PRESS RELEASE

15 April 2009

Deer Hunting Accident Should Act As Warning

A tragic deer hunting incident has left a 22 year old Taihape man with a serious arm injury. This incident once again highlights the need for hunters to positively identify their target before pulling the trigger. This is the message from Mike Spray, Firearms and Hunter Training Programme Manager for the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.

There have been three deer hunter deaths in the past three years, all as a result of hunters assuming that what they have seen or heard is a deer. The hunters have fired before positively identifying their target resulting in the death of another hunter. 

Mr Spray says “If you lose sight of your mate stop hunting until visual contact is regained and confirmed. Following this rule could have prevented the incident from happening”.

Mr Spray highlights that research shows that in two thirds of all deer hunting deaths since 1979 the hunter had been shot by another member of their own hunting party.  In half of these cases the shooter was aware that his mate was in the area.

Identifying the target beyond all doubt is one of the seven basic rules of safe firearms handling and should be second nature to all hunters. Hunters should sight the head, neck and shoulder of the animal all at the same time, or at least enough of the animal to confirm target identification, says Mr Spray. Getting this wrong can have tragic consequences.

Wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the environment, including deer, can help hunters be seen by other hunters.  However, ultimately the responsibility of target identification lies in the hands of the shooter.

Mr Spray urges hunters to take special care for the remainder of the roar.

ENDS