The bloody weather! That is how I started my last editorial, but little did I know what was to happen a couple of weeks later would make the North Island summer so far pale into insignificance

Cyclone Gabrielle. It’s now 5 weeks on from the day the Hawkes Bay and other North Island communities won’t forget in a very long time. Our HB base has been devastated, and we’ve been able to think of nothing but trying to recover since. The fantastic wilderness trips to various parts of the country we experienced not very long ago are now a distant memory, and when I close my eyes now all I see is mud, silt and mess as far as the eye can see. 

Out of adversity comes the best of humanity. We have been overwhelmed by the number of people offering to help - turning up with shovels, wheelbarrows, generators, petrol, diesel, tractors, side by sides, diggers, loaders, trucks, fencing materials, and endless food and supplies. People have come to help all the way from Southland to Northland. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all those who have helped or donated to flood victims where ever they may be. We sure do appreciate it! 

Of course Gabrielle also destroyed parts of our Forest Parks, especially the Ruahines and Kawekas. All the access roads into the Kawekas are closed, and even though the Park itself is open, it’s going to be very difficult to get there! The fly-in access via HeliSika is probably your best bet, or walk in from the North. And now it’s looking like the effects of La Niña is waning, and we are back to the usual unsettled autumn weather with regular Westerly fronts followed by Southerly clearances. The first period Wapiti guys are getting some pretty mixed weather as I write this. 

We managed to get away from the HB mud briefly to catch up with Ben Reddiex and Tom Brookman from DOC, in charge of the tahr control program, at the last TPILG meeting. While we are making good progress in some areas, we all need to keep doing our bit to reduce nannies pretty much wherever we see reasonable numbers. It is almost impossible for recreational hunters to shoot too many in the densely clad West Coast areas. We ask all you guys lucky enough to have won a tahr ballot this year to please try and shoot a few nannies while you’re on the lookout for a bull. It would be really useful if someone in your party carried a suppressed 223 that will cause minimal disturbance to the area just for this purpose. Then you should be happy to do some nanny population control while you’re looking for your trophy. 

Don’t forget the new Season of the TV Show continues on TVNZ’s Duke at 8.30pm Sunday nights! We had some unbelievable feedback about the episodes so far, which is really satisfying after all the work that has gone into them. 

Hot barrels for the 6th of May!

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Test Fires: We evaluate...

• Nemo Tracker 2p Tent
• South Pacific Helicopters