I arrived earlier today and hiked to one of my favourite shooting-hides, a pleasant hike of around thirty minutes in temperatures in the mid-twenties [C] and under clear blue skies. There, I read a book, Testament of Youth, and allowed myself to sink back into the cradle of nature, the soundtrack were the sounds of the planet devoid of other humans and I found an inner-peace that only places like this can bring me.
I waited, it was too early for my targets to be moving around, and as the sun dipped below the horizon to begin someone else's day on the other side of the world I revelled in the moment, the solitude and quiet, knowing that it would soon get noisy. I'm here to shoot, to perform culling operations of feral animals, kangaroos and deer...but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a peaceful moment first.
As the sun set and the day gave way to night I began to prepare. The book was stowed in my pack and I laid prone behind my rifle and began scoping the terrain for targets, it was time to work; the sound of my firearm would soon break the silence and the yellow and red would come from muzzle flash as the explosion within sent projectiles racing towards their targets and the light of life would be extinguished...but not before I created this post.
I don't often have the opportunity to post directly from where I shoot, I'm usually too busy and there's little to no cell-phone service but today, due to my location on the property, I had cell service and decided to put a little post together as a live-time record of the moment.
I don't enjoy taking life, if I was to start enjoying it I'd know it was time to stop doing it; it's a necessity from a farming perspective though, as I've said on occasions in other posts, and one I take seriously. I'm workman-like, professional and humane, I pride myself on that, and also make sure I take some moments to appreciate where I am before I do what I have to do...it gives me some balance, peace and serenity before the kinetic activity.
And now...it's a little darker and it's time to work.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
The image in this post is my own
If the picture is the view you had as you were writing this, it is very nice and peaceful. I really respect this statement: "I don't enjoy taking life, if I was to start enjoying it I'd know it was time to stop doing it". This is a job that you do, and you treat it as one.
This is indeed the view I had as I was writing this. I was standing when I took it, but sitting when I wrote the words.
I respect of the words you mentioned, that's how I feel. I do not have to do this, it's not my actual job, so I can stop any time I choose; it has to be done though and I do it humanely which is a lot better than some...so I figure I'll do it. Last night two things died by my hand, but it was quick, instant really, and humane. The many other things that buggered off over the fences did not die though, and neither will they, unless the come back. That's the point of it, to scare the things away, not eradicate them completely.
I am curious though, wouldn't electric fences prevent them from coming back? If a lot of farms put up electric fences and lessen the area that these wild kangaroos can go to, wouldn't that control the population as well?
Nope, thet hop completely over the fences.
Also, imagine the cost of produce if the farmer had to errect many kilometres of electric fence. It's not viable.
Gotcha. Thanks for the answer.
What are the regulatory hurdles for suppressors in Australia? And would you want to deal with the point-of-aim shift inevitably caused by the weight of a can affecting barrel harmonics and whatnot? What is your hearing protection while hunting?
We can have suppressors in my state, they are registered to a single gun and locked to a property meaning it can be used on a particular firearm, the one it is registered to, and only on the designated property as per the suppressors registered property. Having said that, the government haven't devised a way to regulate it yet. Nutbags.
I don't use a suppressor O. My culling rifle, I always use muzzle brakes in my long guns though.
When I put a muzzle break on I have to re-zero the rifle, same with a suppressor. I actually do a whole new load development and often it changes the gunpowder load of the rounds I make significantly enough to make it a requirement. I shoot at long range of course, at shorter distances it's not so much of a problem.
I use electronic ear muffs...they augment the sound so one hears everything very clearly and then dampen sound that is over a certain decibel figure, like that of a gun firing. A two-way radio can be plugged in also, for comms when required. Military stuff.
Your post makes me think of something. In Japan there is a growing problem with wild animals. The hunter population of Japan is aging and falling. Many reasons, one is kids are moving to the cities. Another is that it is so difficult to get a gun license in Japan that many don't want to bother. Regardless of the reasons, we have fewer hunters every year and the dangerous wild animals, such as boars, are increasing. No one really knows how to tackle this problem. I mean, obviously, get more hunters. Loosen laws or do something to encourage more people to hunt. But doing that seems to be something politicians are stuck on.
Anyway, I wonder does Oz have any kind of similar problem like this?
