Illegal hunter apologises, sends $50 gift voucher

A Carterton truck driver caught illegally hunting in a block near Mataikona was convicted of breaching the Wild Animal Control Act.

Casey Earl Maciver, 32, appeared in Masterton District Court on Monday and was also convicted of wilful damage.

According to the police summary of facts on May 25, at about 7.30am, the complainant saw a hunter, with a rifle, on his property inside the boundary fence.

The hunter noticed he was being observed and slipped back into the bush.

The landowner was unsuccessful in locating the hunter but later found where he had used a wire cutter to cut holes in the deer fence, to enter and exit through the boundary fence.

The next day he made some enquiries and identified the hunter as Maciver.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said Maciver had written a letter of apology to the landowner, which he had sent with a $50 gift voucher.

He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and offered to fix the fence.

Mr Blathwayt said Maciver, a father of two, now cannot drive his truck in that area, which at the moment is a critical spot for him.

"There are no excuses for being on the land but he has done his best to make good," Mr Blathwayt said.

Judge Tom Broadmore said the letter of apology was a "good one".

"I appreciate the time it took to write it," Judge Broadmore said.

Judge Broadmore said he was not surprised the landowner was upset and had chosen to pursue the matter.

"It looks to me ... other people are trying the same sort of thing," he said.

Judge Broadmore ordered Maciver to pay a $240 fine, reparation of $100 and court costs.