Prime time to get the ladies acquainted with thrill of the hunt

TWO weeks ago there was an exceptional feature on female hunters here in the Sunday Territorian by Maria Billias.

It focused on the passion many ladies in the Northern Territory have for hunting and bringing home meat for the family.

Most of the women were involved in waterfowl hunting and told their stories of why they were drawn to the swamps.

In this final week prior to the end of the season, it would be a good time to take your wife, girlfriend, sister or mother out in to the wetlands and introduce them to this great pastime.

The swamps are recovering now; the storm clouds provide a great light-show backdrop and the bush is lush and green. The hordes of hunters have dissipated somewhat due to holiday travel, and it is time to enjoy some quiet with family in the reserves.

The hunting may be a bit slower but it will allow the opportunity to show them all the aspects of the bird hunting experience without the frenetic pace of thousands of geese approaching your spot.

Don’t forget to turn the tables and do a cook-up for your ladies to show them why you come back each weekend for a goose brekky in the bush.

Please be reminded Lambell’s Lagoon and Howard Hunting reserves are closed to waterfowl hunting from December 23. Harrison and Shoal Bay reserves remain open till January 5.

Isha from Tex Gun Supplies had all the goose goss from the past week. Her customers reported that the birds were flying low over the paperbarks around the big flood plain at Shoal Bay.

Grant at Fishing and Outdoor World commented that, up to Christmas, a lot of duck were coming down at Harrison Dam. The Gunn Point area of Shoal Bay was work- ing but required some wading to get under the flight lanes. ‘‘Don’t forget to stock up on all the equipment to protect your guns in the off season. The humidity can cause havoc to your guns while they are in the safe’’, he advised.

Hunting tip by Clint Jebbink: If you miss your goose, watch for the reaction of the bird to the shot. If it pulls its head back your lead is too great. If there is no reaction (or you see it tuck its tail between its legs) most likely you’re shooting behind. Adjust your lead accordingly.

Moon phase: Waning crescent to a new moon on Wednesday.

Weekly rainfall to Friday, December 27: Gunn Point 125mm, Shoal Bay 149mm, Howard Springs Nature Park 55mm and Middle Point 117mm.

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