Deer Hunting: Identify target before shooting

The deer hunting roar approaches.

Positively identify your target, or it could be your mate you shoot, says Joe Green, Chairman of the Firearms Safety Council Aotearoa New Zealand, as the deer hunting roar approaches.

On average one deer hunter is killed each year when one hunter shoots another. Failure to identify the target is a primary factor says Mr Green.

"Identifying your target beyond all doubt is one of the seven basic rules of safe firearms handling and should be second nature to all hunters. Hunters should sight the head, neck and shoulder of the animal all at the same time, or at least sufficient of the animal to confirm target identification.

"No shooter should ever fire at shape, colour, movement or sound. Beware — under certain circumstances the brain can trick the eyes. Assume any shape, colour, movement or sound is a human until you can prove otherwise," says Mr Green.

Wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the environment, including deer, can help you be seen by other hunters. Ultimately, the responsibility of target identification lies solely with the shooter.

In most of the incidents the shooter and victim were in the same hunting party and they deliberately separated, which began a series of factors leading to tragedy.

"You and your hunting companions should stay together," says Mr Green.

If you do separate, stop hunting until you regain visual contact.

"Take special care during the roar, comply with the seven basic rules of firearms safety, make sure you positively identify your target beyond all doubt and if you are hunting with a companion stay together.