my eyes. Strange - it's early... and the next night's an all nighter. A sleepin might be an idea? But alas no.

ok - upsy daisy... feeling that bloated feeling again. I'll have a bit of a laugh... dropped one in (the empty) room of Crumpy and shut the door. I left too soon though. The fart stayed in my pants and followed me back out to the lounge - and cleared the place. Kinda proud of that one - in a 3 year old way. What a ripper!

Back off to Wabbit's place to meet up with everyone and head over to the park. I'm starting to get a wee reputation as an Honorary JAFA by now. I play along see how it goes. The first question I get "Where's your Latte?".

So I give as good as I get and it escalates into some fucken funny abuse flying around. I can see my role in the team is pretty much set in stone already.

Off to the park where the guy organising the thing sets out to point out a few things, including the fact they have a JAFA in their midst - someone that reqeusted a 1/2 strength double this creamy that fuckn frappo something. The whole damned team looks at me, points and laughs pretty much. I was so proud. I'd finally overcome my shyness and was valued and loved!

Anyway - the block draw done, we're about to leave and I hear it's the same block they've previously had... 250 rabbits off the thing last time. Not good.

[ManDownUnder]

Get over to the block, load up, jump on Crumpy's ute and we're off.

Bloody awesome country. Gobsmacking. A little cold but I have the gear on so it's sweet. I took the shotgun with me and loosed off a few to get the hang of it. Nice gun (thanks to he who loaned it to me) although the rabbits don't like it much.

A bit of shooting that morning bagged a few and got my first ever black rabbit. Kinda cool.

Sniper grabbed his trusty and very worn .22 and headed out too. First round he fired off with a subsonic, through a silencer and.... I though it was a misfire. I heard a quiet "click-ick" (literally) as the action was worked... and that was it!

Then another - and another. Nope... that's the sound it makes. hooooo kaaayyy.... took a bit to get my head around. My first impression was that it would be better if he'd thrown the lead at the things - what kind of rig is THAT??

And yet the bunnies seemed to be just as dead, and falling rapidly. Seems it doesn't matter how flash the gear is if you know how to use it. And (Snipe - not ego jerking you)... the guy knows how to use it. I learned a lot.

Life lesson #1.... it doesn't matter what you have, is it's adequate and you know how to use it. Dude that was impressive shooting. I know it's what you do/did but still... the rabbits would not havbe ben more dead, and I don't think you'd have done much more if you'd spent an extra $10,000.

[ManDownUnder]

ok - nice day - long day... walking plenty and shooting rabbits. Quite relaxing really. Bagged a few (dunno how many - 20... 30?? dunno).

Snipe and I were walking along and saw something "Rabbit?". A wee way out. Snipe scoped it naaa... a rock. Ricochet's are bad things so... he didn't shoot. I wasn't sure asnd thought "What harm in shooting a rock?" I mean nothing ventured. Bang!

The rock rolled over shot through the heart. hmmm... fluffy rock!

Back, dinner, and we head on on the ute, spotlight ear lugs and we're off. My God can that thing fly! Cruising along the paddocks till a rabbit's spotted then it's ALL on. Crumpy boots it, the ute takes flight and it's all good til you hit a hump, or a rabbit hole or any of 100 things that ruins the smooth run. Everyone and everything gets chucked around on the back, and how the hell Smokin manages to shoot ANYTHING while bouncing around like that I'm not sure. Snipe, being his usual self is quietly issuing death certificates to the bunnies left and right. Click-ick click-ick.

The rain came in my gear paid for itself. Dry and warm even though everything else was cold and wet. Eventually it got soaked through through and I started to get a bit damp in it. It was 2:00am or somethin' so we went back to the woolshed and I spread out on the floor for a kip (a talent I have - wooden floors are fine by me).

Dumb move. The combined effects of me being in Alexandra (not warm), lying on the floor (not warm) in wet gear (not warm)... you see where this is going.

I woke up... COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cold to the core. Gotta do something about it - and I heard a car running.... someone has the heater on! It's Stu. ALRIGHT LET ME IN! I warmed up and slept some more, we turned the heater off the car was warm and I slept some more. But then got cold again. Not good.

Slowly dawning - the thought that maybe I should get out of this wet gear! THERE'S AN IDEA!. Changed in the woolshed and back to the car. Slept soundly till 7:00 when there's a knock at the window and Wabbit (aka Gaelene) is grinning like a mad thing through the window and the boys are all standing around laughing. Smokin didn't get his camera in time (thank God for that).

