Cautionary words for all hunters

A South Canterbury hunter with half a century of experience has a message for hunters young and old: ‘‘Stick to the plan and don’t take risks’’.

The message of caution comes after the release of ‘‘A Hunter’s Tale: A deep dive into hunting incidents in New Zealand’’, a report which compiles over 13,000 records in the most complete and in depth look into hunting and accidents ever compiled in New Zealand.

Deerstalkers’ Association of South Canterbury (DSSC) member Allan ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie said during 52 years of hunting big game in the area he had learned a lot through trial and error and the new generation should learn from his mistakes.

The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) report found alpine hunting is big in Canterbury and the West Coast, with 39 per cent of alpine hunters being the subject of search and rescue operations in Canterbury, and 32 per cent on the West Coast.

Alpine hunters were twice as likely to suffer falling injuries and one and a half times more likely to sprain a foot or knee than other hunters, the report said.

For Gillespie, there was ‘‘no excuse’’ for accidents and injuries while hunting as there were so many resources and so much information available to hunters now.

Hunters could avoid being injured or lost by making a plan and sticking firmly to it, he said.

Gillespie said the few times he had been injured while alpine hunting happened when he took unnecessary risks.

‘‘Once the adrenalin gets pumping, you can make mistakes.’’

He and others had learned by hurting themselves. Years ago he and a friend were hunting in the Mt Cook area and decided to cross a snow chute.

‘‘We knew it was a risk to cross, but we did it anyway.’’

His friend slid down the chute, and when the snow ran out the rocks began.

‘‘He tore up his shorts and most of his backside.’’

Education and training was key. The DSSC held training groups that taught big game and alpine hunters everything they needed to know.

Gillespie’s grandson, who was going through training with DSSC, would come out of that knowing how to map out a route, be safe with a firearm, what gear to take and what to do in high-risk situations. The power was with the hunter, he said.

MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said the report did not seek to ‘‘point fingers’’ at hunters but instead identify the causes of the incidents and plan action to reduce accident numbers.

The report was just the start, Daisley said.

As early as next year, MSC wanted to engage in conversations with hunters, non-hunters and behavioural scientists to understand why such incidents were happening in South Canterbury and find a way to reduce fatalities and injuries.

Department of Conservation ranger Ray Bellringer said the report was accurate.

The two biggest reasons for search and rescue being called to assist hunters were falls or ankle or knee injuries.

Police had a message for those planning to hunt.

Senior constable Darren Cox, of Central Otago said anyone who was planning to use a firearm, whether for hunting for game animals, or birds, or target shooting for sport, was ‘‘required to be in possession of a valid firearms licence and comply with the New Zealand Arms Code at all times’’.