Media Release

Date: 17 May 2011

Hunters Sentenced for Spotlighting in Breach of DOC Permits

Hunters Sentenced in Connection with Fatal Campground Shooting

Three Hamilton men were each fined $2500 today in the Taupo District Court for hunting offences committed at the time of the fatal shooting of Rosemary Ives at a DOC campground near Turangi last October.

Brad Ward Bennet and Ashley Paul Wolland, both aged 27, and Kyle Raymond Dean, aged 18, pleaded guilty to breaching their DOC hunting permits by hunting after dark on the night Rosemary Ives was fatally shot by hunter Andrew Mears.

Mears is currently serving a two and a half year jail sentence for manslaughter.

The Department of Conservation’s National Hunting Advisor, Brent Beavan said DOC is very concerned about the safety of people using conservation land and the fines send a very clear message.

“If you want to hunt on public conservation land you must have a permit and the rules are very clear about where and when you can hunt. Hunting after dark is strictly prohibited.”

“Hunters must respect the safety of others. The vast majority of hunters using conservation land do act responsibly but DOC will take action against anyone who breaches their permits.”

Background Information

• Any person hunting on public conservation land must obtain a hunting permit from the Department of Conservation. Information for safe hunting practice, where to hunt on conservation land and how to obtain a permit can be found on the DOC website at www.doc.govt.nz/hunting

• In February, a Wanaka man was sentenced to 60 hours community service and had his firearm seized after he was found guilty of hunting in the Abel Tasman National Park after dark and without a permit

ENDS

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