Hog, dogs & a rifle KIM'S WILD ADVENTURES

The author's urging others to give living off the land a shot

- Fleur Guthrie

Whether it’s pig hunting through remote Marlborough mountain trails, dragon boating or out on horse treks, it’s rare to find Kim Swan sitting still – unless, of course, she’s writing a new book.

The day before the Weekly chats to her down the line from her home in Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim, Kim had done a 100km bike ride to mark the winter solstice, while also raising awareness of heart disease. The adventure-seeking 59-year-old simply hopes she can inspire a few people to get fit despite the winter months.

“Life is for living,” she says. “I was widowed at 31, so it made me realise that you have to grab life by the balls and enjoy it because the housework is always going to be there!”

Kim has been entertaining Kiwis with her hunting escapades for decades. In her 10th book – released last month – she shares her favourite pig-hunting stories from the hilarious to the hair-raising.

She hopes Hog, Dogs and a Rifle will be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good yarn, dogs and rugged places or – with this country’s current cost of living crisis – is keen to give hunting for wild game a go.

“I was born into a family of outdoors adventurers and my mother took me on my first hunt,” recalls Kim. “It’s a family tradition that the babies are out on the hill by the time they’re two weeks old.”

So was she instantly hooked on the sport as a child?