Firebird
AH legend
We didn’t need to leave the lodge until 1030 or 11 on my last day. I was happy to have one last breakfast but it was lonely by myself. Bags packed, just me wandering around looking for new birds or flowers.
Wik came out with a little workhorse rifle and suggested we go hunting one more time.
His plan was to use his suppressed .222 and try for some birds. Wik had guinee fowl on his mind as were could still use some fly tying material and he knows how much I love birds. I’ve never asked to hunt them because I kinda feel like it is a waste to kill just one bird and do it with a rifle. Wik had that sorted out too, I just needed to do my part. My place would be in the rack of the truck and when Wik stopped I had several seconds to pick any bird before they flew. I missed my chance at a guinee. . . I drew feathers which we kept and then continued on our way. We drove the property as time allowed just saying goodbye to the giraffes and waterbuck and the odd kudu that was still out in the sun. On our way back to the lodge we found a single Egyptian goose. It wasn’t a long shot and off the rack isn’t as hard as I tried to make it. At the shot the gander did a backflip and was done. The little bullet did almost no damage and the goose was too good to rob of its feathers and leave for the kitchen ladies. Wik had already spoken with the taxidermist and had instructions how to care for it preparatory to shipping home. I am a bird taxidermist on my days away from the fire department and fingers crossed I can do the skin due justice when it makes the migration all the way to my house. This will be a good trial run for future bird hunts as well.
A beautiful bird. I’ve always wanted one and was grateful when the opportunity was offered.
We dropped off a load of meat and bones to the butchery on our way to port Elizabeth and the airport. Wik walked me in, got me to the right place before the gate was even open. we shook hands and my hunt was officially over.
Wik came out with a little workhorse rifle and suggested we go hunting one more time.
His plan was to use his suppressed .222 and try for some birds. Wik had guinee fowl on his mind as were could still use some fly tying material and he knows how much I love birds. I’ve never asked to hunt them because I kinda feel like it is a waste to kill just one bird and do it with a rifle. Wik had that sorted out too, I just needed to do my part. My place would be in the rack of the truck and when Wik stopped I had several seconds to pick any bird before they flew. I missed my chance at a guinee. . . I drew feathers which we kept and then continued on our way. We drove the property as time allowed just saying goodbye to the giraffes and waterbuck and the odd kudu that was still out in the sun. On our way back to the lodge we found a single Egyptian goose. It wasn’t a long shot and off the rack isn’t as hard as I tried to make it. At the shot the gander did a backflip and was done. The little bullet did almost no damage and the goose was too good to rob of its feathers and leave for the kitchen ladies. Wik had already spoken with the taxidermist and had instructions how to care for it preparatory to shipping home. I am a bird taxidermist on my days away from the fire department and fingers crossed I can do the skin due justice when it makes the migration all the way to my house. This will be a good trial run for future bird hunts as well.
A beautiful bird. I’ve always wanted one and was grateful when the opportunity was offered.
We dropped off a load of meat and bones to the butchery on our way to port Elizabeth and the airport. Wik walked me in, got me to the right place before the gate was even open. we shook hands and my hunt was officially over.
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