Brother responsible for tragic shooting accident

Photo / Herald on Sunday

The hunter killed on duck-shooting season's opening day was shot by his brother, on his first day of duck shooting in nearly 20 years.

Relatives confirmed yesterday that 53-year-old Phillip Bright, from Waiuku, died from shotgun wounds inflicted by his brother, Barrie Bright.

Barrie owns the farm on Taurangaruru Rd where the shooting took place.

Phillip was an experienced hunter, but had not shot ducks in about 18 years.

With the duck-shooting season only 12 hours old, he was killed near a stand of trees on a hill above the rural home.

His mother said on Sunday that she understood how her son could have been killed duck shooting. She said the full story was slow in coming, but she was too upset to comment further.

One family member said media reports that Phillip had hunted ducks all his life were false.

"He could hunt, but he had not been duck shooting for about 18 years. This was his first day in a long time."

Police had asked the family about the history between the men in order to rule out foul play.

The Bright family were hesitant to comment further until seeing a coroner's report, which would reveal the full details of the killing.

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the death appeared to be a tragic accident. The brothers reportedly held valid hunting licences.

Fish and Game director Bryce Johnson has said deaths during duck season are rare, because of the limited range of the weapons and rules that say that hunters must shoot skywards, from huts at least 91m apart.

The death came as Fish and Game pushed for legislative change requiring all duck shooters to have a hunting licence, even for hunting on private land.

At present, the Wildlife Act specifies that any private land owner can hunt on his or her own property without a licence.

Mr Johnson said licences ensured that hunters had up-to-date firearms safety instilled into them.

"In future, even people who don't require a licence may still be required to get one but perhaps not pay for it, so we can give them a safety message," he said.

"The only way they get this message is when they first get their licence. Thereafter, there is no further enforcement, even when you renew your licence."