Media release from Southland Fish & Game

Hefty fines for duck hunters who tried to dodge fines

Two Te Anau duck hunters have been fined more than $6000 each today(17/7/2012) in the Invercargill District Court, after pleading guilty to charges including hunting without licences, giving false information and using forged documents.

The pair, Grant Harpur and Neville Sandilands, also had their shotguns and ammunition forfeited after pleading guilty to further counts of using lead shot and unlicensed possession of a firearm.

The court heard that the men had failed in their attempts to avoid prosecution for hunting without licences, and other offending. The pair were challenged by rangers in a maimai on opening weekend of the duck hunting season. They denied hunting – claiming they had neither hunting nor firearm licenses.

The two then obtained back-dated hunting licenses and sales receipts which they produced to Fish & Game, in a bid to avoid prosecution. In a joint operation with the Police, Fish & Game officers obtained sufficient evidence to gain admissions from the pair.

A licence agent will also be prosecuted in the case.

“It’s a particularly pleasing result,” says Fish & Game’s Southland’s Operations Manager Zane Moss, “because our organisation’s entire system is dependent on people not being able to cheat the system and produce a hunting or fishing licence – after being caught without one.

“We’re lucky to have good relationships with our licence agents so attempts to back-date licenses are rare. But stiff sentences such as this should remind any unlicensed hunters that such actions are treated by the courts as far more than minor mischief.

“We’re particularly grateful for the assistance we’ve received from Police officers who helped with our enquiries, and also prosecuted the pair for unlicensed possession of a firearm and using forged documents.”

Revenue from the fines will be used to provide assistance with the restoration of wetland habitats on private land. “It’s highly satisfying to be able to use fine revenue for something positive. The creation and restoration of wetlands not only provides more hunting opportunities, but also provides valuable habitat for a whole host of native and introduced species.”

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