No meat is better than no mate

Identify your target

Hunters heading out for this year’s roar are being urged to think twice before pulling the trigger.

‘No meat is better than no mate’ is the mantra that all hunters should know and remember, The Mountain Safety Council firearms and hunter safety programme manager Nicole McKee said.

With increased hunting activity expected, especially on public land, now is a good time for hunters to refresh themselves of the seven basic rules of firearms safety, before going bush, she said.

‘‘Identifying your target beyond all doubt is perhaps the most important rule at this time of year and should be second nature to all hunters.’’

Hunters should avoid firing at shape, colour, movement or sound.

‘‘Hunters should sight the head, neck and shoulder of the animal all at the same time, or at least enough of the animal to positively confirm target identification. Make sure that what you are looking at is not a fellow hunter carrying a dead animal,’’ McKee said.

There are very few nonintentional firearms incidents in New Zealand that lead to injury or death, she said, however, tragedies often coincide with an increased number of hunters participating in the roar.

‘‘When the freezer is empty and the pressure is on, it’s easy to let your emotions take over,’’ McKee said. ‘‘However, good hunters will be aware that this can happen; they will recognise the symptoms of buck fever, and will take action to make sure they don’t succumb to the tricks that your eyes and brain can play.’’

If all hunters followed each basic rule to the letter, then there would be zero non-intentional firearms incidents in New Zealand, she said.

‘‘They are all avoidable. It’s as simple as that and we are hoping for an incident-free roar this year.’’

Rule three states that you should ‘only load a firearm only when ready to fire’ and make sure that you are in an area where it can be safely discharged. If game gets away, put the round back in the magazine and close the bolt on the empty chamber.

Lastly, wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the environment (and deer) will help you to be seen by other hunters who may be in your area, she said.

‘‘However, the responsibility of target identification always lies in the hands of the person carrying the gun.’’