Hardy hunters have a go
Hunters, young and old, jostled for bragging rights at the fourth annual Wild Game Hunt and Fishing Competition last weekend.
While numbers were slightly down this year, the Tauhei Combined School fundraiser still drew a crowd, said PTA committee member Angela Martin, who filed this report for Number 8 Network.
A bright moon the night before had played havoc with hunters wishing to spotlight, although for some unlucky possums it might have been their undoing.
Open Hunters pleased the crowd as gasps of delight echoed as deer were weighed. Taking out top prize was local man Craig Stobie with his 114.5kg deer.
Not to be out done though, seasoned hunter Simon O’Neill produced a 100kg deer. Even though the catch of Charlie Hooper didn’t take out the prize in weight, it however had the most points, with 16.
And while the deer may have thought they had stolen the spotlight, a 98kg boar, caught by Matt Bruce, soon had people peering for a view. This solid muscled boar took out top honours for heaviest and the longest tusk.
Goats, hares, magpies, possums, rabbits, pukekos and turkeys lined up ready to be weighed – a sight to behold.
Not to be out done, Junior Hunters also stood in line, in awe of the Senior Hunters in their sight. Whilst they may have only been just starting out, these young hunters proved that they too can hunt with the best.
Local teenager Cameron Ball stood proudly with his turkey, a whopping 8.46kg. Patetonga youngster Nathan Yeandle landed his 37kg deer and couldn’t have looked prouder as it was weighed.
Even the young eelers stood proudly as their writhing, wiggling creatures fought with the idea of being weighed. Tauhei student Jacob Lammas’ eel weighed in at a stunning 6.87kg – the fish was as tall as he was.
Whilst there wasn’t an abundant supply of eels landed, the children still had the challenge of trying to take top honours.
Each and every year the major fundraiser for the school continues to encourage new members, young and old, to have a go, whether it is hunting, fishing or eeling. Encouraging the young ones to have the ‘give it a go’ attitude ensures they are learning the aspects of outdoor life.
A fun evening of prizes, auctions, refreshments and food, the competition ended on a high, with competitors already noting in their diary the next event.
Circle the dates now – 15, 16 and 17 May 2015. See you then!
Casey Rushbrooke didn’t have any luck with a live eel so her mum made her one, weighing in at .210kg
