Hunters urged to stay safe as roar begins

The approaching “roar” and game bird season will mean thousands of hunters in the hills and swamps of New Zealand and a time to remind hunters to be safe.

In the past decade the number of firearm license applicants has more than doubled, and the Hunter Safety Inter-agency Committee is reminding hunters to follow basic rules: • Get a firearms licence and permission to hunt on land. • Communicate your presence to other hunters. • Understand and observe the basic rules of firearm safety. Most incidents are the result of failure to observe basic rules.

Analysis of incidents has identified unlicensed shooters and illegal hunting as “red flags”, along with spotlighting, which have featured frequently in shooting incidents. Experienced shooters are not exempt from making mistakes. Bad habits, complacency and deteriorating eyesight have been linked to past incidents, said committee chairman Bill O’Leary.

“Each and every hunter needs to look hard at their own and their mates’ attitudes and conduct and ensure that safety is the most basic of considerations when hunting.” The Hunter Safety Interagency Committee promotes safe firearm usage and draws its members from NZ Police, Department of Conservation, NZ Deerstalkers’ Association, Fish and Game NZ, New Zealand Pig Hunters’ Association and Firearm Safety Specialists NZ.