Hunting Tragedy

‘The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) was saddened to hear of the hunting fatality that occurred over Easter Weekend,’ says Tim McCarthy, NZDA National President.

The tragic death of a hunter who died Easter Weekend in the Aorangi Forest Park in the Wairarapa highlights the need for hunters to take particular care at this time of year; the peak of the deer mating season where stags roar to challenge other stags.

‘These tragedies are avoidable and should never happen,’ McCarthy went on to say. ‘In incidents such as these, the shooting of another hunter is not really an accident, as the rifle did not go off by itself. They are mistakes. Mistakes of identity that is, failing to positively identify the target beyond all reasonable doubt.’

McCarthy also acknowledged that, ‘Hunters must take full responsibility for their actions and realise that the outcome of their mistake is the likelihood of being charged, appearing in court and possibly serving a sentence.’

In the past ten years, there have been eight hunter deaths and three other hunters seriously injured, usually where one hunter has shot a companion or another hunter whilst deer hunting. Of the incidents resulting in a hunter death, where one hunter shoots another the primary causal factor is the failure to identify the target beyond all doubt.

Hunters need to see sufficient of the target animal to positively confirm it is the intended target and never ever shoot until they are certain of this fact. Under certain circumstances the brain can trick the eyes and therefore hunters should always assume any shape, colour, movement or sound is a human until proven otherwise.’

‘Identifying your target beyond all doubt is one of the seven basic rules of safe firearm handling and should be second nature to all hunters. Ultimately, though the responsibility of target identification lies in the hands of the shooter.’

McCarthy continued by indicating, ‘Inexperienced hunters who wish to improve their skills and safety in the bush should consider contacting an NZDA branch and asking about the association’s HUNTS courses which place emphasis on safety and enhancing hunting skills.’

McCarthy concluded by saying, ‘comply with all the seven basic rules of firearms safety, make sure you positively identify your target beyond all doubt both during the current Roar and also during the duck shooting season due to begin early May.’

ENDS
Background information:
THE SEVEN BASIC RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS
1. TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
- Check every firearm yourself.
- Pass or accept only an open or unloaded firearm.
2. ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE DIRECTION
- Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
3. LOAD A FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
- Load the magazine only after you reach your shooting area.
- Load the chamber only when ready to shoot.
- Completely unload before leaving the shooting area.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET BEYOND ALL DOUBT
- Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive you.
- Assume colour, shape, sound, and shape to be human until proven otherwise.
5. CHECK YOUR FIRING ZONE
- THINK! What may happen if you miss your target? What might you hit between you and the target or beyond?
- Do not fire if you know others are in your firing zone.
6. STORE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SAFELY
- When not in use, lock away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately.
- Never leave firearms in a vehicle that is unattended.
7. AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS
- Good judgement is the key to safe use of firearm

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