Judging by the turnout, a total of 35 children and 54 adults taking part in this year's event, the Taipa Tavern Tyrezone Pig Hunt is here to stay.
At the event weigh-in on Saturday, July 6, organiser Frances 'Fruitcake' Clark said she was pleasantly shocked by the turnout, nearly doublethat seen at the inaugural contest when it was introduced on to the Far North hunting calendar last year.
"It was just an awesome day! Wasn't any major dramas, everyone was just happy," Fruitcake said in typically succinct style, refusing to make a silk purse out of sow's ear, as it were.
She did however, want to extend thanks to the major sponsors who have promised to return next year and various local business folk and individuals who helped in a variety of ways including Debbie and Grant Clarke, judge Pete Dawson from Kerikeri, Jeremy Garton and boys, and, last but not least, Mike Rider for MCing for the day and doing an awesome job too by all accounts.
Results were, Average Weight: 106lb Bryce Hills who weighed in two pigs, this was the first. Best Looking Boar: 106lb Dave Lloyd. Best Jaw: Rob Proctor, and, Heaviest Boar: Norm Wilde 132lb, Mike 129lb, Ronnie Fenwick 1221b.
Also, from the junior categories, Heaviest Possum: Wyatt Harris 6.84kg, 1, Max Butler 6.77kg, 2, Stevie Lee 6.62kg, 3; Best Eel: Kairyn Collings 15.12lb, Kowhai 11.34lb and Adyn Shaft 9.90lb.
