Duck-shooting victims’ photos being used to identify hunters

Police are using photos taken by two women shot by a group of duck hunters on the Clutha River in Central Otago to identify the men involved.

The women were bruised when they were hit by shotgun pellets discharged by the men, who were shooting from a boat in the river near Alexandra on Sunday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said the women received ‘‘nasty bruises’’ in the incident. They were walking along a public walk track and should have been safe, he said.

Police had asked members of the hunting group to come forward, but had not heard from them yesterday.

Police were following ‘‘reasonably good’’ leads and would release the photos publicly if necessary. Police were also working through the legalities of the situation, he said.

Otago Fish & Game chief executive Ian Hadland said he could not comment on whether the men were shooting legally without knowing more details. However, rivers and wetlands throughout Otago were common places for duckhunting activity, especially over the season’s opening weekend, he said.

‘‘Encroachment of dwellings, tracks and cycle trails alongside these same areas does have the potential to put higher densities of people into closer proximity to traditional hunting areas.’’

Duck hunting from a moored boat is permitted on the Clutha River but hunting from a drifting boat on opening weekend, or from a boat under power at any time in the season, is not.

It was clear that one of the seven basic rules was broken in this incident, Hadland said.

The women may have inadvertently walked into a firing zone or the hunters might not have been aware they were in the background.

‘‘Either way it’s the firearm’s user who is ultimately responsible and so it’s a matter for the police to follow up in the first instance.’’

Hadland urged the hunters to come forward so more could be learnt about the circumstances.

About 4000 duck hunters were out in the region over the opening weekend, he said.

People with information about the incident should call police on 105, quoting P046364839.

‘‘It’s the firearm’s user who is ultimately responsible.’’

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis