Load a firearm only when ready to fire. Photo / File
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has reminded hunters to load firearms only when ready to fire, to unload them when they have no game to fire at and always to point them in a safe direction.
The warning comes after two hunting tragedies last month.
A 15-year-old duck hunter,
James Ross Bucko Johnston, died on May 10 after his firearm discharged in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Later that same day, Joshua Hunter Hill, an aircraftman in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, accidentally shot himself while deer hunting with friends.
It is believed Mr Hill was carrying his firearm while crossing a fence and it discharged, hitting him in the chest.
