Warning for all hunters

The tragic death of another hunter shot outdoors by a friend only serves to reinforce the fact that important safety messages still aren't getting through to those of us who like to hunt as a pastime.

In the latest incident, 26-year-old Mark Vanderley was shot with a hunting rifle early on Sunday morning while part of a group spotlighting for deer.

The incident is still being investigated, but police said the shot was fired by another man in the group. Sadly, this is not the only incident of its sort in recent times.

Cameron McDonald died after being shot in the head while hunting in the south Wairarapa bush early last month. Police are still investigating his death.

In March, Wanaka man Reuben Burke admitted a charge of careless use of a firearm, after shooting his best friend dead when he mistook him for a deer.

It all adds up to a grim picture, one which has particular resonance in our region, where hunting is naturally a popular outdoors pursuit.

Some will simply claim that accidents will happen.

But that's just not good enough when it comes to human lives.

Most hunters will naturally maintain that they are in charge of their weapons, that they know the bush, and that they don't take the sorts of risks or make the bad decisions that lead to loss of life.

For the most part, this is probably true. But true or not, it remains a dangerous mindset, one that allows complacency to set in, complacency which can potentially cause a fatal mistake.

Mr Vanderley's death is obviously awful - but perhaps this tragedy can serve as a reminder to hunters of the power they wield when they're out in the bush, and the need to keep themselves and their friends safe.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz