Day out with the rifle

[Von Gruff]

The day started at 4.30 am so we could leave at 5 for the run up to a Central Otago property where I often go after rabbits in the low country and goats up high.
Got away on time and was on the rabbit patch by 6.30 and in this target rich country, I had run out of ammo by just after 9 am. While this part of the hunt was not tackled by a lead boolit I have done so with a 22LR in the past and been handicapped by the lack of reach. With rabbits going from almost under your feet (I have done a run with my shotgun but again didn't have the reach) out to about 200yds plus I decided to take the 20VarTarg this trip. I have developed a short range load for the 34gn j.word at 2750 but had to leave a lot of animals as a less than perfect hit made for a messy result. Even so I bought home about 50 jointed pieces ( just the back legs and the loins) so after washing they areresting in salt water for 24 hours before drying and fre flow freezing.


After this we went up into goat country with the 7x57 and softnosed cast 160gn boolits but for the first time failed to find a mob. Still it was a very good day and I picked up a peach tree for our orchard on the way home.

Goat country.






Even my co-pilot had a great time of it.



Von Gruff.

[Jack Stanley]

That's sum kinda rabbit houn' ya got leanin' out the window thar !

Lovely landscape .

Jack

[JeffinNZ]

Gruff, is that around Roxburgh? The land is pretty hard looking. We should release a few breeding pairs of wallabies there for you!!!

[Euan]

It Looks a bit like the Nevis, Or somewhere in the Kawarau.

[dk17hmr]

Looks like fun......I only ever take the back and rear legs also.

[Von Gruff]

It Looks a bit like the Nevis, Or somewhere in the Kawarau.

Your onto it Euan.

Von Gruff.

[TCLouis]

My, that looks like some fairly steep country!

Really steep.

Ok, Really, REALLY STEEP.

And very beautiful country to boot.

You have what be a whole seasons rabbits for most folks around here and that would be if we included all of the rabbit.

My gosh you are on the wrong side of that car, move all that stuff over to the DRIVERS side.

[JeffinNZ]

For our northern cousins. In the second photo behind Gruff is a "spaniard" plant. Very sharp tips on the leaves. Not so much fun to sit on. Not even purple longjohns can keep you save from them.

[JDL]

Spectacular views! Where do you leave the puppy when hunting?
JDL

[Von Gruff]

The big ones are not a problem Jeff (unless you slip and fall of course), but the small ones that hide behind tussocks are the ones that give the legs a bit of a floging. Between them and the mataghouri a walk in the hills is not the same as a walk in the park.

Von Gruff.

[Von Gruff]

Spectacular views! Where do you leave the puppy when hunting?
JDL

I dont leave him anywhere, he comes with me. He is a 5 y o miniture schnauser. On the rabbits he is on a lead as the temptation to chase would be too much but on the hill he dosent go far from me.

Von Gruff.

[Tazman1602]

My God that's beautiful country boys!

[Ajax]

Man i wish i could take the wife and kid over there just to sight see. That has to be some of the most beautiful country i have seen. thanks for the pics.

Andy

[82nd airborne]

Why is it that all of you New Zealander's type in complete sentances, with propper grammar and spelling? It's just crazy! That is a beautiful view. You could really streatch out and do some long range shooting.

[Von Gruff]

Why is it that all of you New Zealander's type in complete sentances, with propper grammar and spelling? It's just crazy! That is a beautiful view. You could really streatch out and do some long range shooting.

Schooling in the 50's placed importance on these things. Mind you, the world was a simpler place then.

Long range if you want it, but I still go with the aperture sighted rifle for preference. I do have a 4.5-14 monarch in qd rings and a wallet of 120gn GS Customs (in a leather roll case I made) in case we cant stalk in but havent used it so far, although I generally leave it back at the truck. I like to walk "light", so I can retrieve where possible.
A friend bought a 338 LM but its not something i would like to carry anywhere in that country.

For those that have expressed an apreciation for the country, we also find it "soul refreshing" to get up there amongst it. We live down country a bit where the terrain is more gently rolling and greener. A primary desire when we go is for the day out in the hills, for the views and the magnificent solitude, and the hunting, or looking for an animal is almost a bonus on top of enjoying where we are and what we are seeing.

Von Gruff.

[JeffinNZ]

Schooling in the 50's placed importance on these things. Mind you, the world was a simpler place then.
Von Gruff.

Because it is the correct way to communicate in 'writing'.

I had a VERY good English teacher in 1985 who beat into us correct grammar etc. She was great and I attribute my writing abilities to her to this day.

My 6 year old has better diction than many of those with whom I work!

[Potsy]

Good Grief! I thought some of the little ridges around here made me suck wind!
New Zealand, at least from pictures, has got to be the most beautiful place on the planet.
I've got to find a way to get down there someday.

[Nrut]

As many have said Von Gruff beautiful country!
However my knees wouldn't last long on those hills...

[82nd airborne]

Because it is the correct way to communicate in 'writing'.

I had a VERY good English teacher in 1985 who beat into us correct grammar etc. She was great and I attribute my writing abilities to her to this day.

My 6 year old has better diction than many of those with whom I work!

Just for the record on that, It was meant as a compliment with a hint of sarcassm about our education system involved. I appreciate reading a good piece of writing.

[DanWalker]

GREAT pics and story Gruff.
What are the opportunities like for someone who would like to make the LONG trip from Wyoming to that beautiful place you call home? (NZ)