Positive target identification essential

The tragic death of an 18-year-old hunter near Tarawera on Saturday highlights the need for hunters to positively identify their target before firing, says New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Firearms and Hunter Training Programme Manager Mike Spray.



“In the past four years there have been two deer hunter deaths where hunters have assumed a shape, colour, movement or sound was a deer rather than consider the possibility it was a human – then firing before positive target identification had been confirmed.



“All hunters need to remember the seven basic rules of firearms safety in particular ‘Identify your target beyond all doubt’,” he said.



Mr Spray says “Hunters must always positively identify their target before firing – if in doubt, don’t shoot. You should never fire at shape, colour, movement or sound.



“Plus, always ask yourself ‘Is this a person?’. That step helps to focus your mind towards expecting to see a person, rather than assuming it is an animal.



“Wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the environment including deer can assist hunters in being seen by other hunters. However, ultimately the responsibility of target identification lies in the hands of the shooter,” he said.



Mr Spray emphasises the need for hunters who lose visual contact with a hunting companion to cease hunting immediately until visual contact has been regained and confirmed.



Mr Spray urges hunters to take special care this roar.



More information on firearms and outdoor safety can be found on the Mountain Safety Council’s website www.mountainsafety.org.nz.