* a collection of stories and memories, in no particular order, from the life and times of John Clarke, who served as a policeman in the Australian Police Force, a great practical joker, he also had a great affinity with people and wildlife, was a champion swimmer, snooker player, loved golf, still loves fishing and is also an artist. I hope you enjoy his recollections - cheers, karin (his daughter)
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Female fox urine is a famous lure for foxes. Fox fur skins were valuable in the 70's.
At Wellington in the late seventies, Gavin McDonald, Bob McPherson and I formed a night spotlight fox team. I drove, Bob shone the light and Gavin was the crack shot! He used a high powered rife and high power scope and used to hit them regularly on the nose up to 400m away. Gavin had a dog to help find them in the grass and bush in the dark. Freezing nights as winter is when the skins are good. We got between $12 and $30 per skin. Out best night was 27 foxes and 1 feral cat..
We had a lady make Sally a lovely rabbit fur coat with cat skin collar. (extras when we were shooting!)
Anyhow I played a joke on Gavin. I told him I could get synthetic fox urine. I got the local science teacher to make up a foul smelling liquid and gave a bottle to Gavin. On his days off he went in the bush painting the liquid on fence posts and trees and then would return on his tracks with his rifle on a few days - he didn't get a fox! lol
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