[ManDownUnder]

A bit more shooting that morning, we round up all the rabbits, I nearly spew from the smell of the things while attempting to put them on the ute to carry them back to the park for counting.

One... two three.... *choking back the spew* - ok stopping now! I literally got to 3. Not good. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA well.... it's my birthday - I'll treat myself to not spewing.

Back to the park and laid all the rabbits out and we got 1021 in total. A good haul I reckon and Smokin later confirmed we came 4th. Snipe and I shot over to the airport to fly out of Queenstown and I got hom absolutaly buggered. My wife kindly asked if I wanted to get dinner or do anything (it's my birthday after all).... errr no... sleep!

So that was it. A shower when I got home and I was done. Knackered, happy and keen to do it again next year.

Snipe - smokin... I know I missed a lot of stuff... photos too! Chip in guys.

MDU over and under!

[Jantar]

A bloody good write up. But you missed some rabbits. There are still almost as many on my property today as there were last week.

What block did you get?

[scumdog]

Colourful write-up!!

A few years ago 500 rounds wouldn't have got you through but the numbers are well down - despite the Chicken-Littles of the farming world claiming 'rabbit numbers are worse than ever'.


Saw a few of the teams at the Shingle Creek pub lunchtime Saturday - they looked a little weary and slow, understandibly so.

[Colapop]

Those poor defenceless wabbits!! Surely you could have shot some greenies as well! Sounds like you had a great weekend and a cracker b'day - although I'm a little suspwect about you and Sniper cuddling in the car....

[Virago]

Sigh........



Bigger sigh.......



Good write-up - wish I'd been there!

[0arbreaka]

fucken hell, I wish I was down there. Im going to make an effort to make it down for it next year. Good write up, bling awarded.

[Krusti]

When I saw the title of thread I wondered what it was gonna be about.....good write up.

Thought it may have been this bunny ya shot..:bye:

[BigG]

I've herd of Sheep Shagers but not Rabbit Rooters............:shit: ......Good write up mate.

[Sniper]

What a bloody fantastic weekend. I got home feeling absolutly knackered. I had a blister on my foot, a bruise on my collar bone, bruises on my knee's, thighs, kidney areas, shoulder but I was as happy as a druggie who has just found a bag of P on the pavement.

MDU, you have done a bloody fantastic job of writing that up. I have stories that will last a lifetime, cheers for everything. Anyway, heres what I remember...

Went straight from work to the Airport to pick up MDU on the 4th. Alls good, his plane is a bit late, but no worries. Waited and met him at baggage collection where he went and collected his boom sticks and asked me to look out for a couple of items of luggage. Easy peasy, until no more luggage is appearing... So off we go to ask the nice man behind the window to see wha he can do about it. We opt to wait for the next flight and he even gives us drink vouchers which was damn nice of him. MDU and I head up to the bar and have a drink while people make wide berths around as because of this large case that obviously contains something hazardous to their health. Anyway, we had a laugh about how AirNZ could lose something like 600+ rounds of ammunition. Back downstairs to be told, nope nothing. Cool, we can go have dinner and then maybe pop back.

Headed out to the car laughing about it while also thinking up alternative options if they don't show and how cold MDU will be if his clothes dont show up....

Then we were off to dinner which was an adventure in itself. I was adament the restaurant was in St X and MissSniper was sure it was in St Y. No problems, we were both wrong, it took a phone call from a hungry Biff for us to find the place (Thank Biff and Kickaha :niceone:)

Anyway, dinner was pretty uneventful, nice chatting to all and catching up with everyone. Biff and MDU found a girl who they wanted to carry on walking up and down the stairs more often.

And then it was off to bed for a nice sleep before driving down to Alexandra.

Got up in the morning round 6 and started with my packing (Im disorganised at the best of times) wondering if 500 rounds really was enough. But MDU had very kindly offered the use of his ammo if I ever needed it which I was very grateful. Got everything packed and set out neatly and went through the mental checklist (which was a bad idea) and seemed that I had everything. Read on to find out that I really didnt have it all... :innocent:

Off we went to Gun City to veiw some more boom sticks and me to think about trading in Stephanie (My stirling) for a 10/22. But I just couldnt do that to my girl, she has taught me much and treated me well. MDU bought some ammo (Enough for a small war) and some earplugs and off we went.

Stopped for supplies on the way out and off we were.

