So about a month ago, Bret was all excited about the on line auction that Safari Club International holds every year. The first one was held in Dallas, and it must have been a good year for oil or something because the hunts were going for ridiculous prices. We were looking for a hunt in New Zealand for next year and also for a Tanzania hunt. We had no luck in Dallas, so we waited for the next auction which would be held in Las Vegas two weeks later. The prices of these hunts were going for a more reasonable sum and we were actually getting excited. The New Zealand hunt came up and we started bidding. It kept going up and up, and it passed where we said we would stop. Bret looked at me and said "what do you think?" I said, "bid one more time and see what happens." So we bid one more time, and the guy we were bidding against didn't bid again! The auctioneer said "Sold! to on line bidder Bret Heileson!" I couldn't believe it! We were actually going to New Zealand in 2016! I've wanted to go there for a long time and a trip was finally bought! We paid a bit more than we wanted but it's still a good deal. We had a year to plan for this, so saving up the money we would need for the trip seemed easy. We would be going in May, which is really not a great time to go since its during the school year, and it would be Ben's senior year as well. But I wasn't worried about it to much as it was still a year away. So imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks ago, Bret asks me what I thought of going to New Zealand THIS year. What??? I'm not ready! I need to get in shape for hiking in the mountains , and find someone to stay with the boys, and a sub for seminary, and wow that's really soon! Bret had received an email from the Hunting guide in New Zealand and he said they were already booked up for 2016. But he had openings for May of 2015. We talked about it and figured it was now or never. We didn't want to wait 3 years to go! So Bret and I are off to New Zealand May 16th!
This is were we'll be going. It's not far from Greymouth, which is on the West side of the South Island. The lodge and camp are located in the Haupiri River valley. We will be hunting Tahr, and Red Stag. I'm super excited to be going on another world hunting adventure!! For the Tahr we are actually going to be flown by helicopter to the top of some mountain and camp there in tents for 2 days! Because that's where these animals live. The Red Stag will be down in the valleys. Bret wants me to shoot the Tahr. I just hope I don't freak out and miss. Bret will be going for the Red Stag. We're going to be seeing some sights as well. Lots to see there, lots to get ready, long flight ahead!
