Duck Season
It had just gone sunrise. Nestled along the steaming banks of the wide canal, six of us crouched in the camouflaged hut known as a 'Mai mai'. Some had already been drinking Port, I could still smell dope and perhaps unbelievably, I was the only one there not dressed up as some kind of paramilitary reject. All of us had shotguns; double barrels, semiautomatic and pump action.
This was to be my first taste of opening season. Decoy mallards bobbed in the canal in front of our position and sporadically, we could hear the honk of phony duck calls carrying to us from neighbouring properties and further down the body of water.
Then they came. A frantic exodus of feathered bodies, desperately seeking sanctuary. We could hear their panic. Harried mercilessly from lake to creek, they banked towards the lures we had placed. Only to be greeted by the barrage of fire we opened upon them. A veritable hail of lead shot poured into them from our little bunker as we fired again and again. Some were struck dead in flight while others were shredded, disintegrated or just blown limb from limb.
The Labrador pups at our feet whined and cowered under the concussion of the rapid shotgun fire. Then it was over, the survivors flying desperately onwards in futile retreat.
The guys whooped and cheered while I think I managed a sickly grin. High five.
Sliding back the corrugated iron hatch to our hut, the Lab's scrambled free and plunged into the water, pushing through the carnage to seek any ducks unlucky enough to have survived our gunfire.
So ended day one of Duck Season, my first and last experience with it.
I was working as a farmer at the time and the life and death of animals was often in my hands. Some of those creatures I loved, some I hated. They had personalities. I had taken those lives before and more than once I experienced a living creature's life blood pour onto my hands, which is something I still find hard to justify. I'm not a vegan or a peacenik and I strive not to be a hypocrite. I've slaughtered, euthanized and hunted. In short, I'm not an innocent.
To me, Duck "hunting" is no such thing. It is a bloodthirsty massacre of terrified creatures. It is inane butchery on a wide scale ...and it's as Kiwi as Lion Red.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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49.5% Yes
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48.6% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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2 Bedroom Unit – Half Moon Bay/FarmCove/Highland Park available for rent.
2 Bedroom Unit – Half Moon Bay/FarmCove/Highland Park available for rent.
A lovely 2-bedroom unit coming up for rent close to mid October 2024 (final date yet to be confirmed). Offers
- 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom, toilet.
- open plan kitchen with dishwasher, separate laundry
- spacious living area
- heat pump
- alarm system.
- own private deck
- piped gas for cooking and on demand hot water supply.
- separate gas, electricity and water meter
- Plenty On-street parking.
Walking distance to Wakaaranga Primary, Farmcove Intermediate and Pakuranga college. Close proximity to Highland Park supermarkets, public transport and ferry services. Suitable for up to 3 tenants.
Ideal tenant: Small family with school going child or professional couple. Will need to provide good rental references and good credit history. Please note photos are not current since tenants still residing. They were taken when unit was just built. Fridge in photo not included.
Listed elsewhere.
Moving cost:
Bond: 4 weeks rent
Rent: 1 week rent in advance
Tenant is responsible for water, power, lawn, garden maintenance, and other outgoings.
Sorry No pets, Smokers/Vapers please
Rent : $580 per week but negotiable for long term commitment.
Those interested please contact by email 2bedroomunit4rent@gmail.com with a short introduction about yourself and include a completed tenancy application. Form is available on www.tenancy.govt.nz...
Property can be viewed strictly by prior appointment only.
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