We have wild boars yes, and they're an introduced species so a feral pest that is removed where and when possible; they cause a lot of damage. However, our firearms ownership is increasing not decreasing so it's less of a problem.
What a beautiful landscape, G. And you've published from there. And you even read a bit in your book.
It's a job like any other. I won't judge you, as perhaps others might. We've already discussed this in one of your posts. The one thought that always comes to my mind when you write of these things, is that hopefully all who are involve in this, do so with restraint and respect. I would be there pointing too but with my camera, armed with a big telephoto lens.
🙂
It's a nice spot, better when it's all green of course, but that's not a thing this time of year. I think you'd have a nice time with a long lens as there's a lot to photograph, wildlife and all, if a person has the skills.
I got home late, buggered up my eye too, must have got a seed or some dirt in it, maybe from the muzzle blast, and my right eyeball blew up like a tennis ball and was very painful. It wasn't a good look for me. 🤪
All good though...however still quite painful right now twelve hours later. I'll live, I don't need both eyes anyway.
😲😢
I wish you a speedy recovery. What a problem. You do need both eyes.
It sucks really, especially since I have an online (teams) meeting in ten minutes, only having one eye and the other looking like a red tennis ball isn't ideal. I'll battle on though, I'm never out of the fight. 🙄
Well, it will be a billiard ball because there are no red tennis balls. I see you know a lot about that sport. Hahahaha... you'll have to wear dark glasses. Or one of those eye shields that pirates wear.
G, the pirate.
I have the pirate patch ready just in case I need it, and a parrot for my left shoulder too. It should get a laugh at the very least.
lol.
You've got me laughing. I think what looks good on your shoulder is an eagle.
Seriously G, watch that eye. May it get well soon. Now you need to cut down on the screen time, because you'll be straining the other one.
Looks like a really good place to do your work from! When you say feral do you actually mean feral or just wild? Over here feral is more commonly associated with rabid. It just has that vicious connotation that I am not sure applies outside of the US.
That's a good question Bozz.
Here, it refers to a non-native species that have the potential (or are) established in the wild such as wild pigs, cane toads, goats, rabbits, black rat foxes, deer and so on. It also refers to pest animals and invasive pest species. Kangaroos are native, but can (in places) be a pest animal and so are controlled, (culled) as I was doing tonight. You know there's over a million feral camels in central Australia, they were brought here in the 1800's by Afghan cameleer and used for British exploration treks into the remote areas of the country. Once let loose they bred up and are now a problem. There's over 650,000 brumbies also (wild horses) brought here for the same reason. Both are culled, usually from the air with rifles (helo's), although there's other measures as well.
Wow, that is definitely interesting. I wouldn't have guessed that about the camels. Is there anything useful they can do with them after they are dead or do they just let them sit to return to nature?
Some are taken for food...I've eaten camel, a pub in Alice Springs (right in the middle of Australia) and it's pretty good to be honest. I had emu there too. Mostly though, they lay where they fall and nature takes them back.
The brumbies are handled in the same way but are also rounded up for working horses, farms, rodeo mounts, riding schools and so on. Both cause quite a lot of damage to the environment...their hooves hammer down the dirt near water courses and the rain runs away into the watercourse and away rather than soak in...the knock-on effects are devastating to fauna and flora as the land hasn't evolved to deal with the introduced species. Pigs do untold damage also...all of those ferals I mentioned and the rest also.
Interesting. I have heard of Alice Springs but only because of food. They have a dish at Outback Steakhouse called Alice Springs Chicken. I've never had it, but it's one of their more famous dishes. I went to a wild game dinner several years ago and it was interesting some of the stuff they had cooked up there. I think muskrat was probably the weirdest thing I ate.
Alice Springs is an interesting place, very remote to anywhere else in the country, literally in the middle of nowhere, and seemingly it's inspired a dish thousands of miles away in America. weird huh? (Lolled at muskrat.)
Interesting. The muskrat wasn't too bad. They shredded it so that it was easier to pick out the bones and stuff I think.
Beautiful place to read and reflect for a while until the sun goes down and work begins. Very beautiful place.
Here contrary to expectations still no rain, some clouds, sunshine and pizza day! A peaceful family day.