[Sniper]

The drive down was pretty uneventful, MDU regailled me with stories about his youth and things he's done. He is one bloody knowledgable cookie Im telling you. I would trust this guy with my children (If I had any). We stopped in Oamaru and had a bite to eat and admired the GN125 that pulled up in front of us. Amazing town, the keys were in the bike and he didnt seem to care.

A few hours later and we ended up in Alexandra. I saw a rather cool bridge and we decided to go have a look at it and then contact Smokin to find out where we were going to bunk for the night. I did kind of wonder what Mr Plod would say had he come across us and here we were, the only car under this bridge with the boot open and two men admiring around 350 shotgun shells and over 1200 .22 rounds.

Smokin rung in and we were off to find out digs and relax for a bit before meeting everyone. I can quite happily reccomend the Alexandra Tourist Park. Very nice clean rooms and friendly staff. Within 30min Smokin and the crazy old bastard who we came to know as Wooley (aka Crumpy, aka Grumpy, aka FUCKEN STOP!!!) turned up Bloody good sorts if there ever were a pair. Were kinda curious as to the sexual suggestions yelled at between the two, but once they started hitting on MDU and I we realised we were safe. They started unloading the truck when we realised that they had come prepared. Whilst we had managed to forget our spotlights, water, wet weather gear (in my case) and hat. BBQ, venison, steaks, everything except the bread :innocent: Once we were all settled in, we went out to buy alcamahol and pizza and meet everyone else.

I didnt drink anything being the good sober driver I am, but I met some bloody good sorts. Chatted about everything and anything from paintball and shooting taggers to Piddles the puppy who pissed on everything.

Round 2130 we went off to bed via the bottle store for ice where thanks to the nice young lady behind the counter who we deemed to want to have Wooleys babies we got some Speights overalls (henceforth known as body condoms) and some speights cups. Damn nice of her :Punk:

Back at the camp we went over the last of our prep and then all hit the sack (and then went to bed) Woke up a variety of time because of snoring, coughing and excitement. MDU had the right idea, I should have bought earplugs. Anyway, awake at 4 and out of bed at 0530 because I heard Woodey climb out of bed and figured it would be a good time to get up.

Had a good brekky of bacon and sausages and then off to the house to meet everyone and russel up a meeting place at the park to see which blocks were drawn and where we were. As you heard from MDU, our block was (apparently) not meant to be a good one which Im glad they were wrong about.

We were at the park laughing quietly at MDU being a Jaffa and ordering his Latte. He never did, but it was funny none the less. We had our block drawn out, I was added to the registered shooters list because one guy never showed up and we were off. 30 mins out of town we pulled onto a block, met the farmer, layed out our gear and then the fun began...........

[Sniper]

So we were unpacked and we went off in the hilux to go look around and plink off a few rounds. I wasnt too optimistic after being told there weren't lots around last year, but hey, it was a good way to spend easter. Made our way into the first paddock, rounded a bend and the ridges either side of us moved and ran away. There must have been about 50 rabbits on one side of this ridge alone. I didnt have time to fire a shot, I didnt have my mag in the rifle and I wasnt expecting so many so soon and at 1100am. Smokin hopped off with his rifle (A rather nice .17HMR) and went for a walk about and I carried on in the back of the hilux for a while. Shot at a couple of the little bastards and then realised that it was easier on foot so I hopped off and went walk about.

Made my way down the trail to the river and started plinking the little bastards off like there was no tomorrow. I nailed 23 in less than an hour by just walking up and down this 400m stretch of bank. At that stage my favourite was the little bunny whos head I could only just see above the grass. One round through the eye later and 2 others stood up right next to him. It was brilliant, put 2 rounds through their eyes as well and went over to pick them up and see how they were. After picking them up I decided that shooting them in the eye was a bad idea as the little bastards tend to leak brains and blood all down my legs.

Walked down and chucked them on the back of the ute and then Wooly says, "Have a go on the shotgun". Cool, haven't done much shotgun work, cant be too hard thinks I. Rigghhhht. Ok, so I hop on the back the hilux and off we go. Now imagine this, we are happily plodding along and next thing we see a rabbit make the bolt. Woolys foot goes to the floor, I hang on for dear life and attempt to shoot the fuzzy little bastard who is in more danger of getting run over than being hit by the shotgun and off we go. Was brilliant looking back at it, but after 2 or 3 runs I decided that Im safer (and a better shot) while walking and using Stephanie.

I left Wooly to his devices and went off to shoot at stuff in the opposite direction. After a while I realised I made a fatal flaw. I didnt have anything to carry the rabbits and trying to carry (at that stage) 8 rabbits in hand was a tad uncomfortable.

