Media release from Taranaki Fish & Game

Fish & Game: hunter penalty ten times hunting licence fee

Taranaki Fish & Game Council has welcomed the sentence handed down in the Hawera District Court for hunting without a game bird licence.

The Hawera District Court was told (June 18) that Stratford resident Daniel Buckton was caught by Fish & Game rangers hunting without a licence over the opening weekend of the  game bird hunting season in May. Buckton had been shooting on private property with permission of the land owner at the time.

Buckton pleaded guilty but his lawyer explained that his client was unsure of the rules concerning licences, and that as he had the landowner’s permission to hunt on the property, he believed that was all he needed.

The lawyer also told the court that as a member of a local pistol club, a conviction might have repercussions on his client’s ability to travel abroad and compete internationally. He asked the judge to consider an application to discharge his client without conviction, but this was dismissed as there was insufficient evidence or information to support the bid.   

In summing up, Judge Courtney acknowledged that there was some “misapprehension” on Buckton’s part, and that this was not simple case of someone avoiding the purchase of a licence.

The judge did not order forfeiture of the gun used in the offence, as Fish & Game had requested, but found Buckton guilty of the charge and fined him $400.

Buckton was also ordered to pay court costs of $132 and prosecution costs of $300. 

Taranaki Fish & Game Manager Daren Smith says the Taranaki Fish & Game Council does not operate any reparation or divergence system. It is Council policy to prosecute anyone caught hunting game birds, or fishing for sports fish without a licence.

“It means at least one day in court.  For those convicted it means a criminal record, heavy fines, court costs, prosecution costs, defence costs – and may also result in the loss of expensive hunting and fishing equipment. 

He added that anyone who considers taking the risk of not buying a licence should do the maths first.

“It’s simply not worth it and the result today makes it perfectly clear - If you want to hunt, check the rules and get a licence or pay the price. In this case Mr Buckton paid nearly 10 times the price of an adult whole season licence and now has a criminal record. It’s really just not worth it.”

ENDS

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