Hugs Galen!🤗
It's a nice spot, green in places as there's creeks and some water catchment areas plus underground springs. I'm fortunate to have access anytime.
I visualise it as an ideal place to spend the whole day! I would...
I do that sometimes...all night also when I'm able to make it happen, time permitting and all.
I can imagine that situation, it's fantastic, to be one with nature. Perfection!
Ah, I can feel the peace and balance you have felt there. Well, now you might be away from the place but the memories might be long lasting from here.
There was peace...but when I started firing that peace was shattered.
I often see you doing gun stuff, aren't you afraid of guns?
Nope.
This is on the other side of the world, while your day is about to end and dive into the night to rest, my day is about to begin, my hunting ground is the city, facing a terrible daily routine, taking the girls to school then going to college and then back again to pick up the girls and have to go to my other job, not very pleasant for my taste, but there is no other way.
A nice sunrise, the colour in the clouds is so striking, the patterns and all.
You've got a busy day in the urban jungle, I understand it's not the most enjoyable thing but your dedication to your family speaks highly of your character. Have a nice Thursday.
Humane culling a requirement for farmers to feed a nation, nothing goes to waste.
Last rays of sun reflected, opening words alone reflect deep respect toward nature.
Grounded in knowing we are hunters and gatherers, staying grounded with task at hand happy hunting in support of farmers.
!BEER
Yep, you get it...many do not.
Thank you for seeing in those words something that is deeply rooted in my being; a love for nature.
Rain or shine the last half hour of the day is always good time to reflect, both inward and outward, words go through ones head. Wish I could remember some of the thoughts I had!
I don't want to interrupt this moment, which will never come back, there will be others to live; Nature; sincerity; absence of plastic words. Just thank you for sharing it. Here it's raining, I´m working at home and there's no sun...
The moment comes back a couple times a week as I'm there performing those culling duties. I'm lucky to have the chance to do so, sole access to this amazing place.
Hello again; Maybe because of my age; Every moment that gives me life, I savor it and I live it as a miracle; As something unique and unrepeatable. That is what I meant. Maybe a little complicated thought. Greetings and thanks
Every moment in life should be valued no matter a person's age; alas, it's often not until much of it has passed by that people understand and embrace this concept.
It is exactly as you say; and I believe I have learned this lesson in time.
Understanding and learning from the experiences in our lives is a very important thing, most do it but many to a lesser degree, those repeating the same things over again hoping for a different result. I'm fortunate to have learned and adopted many of the lessons that presented themselves, after determining their relevance and import to me and my life, and I've been better for it. I think you could say the same.
Around here it's 6:30 in the morning and still dark. I'm preparing for my new work day. And I feel very identified with what you say when at this moment I think about the things I have had to change in my life to be able to work in something I am passionate about.
Hi my friend! We haven't spoken in a long time and I have so many of your posts to catch up on, I'll start with this and this beautiful image that brings peace...
I'm happy to be back, I'm sorry I didn't contact you but I have to recover my discord account😅in the meantime I left by purchasing the laptop... Oh, by the way we all live in Rome at the moment :-)
A strong hug!
I saw and read your post, it seems you had a lot going on; I often wondered why you disappeared and assumed something more important had come up.
Well, they were intense and complicated months, Samuele risked his life on two occasions and Reny also had a tough time during childbirth.
We spent the last month in hospital... But now things are better and we hope we continue on this path, Samuele still has to have heart surgery, but we will think about it in due time.
I read about the heart surgery, a big thing for such a little person but all will be well, the doctors know what they're about and down the track that little fellow will have a good life and some stories to tell the girls in the bar!
It's an important operation for a little guy like him, but he's strong, a real tough guy!
Eh eh will you believe it if I tell you that I also tell my wife the same thing that you told me... In the future all this will remain for Samuele only a story to tell the girls 😉
Chicks dig scars man, although I guess his may fade somewhat as he gets older.
Seriously though, the little guy will have the chance to understand the fragility of life and therefore make the most of what he has considering how hard he had to fight as a baby to have it.
Yes, I am sure that what he is going through today will make him grow in the future and make him appreciate life and enjoy it in the right way.
I really hope that the scars become a little less visible in the future because they are pretty big... But they are really tough scars eh eh!
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