Cheers for the blurb about my Shooting MDU, maybe I was just lucky... (Although I don't know about my 120yard shot, but there was noone around to see it)

Now for MDU's shooting, I have to be honest here. Watching him when he first got out was interesting. The barrel tended to wave up and down and round and round and there was talk of the rifle needed to be sighted in. After about and hour you should have seen him, he was in his groove. 75yard shot bang through the heart of my rock :whistle:, and the rabbit count was quickly rising. He started off averaging 5 shots per rabbit and by the end of the day I dont even remembering him missing. Nigel, you did bloody well mate. That rifle and shotgun became an extension of yourself and you proved to yourself (and everyone else) that you are one hell of a shot. Well done dude. I even lent him my .22 and shit did he become deadly then, Im sure he nailed one on the run too, something I had managed a couple of times during the day and was seriously not expecting from MDU. He turned into one hell of a shot and anyone wanting to shoot with him, I reccomend it. Nigel is a safe conciencious hunter and he makes his shots count!!!!!

Smokin's shooting with the shotgun was phenominal. Watching him go was absolutly amazing!! In the space of an hour and a half he had nailed 67 bunnies and we had to go back and offload. I felt a bit bad because at the end of the hour I could see that the recoil was starting to have an effect. Smokin, mate, you did fucken well in my book, I wouldnt have been able to last that long.

The funniest part of that shoot though had to be when Wooley (who had hurt his back) lept out of the hilux after Smokin had just nailed a bunny. It wasn't quite dead and was trying to get to a burrow, well, Wooley wasn't having any of this shit. He leaps out of the car and does Mach 2 towards this bunny, WHILST TEXTING STEVE (Private joke) before jumping on its head to stop it. I don't think Smokin could shoot straight for a few minutes after that, I couldn't spot too well afterwards and I think MDU was pissing himself just as much.

There were a couple of instances where Smokin, MDU and myself were ready to bail off the back of the hilux that was doing 80KPH towards a bunny and a large end of the world looking cliff only to stop a foot back from it.

There were a variety of stories that come with that night which were brilliant, but alas, I'm still too tired to remember most. I do remember the Bear though :shutup: But Im not saying a word about that.

[Sniper]

We got back to the woolshed after another outing out. I was freezing, the clothes I had were soaked and I was absolutely freezing. So off to the car to sit in it with the heater going. Must have dozed off, cause next thing I know there is a very cold looking MDU outside the window. Quicikly get him in and turn the heater on full bore as he doesn't look too flash. I must have fallen asleep again as I woke up with him getting out and heading away to get changed to dry gear. He got back and I hit the heater agian as we were both cold.

Sometime during the night I was woken to a BOOM followed a second later by the sound of hailstones hitting the car, and woolshed and other cars. A split second later I realised that it wasn't hail and I was out the car yelling obcenitites in the general direction of the shot. Gave it a second and then got back in the car to keep warm. Woke up 20mins later to see some smiling faces all around the car and MDU with a big grin on his face.

Up and out of the car I chucked on my gear that was a bit dryer now and we went off for a walked.

Smokin very kindly let me have a turn on his .17 which I thoroughly enjoyed. The day before I had a look at it because we suspected it of shooting low and to the right. So when we saw Mr bunny out about 100yards, Smoking asked if I would like a go. Fucken top bloke, so I said thanks and had a go at it. We heard the shot hit and the rabbit ducked, although I wasn't 100% sure it was a killing shot. Walk over to where it was and the little shit takes off minus his nose :oops: Seems the rifle is shooting a bit to the right, easily fixed.

We walked a bit more and MDU managed to shoot the lucky (unlucky) rabbit, but I will let him elaborate. We then had to make our way back to camp because it was almost time to leave. We didnt manage to shoot anything else on the way back although we did talk alot about all sorts of things and had a bloody great time.

We all headed back into town to do the count and say our good byes before MDU and I had to hop in the car and take off to QST.

There are plenty of other stories which Im a bit tired still to post, and maybe the guys can add up.

