Police urge hunters not to drink

With the hunting season about to get under way police are warning game shooters to be extra careful.

Identifying the target "beyond all doubt" and avoiding drugs and alcohol were among the basic safety rules listed by police.

"It only takes a second to make a potentially tragic mistake - no animal is worth that mistake. Ensure your target is correctly identified, beyond any doubt," Rotorua arms officer Mike Keefe said.

"Target identification could mean the difference between a human life - or death."

Mr Keefe said the issue of drinking and hunting had come to police attention last season, and stressed that the two were a potentially lethal combination.

"Some people may see the consumption of a tot or two as part of the tradition of duck shooting. In fact, it's just plain dangerous."

Mr Keefe said one hunter was completely blind in one eye after an incident last year, but that he was lucky not to have lost his life.

"In this incident, two people had been drinking alcohol while they were out hunting. One of them had shot and downed a duck and whilst retrieving the bird, his colleague opened fire at another duck. A pellet struck his friend in the eye causing permanent blindness. The outcome could have been much more serious."

Hunters were also reminded that shooting from moving vehicles on public roads was illegal, and those found doing so might lose not only their firearms licence, but their drivers licence as well.

"Safety should always be the number one priority and careful use of firearms is absolutely paramount."

- NZPA