Hunting season is approaching, and it is important hunters keep themselves and others safe, says Acting Superintendent Mike McIlraith of New Zealand Police.
There's a significant increase in the number of hunting-related incidents and Search and Rescue operations at this time each year, with target misidentification the biggest cause of fatalities.
McIlraith says the responsibility is always on the shooter to positively identify their target.
"The consequences of failing to fully identify a target beyond all doubt are immediate, tragic and catastrophic."
Chief executive officer of Mountain Safety Council Mike Daisley says the Mountain Safety Council's insights into hunting season shows that 92 per cent of misidentified target incidents occur when the individuals involved are less than 75m apart.