Third deer hunter shot dead

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Another man has been accidentally shot dead while deer hunting in the central North Island - the third hunter to be killed in the bush in less than three weeks.

The latest victim, a Taupo man in his late 40s, was shot yesterday by another hunter about 20km east of Turangi, on the edge of the Kaimanawa Forest Park.

The two young sons of the dead man were still missing in the park last night.

Senior Sergeant Kevin Taylor from Taupo said the two boys, aged 10 and 13, were not believed to have been with their father when he was shot.

The man who fired the rifle did not know the victim and immediately raised the alarm by calling police on his cellphone about 1pm.

Police flew to the thick bush on the Tranz Rail rescue helicopter and retrieved the body late yesterday afternoon.

Two other deer hunters have been accidentally shot dead in the central North Island in the past three weeks.

Peter McIntyre, 52, of Mangawhai, died hunting in the Ureweras on April 3 and National Park resident Hamish Harland, 26, was killed in Tongariro National Park 10 days ago.

Mr Taylor said yesterday's shooting further highlighted the need for hunters to take extreme care in the bush.

"You've got people who are completely unaware of others in the area," he said. "They are ending up becoming the hunted rather than the hunter.

"The need to identify the target before pulling the trigger cannot be overemphasised."

Dave Comber, spokesman for the Taupo branch of the Deerstalkers' Association, said yesterday that he was shocked to hear of a third fatality.

"There is no excuse for shooting anybody."

Mr Comber said hundreds of people were at present hunting red and sika deer in the mountain ranges surrounding Lake Taupo because the roar (mating season) began this month.

"Because the antlers are full and hard, this is the time of year people look for trophies, so a lot of hunters are in the hills at the moment.

"You usually get one or two [shooting accidents] across the country each year but to get three in the period of three weeks just in this area here is unbelievable."

Mr Comber urged all deer hunters to wear orange camouflaged clothing to avoid being shot in the bush.

"The deer don't actually see in the orange spectrum of light so they don't recognise it whereas a human being sees it very brightly," he said said.

"You can wear that colour and not harm your chances of getting a deer."

Safety tips

* Be visible: wear bright clothing. Orange camouflage is best because deer cannot detect that colour.

* Know where your companions are: agree what areas you will hunt in and stick to them.

* Identify your target: be sure you are aiming at a deer before you shoot.