It has been probably a decade or more since we were here. We recently hunted the block next store and got back in touch. We showed up before dark to listen for the callers. We did not hear any close enough. There were callers all around about a kilometre away. So off we went in two directions. I went solo to cover one edge. I did find one tree and got all 17 birds, which was pretty cool. The solo carry out to the truck was challenging. The boys got another dozen but I must say, it was nothing like it used to be. I would like to say the birds never really came back from way back when we were culling, but that is just not the case. Clearly there had been ongoing efforts to control the birds. The signs were all there...there were no peafowl roosting in the traditional, easy roosts. There was a whole large bush area near the yards that did not have any peafowl roosting at all. Where we found the birds they were far from the paddock edge tucked in tight. One hen had one leg, another had a healed bullet wound. These animals adapt to hunting pressure and are very resilient. If you want your block culled properly, leave the birds alone for a couple of years so they feel safe. Then they will roost where we can find them all. We still managed 30 peafowl, 13 possums, five bunnies and a rat so not a bad night.
