Poachers putting Southland forestry workers at risk
Southland forestry workers are being put in danger by unlawful hunters trespassing during the roar, a company boss says.
The Southland Rayonier Matariki Forests team manages 24,000ha of plantation forests in 26 blocks around Southland, with 70% of the estate in pine trees, while also managing 2000ha of protected native forest.
The company allowed for organised hunting in its forests for both registered hunting clubs and contractors.
However, Rayonier’s Southland regional manager Hamish Fitzgerald said unlawful hunting was common in its blocks, especially during the roar season in autumn, when vocal stags were trying to gain the attention of hinds.
Fitzgerald said he received daily reports during the roar of trespassing in its blocks, whether unlawful hunting or other illegal activities.
The trespassing reports were on a weekly basis for the remainder of the year.
About 200 people worked in Rayonier blocks and they were being put at risk, he said.
While a logging operation was easy to pinpoint, silviculture workers, scientists, inventory crews and Rayonier’s own staff were “less obvious” and more difficult for the unlawful hunters to identify.
The Rayonier blocks they entered were generally gated and with signs saying there should be no unauthorised access.
“It's not just us affected by poaching, it also affects farmers and their families and other forest owners in the region,” Fitzgerald said.
Otautau Police Sergeant Chris Maguire confirmed unlawful hunting remained an issue for forestry and farm workers all year round in rural Southland, and was a significant problem for police. “We support people hunting but we request they do it through the right channels and obtain a permit ... so there’s no surprises.”
Police had appointed three sworn staff to rural liaison positions in Southland this year, to engage with rural communities and provide advice in areas including illegal hunting and poaching.
A police spokesperson said unlawful hunting put other people in the area at risk and could have potentially fatal consequences.
During the hunting season, police typically expected to see an increase in unlawful hunting and poaching, however, there had not been a noticeable increase in reports recently.
Hunting on land without permission was dangerous, reckless and carried a fine or term of imprisonment. A conviction could also lead to the revocation of firearms licenses and forfeiture of hunting equipment.
The three staff were appointed to rural liaison positions to help strengthen the relationship with rural communities.
Their tasks would include reminding people in rural areas to stay vigilant to suspicious and illegal activity, and report it to police.
Police could not always attend reports immediately.
But it was vital the rural residents continued to report matters to police as it allowed police to form a picture of what was happening and helped with decision-making, the spokesperson said.