"Safety first" ahead of game bird season opening

Media release from Fish & Game NZ

"Safety first" ahead of game bird season opening

Fish & Game NZ is urging hunters to consider safety first ahead of the game bird season opening.

Fish & Game NZ is appealing to the 40,000-plus game bird hunters to focus on ‘safety first’ ahead of the 2012 season, which opens this weekend (Saturday, May 5).

Chief executive Bryce Johnson says recent deer hunting fatalities are a tragic reminder of the importance of firearms safety.

“The lead-up to opening day is an exciting time for game bird hunters and it can also be very busy as final preparations are made. However, I encourage all those hunters heading out on Saturday morning to take a few minutes to refresh themselves with the seven golden rules of firearms safety in the Arms Code.”

A link to the Arms Code, along with other safety tips and messages can be found on the Fish & Game website [click here] and these have actively been promoted to hunters through the organisation’s pre-season publications.

“One of the greatest dangers in duck hunting is unsafe handling of firearms in the maimai – hunters need to be particularly careful when they have loaded shotguns in confined spaces with others present. Always have your firearm pointed in a safe direction.”

Another key rule is avoiding drugs and alcohol when handling firearms, something the Police intend cracking down on in some parts of the country this weekend.

“The Police have given fair warning that they will not tolerate unsafe firearms use and Fish & Game fully supports this stance,” says Mr Johnson.

And chasing waterfowl means more than potential firearms danger. “Getting to where the birds are can mean putting yourself into some potentially risky situations, climbing into and using punts, dinghies and runabouts, and other water craft.

“Whether it is a large river or lake, or a wetland, there are many ways for the careless to get into trouble – especially by failing to observe simple rules of safe boating, such as always wearing a life jacket.

“These days there is no excuse for not having a properly fitting lifejacket, as you can buy camo buoyancy vests or camo suspender-type life jackets which only need a pull on the tab to inflate.”

Fish & Game is also asking game bird hunters to act in accordance with the Code of Conduct published on the website [click here] and in the regulations guide that all licenced hunters receive.

“The Code of Conduct contains simple pointers about the need for hunters to respect private property, and acting safely and responsibly to ensure they don’t endanger themselves or others,” Mr Johnson points out.

“We especially encourage those hunting on the land they occupy, and who therefore may not have received Fish & Game information, to visit our website and read the Arms Code and safety messages.”

With 40,000-plus licensed hunters – and many more hunting under land occupier dispensation – turning out around the country, Fish & Game will be launching comprehensive ranging operations in all 12 of its regions. Staff and honorary rangers will be checking game bird licences, bag limits, and enforcing the ban on using lead shot within 200 metres of open water.

“Game bird season opening is the highlight on the hunting calendar for many,” says Mr Johnson. “It’s a fantastic pursuit – a great way of engaging in a healthy outdoor activity, and a wonderful means of harvesting free range food from New Zealand’s abundant outdoor supermarket.

“Fish & Game is simply asking all hunters to act safely and responsibly so we can all enjoy this long-standing Kiwi tradition for many more years to come.”

Additional information:

Seven basic rules of firearms safety

1. Treat every firearm as loaded
2.
3. Always point firearms in a safe direction
4.
5. Load a firearm only when ready to fire
6.
7. Identify your target beyond all doubt
8.
9. Check your firing zone
10.
11. Store firearms and ammunition safely
12.
13. Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms
14.

ends

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