My Bear
The holey rabbit, that was shot 4 times
Smokins 6 foot jumper and runner
The indestructible ferret
Smokins Rabbit Neck Breaking guide
The big Bump
The Eye popping bunny
The long bunny
Wooly and following the spotlight (AKA: Don't shine on hills)
The cow shit mushroom/puffball
and more

Pics will go up tonight when I get home

[Sniper]

Wooly, if you ever read this. You are one top notch bloke. Heart of gold and a fucken legend to boot. You taught me a fair bit about people and myself this weekend and I look forward to meeting you again mate. You are one hell of a driver (scary sometimes), Fucken funny, quick with any comeback and fucken brilliant. Cheers for organising the accomodation as well mate

Smoking, you are another hell of a guy. I owe you big time for being able to help bring MDU and myself to the bunny hunt and allowing me to have a go on the .17HMR. You were an endless source of amusement and Im privlidged to have met you. Your shotgun handeling was absolutly amazing, I have never seen anything like it. If there is anything I can ever do, yell out mate.

And last but not least, ManDownUnder. Nigel you are one of the best. You taught me alot about myself and interactions with folk. You were full of helpful advice and little stories that were just great. You came a fucken long way in your shooting technique and it was all down to you, I didnt have much (if anything) to do with it. From your .22 handling to the way that Defender became a part of you and the amount of bunnies you took down with it, you really really impressed me :niceone:. It was an absolute pleasure to have you stay with us in Christchurch and I owe you for offering to take me to the rabbit hunt way back in November. I hope one day I may be able to repay you, but until then keep well, all the best to you and your family and hopefully I'll get up there someday to say hi.

To the rest of ya's, maybe we can have a kiwibiker team some year, but until then, Im sticking with the Bunny Boppers.

[Mr Merde]

Boy an I ever jealous now.

Next year I want to be there. I have had the applkication form for the last two years and never managed to get there. A KB Bunny extermination team, hell yes.

MDU I really hope that shottie worked well. Handles like a dream for me.

Sniper, I gotta meet you one day, the stories and BS sessions should be monumental.

MR :shit:

[Jantar]

.... A KB Bunny extermination team, hell yes....
Just be aware that this event is now so popular that we are having to restrict the number of teams. This year we held a ballot to see which teams would be accepted, and which ones would miss out. It isn't "first in" whose entry is accepted, but if any team's entry is late then they won't be in the ballot. So if there is going to be a KB team, start working on it now. Unfortunately I can't participate as I'm on the organising committee.

[Smokin]

Well I just meet two stirling examples of great kiwi blokes, well the latte drinker bothered me a bit a first but he soon turned out to be straight.
Guys, It was an honor to introduce you both to the bunny shoot and it would be a pleasure to have you back next year.

As I have only just arrived home an hour ago I'll leave my story telling till later and may be able to find a couple of pics to amuse a few of you.
I even have a photo of MDU leaving a well brewed fart in wooly's room, Dude I am still having flashbacks about that horrid stench, if thats what Latte's do to ya I think I'll give them a miss.

Oh and the 17hmr just loves walliby's too Sniper.

Here's MDU delivering Woolys aromatic gift.

[Sniper]

Just be aware that this event is now so popular that we are having to restrict the number of teams. This year we held a ballot to see which teams would be accepted, and which ones would miss out. It isn't "first in" whose entry is accepted, but if any team's entry is late then they won't be in the ballot. So if there is going to be a KB team, start working on it now. Unfortunately I can't participate as I'm on the organising committee.

Thats cool, must remember that Jantar. Yea we were lucky to come along and had an absolute ball. I would prefer to say hi to folks or only shoot with folks I know which is why MDU and I didnt make a KB team this year.

Smokins word was good enough for me


I even have a photo of MDU leaving a well brewed fart in wooly's room, Dude I am still having flashbacks about that horrid stench, if thats what Latte's do to ya I think I'll give them a miss.
I remember gagging still after being out of the room for 10 min. How did the wallaby shoot go?

[geoffm]

Isn't there an equivalent around Rotorua way? Sounds like the perfect Easter.
Another good place is the Kainagaroa forest. Get a permit from Fletcher Forests (free) and nail some bunnies, trout, magpies and maybe deer.
Geoff

[Sniper]

So here are some pics. Hover over the pics for a description

S

[Sniper]

And some more

[Sniper]

A few more

[Sniper]

And look,some more

[Sniper]

Loookie, more

[Sniper]

MDU shot one of the last bunnies in our team, he named it lucky bunny, and I'll let him tell you why. Here are the pics though

Also added one of Stephanie my rifle whom Im so proud of. She never missed a beat.

[Sniper]

Whilst driving along looking for bunnies we came along a "Puff ball" (Cheers Nige :p) Which we really were facinated by. Natural thing to do with something new.... Get Smokin to blow the hell out of it with the benelli :killingme

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[Sniper]

As I mentioned earlier. MDU and I stopped under a bridge to contact Smokin, thats the car with the boot up. If I had taken a photo inside the boot, you would have seen an opened box of shotgun shells and about 1200 rounds of .22 ammo

[skidMark]

A bloody good write up. But you missed some rabbits. There are still almost as many on my property today as there were last week.

