Heading for the hills this weekend, instead of tackling the traffic, will be an easy choice for keen hunters. And for those entering the annual contest run by the Katikati Pig Hunters & Deer Stalkers Club there's the added attraction of $5000 worth of sponsorship & prizes.

"This year, for the first time, we have a couple of 22 calibre rifles on the prize list and an excellent new link up with Tauranga Hunting & Fishing as sponsors, " said John Campbell, new club president.

"It's an open contest which means anyone can enter and there's no limit on where you can hunt. The heaviest pig caught by a club member so far this season is an 88.5kg one shot by Greg Konning."

John is fresh from a Fiordland expedition where he shot 22 pigs. And while the hunting in the Kaimais won't be as easy, he says members have had steady success with both deer & pigs this year.

"The kids aren't forgotten and the contest we run for them at the same time is always popular. Entry for children is free, they can bring in their eels, possums or magpies and this year we have a new competition for tossing the possum into a drum."

Women will be flexing their muscles to show they can keep up with the blokes and there will be deer & pig-carrying contests as well.

"This has become a great family day out, especially when the weather is fine and we hope to have a Ferris wheel and bouncy castle as well this year.

I have looked on the website for the photo that goes with this article but unfortunately, with no luck. The photo is the icing on the cake & I am only sorry I cannot share it with you. I won't describe it in case I can find it at a later date.