Farmer fined for hunting on private land

Carterton farmer Laurence Drinnan, 53, earlier pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to illegal hunting.

A 53-year-old Carterton farmer has been fined $600 for illegally hunting on private land.

Appearing before Judge Barbara Morris in the Masterton District Court recently, after previously pleading guilty to illegal hunting, Laurence Drinnan was ordered to pay the fine as well as $130 court costs.

On March 30, Drinnan and his young son were hunting near Mataikona on a block of scrub and planted pine trees on private land when the owner, who was staying in a hut, heard a shot and found Drinnan preparing to carry out a deer carcass.

The owner was concerned because his children played in the bush area on the property.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said illegal hunting was an ongoing issue in the area.

When spoken to by police, Drinnan told them he had wounded the deer the day before and tracked it to a neighbouring property.

Judge Morris said while it was out of character for the farmer to illegally hunt, there was always a risk to others when hunting on private land without permission.

"There is always a risk ... that tragedy could come about," she said.