What block did you get?

they breed faster in that there south island, bunnys gotta keep warm sumhow ya know lol

[Virago]

Write-up from today's Otago Daily Times for your info.

[Sniper]

The Press has a rather good write up and a flattering picture of Wooly, Smokin and some weirdo.

[ManDownUnder]

The Press has a rather good write up and a flattering picture of Wooly, Smokin and some weirdo.

LOLOL.... I'mk sitting at work pissing myself laughing here - cheers guys. So much stuff packed into 24 hours.

The lucky rabbit (last one I got)... If you look closely at the pic you'll find absolute evidence that rabbits feet are lucky. This little guy popped out of a hill side in the closing hours of the shoot and the first round neatly (and I mean surgically) cut one of his rear feet off.

Slightly less lucky - missing a lucky foot - the next round saw him suffering a high speed case of copper coated lead poisoning and he "stopped".

The amasing thing was that he was just sitting there, sans foot, between two bloody big rabbit holes. Why he didn't go down one is beyond me. Some of the ones we hit were terminal, just mobile and still managed to move 5 or 10 meters and disappear down a bloody hole.

[ManDownUnder]

A bloody good write up. But you missed some rabbits. There are still almost as many on my property today as there were last week.

What block did you get?

LOL... yeah was great fun. Dunno the name of the block - will find out. The sheed was called Queensbury Plains or Queensbury Hieghts - something' like that.

Mate if you help organise this thing you get my biggest thanks. Nothing short of bloody awesome! I note the local plod's a good bastard too.

[Smokin]

Pretty close.

Queensbury Ridges.

Sending the pics to you now MDU.

[Deviant Esq]

Great writeups both MDU and Sniper - sounds like a cracking time! Had a barrel of laughs just reading through all the stories.... although it sounds that Sniper's not all storied out just yet! :blip:

Great stuff guys.

[Sniper]

although it sounds that Sniper's not all storied out just yet! :blip:

Great stuff guys.

Never am mate. But Im afraid of embarresing stories coming out

[jrandom]

O for oarsum. Wish I coulda bin there. Great writeups, guys.

Next year, for sure...

[Sniper]

O for oarsum. Wish I coulda bin there. Great writeups, guys.

Next year, for sure...

I'll hold you to that..... :rockon:

[ManDownUnder]

Never am mate. But Im afraid of embarresing stories coming out

And you are not alone... strangely - that's also the title for one of the stories! Like Gaylene catching us sleeping together... I'm just glad Smokin didn't have that camera handy :niceone:


The Press has a rather good write up and a flattering picture of Wooly, Smokin and some weirdo.

You able to find and post that?

[Jantar]

LOL... yeah was great fun. Dunno the name of the block - will find out. The sheed was called Queensbury Plains or Queensbury Hieghts - something' like that.

Mate if you help organise this thing you get my biggest thanks. Nothing short of bloody awesome! I note the local plod's a good bastard too.

yes, I know Queensbury. You did bloody well to get that number off that block.

I'll pass on your thanks to the whole of the Alexandra Lions Club on thursday night. As a club, we have been organising this event for some time now. We took it over after the (council funded) original group were disbanded. Fotunately, our convenor is the same guy who came up with the origional idea, so the format has remained unchanged. I'm usually the official counter, but I had to work this year, so didn't get to see the final line up.

[Sniper]

And you are not alone... strangely - that's also the title for one of the stories! Like Gaylene catching us sleeping together... I'm just glad Smokin didn't have that camera handy :niceone:
In the car, you forgot to add, we were in the car :p




You able to find and post that?

Yup, just need to get my hand on a scanner

[Mr Merde]

Keep it going, I am really enjoying this thread.

Great to have a fun and positive thread to read.

Tell us more.


Mr :shit:

[Sniper]

Keep it going, I am really enjoying this thread.

Great to have a fun and positive thread to read.

Tell us more.


Mr :shit:

It was bloody fun mate. It was a damn great weekend. And I took away a heap of great stories

[Sniper]

Ahh, yes, and before we forget, many thanks to Sue Bradford

[ManDownUnder]

Awwwwwww shit - what else is there?

Actually Gordy, Snipe you wouldn't have seen it but I went out on Phil's rig with Possum and Gaylene. One of us dropped a bunny toward the road and Phil went racing up, lept out and the ute begins to roll.... backwards.

