Hunters jailed for shooting accidents

4.30pm

Two hunters who shot and killed two other hunters in separate accidents have both been jailed for nine months.

Christopher Martin Davies, 24, of Hamilton, and David Webster Alker, 46, of Owhango, who have admitted carelessly using a firearm causing death, were sentenced in the Taupo District Court today.

Davies was hunting in the Kaimanawa Ranges on Easter Sunday when he mistook 47-year-old Mark Leathwick for a sika deer and shot him in the head. The bullet went straight through the "blaze orange" cap Mr Leathwick had been wearing specifically to avoid being mistaken for a deer.

After Davies raised the alarm, a search and rescue team tramped through the night to find Mr Leathwick's sons, aged 13 and 10, and tell them why their father had not returned to their campsite.

Nine days earlier, Hamish Harland was shot dead by Alker, a long-time family friend and hunting companion, while both men were hunting near Turangi. Mr Harland was also wearing "blaze orange" across the top half of his bush jacket for protection.

Judge Chris McGuire yesterday also ordered Davies and Alker to pay $5000 each in reparation to the victims' families.

Both men are eligible to apply for home detention.

Davies is likely to appeal his sentence but Alker has ruled out an appeal.

- HERALD STAFF