No big deal Phil takes his time and the utes starting to really get rolling, heading away from him... he stops his pissing around and has to run around the open drivers door of the ute, leap in, slips over. He looks like he's about to slip off and get run over by the front right wheel of his own ute.

His left foot's in the somewhere fishing around on the floor of the ute - the revs shoot up and the brakes (at last) come on. LOL. Yeah - real good.

The cage on the back of that rig was deisigned for 2, not three. From the left the was me (.22 at that point) Gaylene (Spotlight) and Possum (Semi Auto Shotty). Burping and farting like a bunch of 3 year olds... but Gaylene's bloody good on the spotlight and the number of times Possum and I both let loose on the same rabbit perfectly synchronised was funny.

Heading up the hills was fun too. It didn't have the tyres or low down grunt Crumpy's rig did so a bit of a run up was needed, and more bumps and thumps...

Gaylenes boobs were right on the same level as the front bar of the shooting cage so she's bitching and moaning about them getting shoved out through her back LOL. Possum and I valiently offer to pull them back through but alas she turned us down. A bit cold I think.

And as for Crumpy offering to shove a rabbit up my nose... thanks but no!

Hey who was the guy with the long ZZ top beard? Bloody nice guy. Anyway - after 18 hours of getting shit for being a Later drinker (I have to admit - I did my bit to ham it up), he opens his mouth... "I have one every day - Latte to start with and 2 tall blacks later on"

Bastard knows a lot more about coffee that he was lettin' on. I know I should have bought the team a round of Lattes for the count though LOL. Just to make sure things were set off on the right foot.

[ManDownUnder]

Ahh, yes, and before we forget, many thanks to Sue Bradford

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YES LMAO! Good ol' crosshairs.

Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!
Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!
Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!

Not to mention Snipe's battlecry LOLOL

"DIE YOU MOTHERFUCKING LITTLE BASTARD"... or something like that. It seemed to help on the longer shots eh Stu?

[Sniper]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YES LMAO! Good ol' crosshairs.

Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!
Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!
Think of Sue Think of Sue Think of Sue... BANG!

Not to mention Snipe's battlecry LOLOL

"DIE YOU MOTHERFUCKING LITTLE BASTARD"... or something like that. It seemed to help on the longer shots eh Stu?

Hahaha, yea I remember that. I think thats when I was coming to the end of my tether and starting to get pissed off with them running.

I also have always tended to mutter something under my breath while shooting things. I only uell when frustrated or in danger of dying

Mind you, Gordy brilliant cursing while going over a large bump and shooting the little rabbit prick was funny too.

[ManDownUnder]

Just one question remains though... something that's been bugging me..

How the FUCK do you shoot anything off the back of a ute that's 2/3 airborn, bucking and tossing like a bronco, at night at rabbits you can hardly see?

Shit I needed 2 hands, 2 legs, and my teeth just to hold on. Urban surfing at it's finest - gone rural.

It's bad enough with the target moving - but with the shooting platform on the run too???

[Sniper]

In all honesty..... Pure luck in my case. Fuck knows how Gordy did it, he was bloody amazing. I was lucky enough to just use the spot light most the time, but that was intersting enough.

Remind me, never to shine it on the hills. LOL

[Lias]

Sounds like you had a blast (literally lol!)

[Swoop]

Definately sounds like a KB team entry for '08!

[Sniper]

Definately sounds like a KB team entry for '08!

Dammit MDU and Smokin, look what you two started...... :dodge:

[Swoop]

Dammit MDU and Smokin, look what you two started...... :dodge:

OK then. TWO teams.:Punk:

[Sniper]

OK then. TWO teams.:Punk:

Can't fault that idea, I still feel a sense of loyalty to the Bunny boppers though

[Swoop]

Can't fault that idea, I still feel a sense of loyalty to the Bunny boppers though

SHIT.
Gotta go and check my passports.
Seriously.

[Sniper]

SHIT.
Gotta go and check my passports.
Seriously.

Why, where are you off to? You don't need your passport to come south you twit.

[ManDownUnder]

Hate to put a damper on things but places for next year will be tight. A number of block holders don't want shooters on their land after an incident or two (historic).
Shooting bunnies on the front lawn of the house with a shotgun... at 2:00am... that kind of thing.

It's a great shoot but places are not unlimited from what I can gather. Besides - I'm sure there are other places around? Ideas?

Why do we need to wait for Easter to come around?

[Mr Merde]

Hate to put a damper on things but places for next year will be tight. A number of block holders don't want shooters on their land after an incident or two (historic).
Shooting bunnies on the front lawn of the house with a shotgun... at 2:00am... that kind of thing.

It's a great shoot but places are not unlimited from what I can gather. Besides - I'm sure there are other places around? Ideas?

Why do we need to wait for Easter to come around?

There is a similar event in Dargaville but shooting possums.

I could check out with my pistol club when it is.

[Smokin]

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said, Great weekend with even better company, Sniper is the undefeated champion of a spotlight and MDU has curtainly got the skills with the shotty, the amount of lead that fella had in the air with a pump action was downright impressive, the rabbits had nowhere to run because the shot was just everywhere.

You guys had me in stiches to start with, the looks of horror on your faces when the HiLux started climbing the first steep hill was classic, Not to mension Snipers skill at yelling "FOR FUCKS SAKE STOOOOOOP" while heading for the drop off was classic.
As for your "JUST FUCKIN DIE" Sniper, that will live with me forever my friend.

A couple of thing you won't know guys, Gayleen won first prize for being the offical "Biggest pain in the butt" for bugging the officials.

And talking to Martin Mcpherson after the event they may be changing the entry so the first 15 place getters get automatic accepted entry for next years event.

And yes, you guys have no idea how close you were for getting your photo taken sleeping together, I know MDU threatend to sleep with you sniper but I didnt think he was serious.

Oh and MDU, I asked Wooly why the roads were avoided and the hills were driven as well as running over every rock he could find, The answer was... He called me Crumpy so I drove the way Crumpy would have, It was payback for Nige being abit cheaky, he said with a grin.

[Sniper]

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said, Great weekend with even better company, Sniper is the undefeated champion of a spotlight and MDU has curtainly got the skills with the shotty, the amount of lead that fella had in the air with a pump action was downright impressive, the rabbits had nowhere to run because the shot was just everywhere.

Cheers mate, but it was all down to you. Cheers for showing me how, I just took it from there. MDU's shotgun skills were pretty amazing wasn't it, but so was yours mate. Im still amazed at how you managed to carry on shooting while going downhill at 60kph over the big bump.


You guys had me in stiches to start with, the looks of horror on your faces when the HiLux started climbing the first steep hill was classic, Not to mension Snipers skill at yelling "FOR FUCKS SAKE STOOOOOOP" while heading for the drop off was classic.
As for your "JUST FUCKIN DIE" Sniper, that will live with me forever my friend.

I think we kind of got used to it towards the end. I had never been up hills like that while walking, driving up seemed fucken mad. Although I learnt theres nohing to be worried about unless you mentioned something :lol:
Im pretty sure both you and I became good at yelling "Fucken STOOOOP", but Im sure it was worthwhile. Mind you, Wooly was a fucken brilliant driver.

Hahaha, Im thinking now about what I must have sounded like with the "Just fuckin die". How many time did I say it?
Your bloody, "Fuck, ow cunt, shit, fucken ow, you little bastard, FUCK YOU!!" Followed by firing 2 rounds of shot 3 into the little bunny was a classic. That will be another memory forever etched in my mind.


A couple of thing you won't know guys, Gayleen won first prize for being the offical "Biggest pain in the butt" for bugging the officials.

Haha, why does that not surprise me. She has a heart of gold though


And yes, you guys have no idea how close you were for getting your photo taken sleeping together, I know MDU threatend to sleep with you sniper but I didnt think he was serious.

Hey, you almost got a photo, you know how scared I was when I saw him climb in the car with a grin on his face??? And then he told me he needed to be warmed up :eek5: Poor guy, you were fucken freezing MDU


Oh and MDU, I asked Wooly why the roads were avoided and the hills were driven as well as running over every rock he could find, The answer was... He called me Crumpy so I drove the way Crumpy would have, It was payback for Nige being abit cheaky, he said with a grin.

Hahaha, I figuredit was something like that. I waswondering if he mistook it for Grumpy, lol

[Swoop]

Why, where are you off to? You don't need your passport to come south you twit.
South Island is "overseas"...

Good thing I checked as well! :whistle:

[Smokin]

Saw this today and it ment soo much more to me now.

[Swoop]

10 chars......

[ManDownUnder]

A couple of thing you won't know guys, Gayleen won first prize for being the offical "Biggest pain in the butt" for bugging the officials.


LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!

I found one more of those discount Pizza vouchers too, so I'm shipping it down to Gaylene with an instant Latte sachet...

[Smokin]

Legend :niceone: