Hunters need to follow 'pretty basic' gun rules

With the Roar approaching and ducking shooting in May, hunters need to heed the "pretty basic" fundamentals of safety says New Zealand Deerstalker's Association president Bill O'Leary.

The rules are:

*Get a firearms licence
*Get permission to access and hunt on land
*Communicate your presence to other hunters
*Understand and observe the basic rules of firearm safety

Mr O'Leary said while there has been focus on the 'failure to identify' incidents, "most incidents are the result of failure to observe basic rules such as always pointing the firearm in a safe direction".

The Hunter Safety Committee's analysis of incidents has highlighted unlicensed shooters and illegal hunting as red flags. Spotlighting has also featured too frequently in shooting incidents, Mr O'Leary said.

"Experienced shooters are not exempt from making mistakes. Bad habits, complacency and deteriorated eyesight have been linked to past incidents.

"Each and every hunter needs to look hard at their own and their mates' attitudes and conduct and ensure that safety is the most basic of considerations when hunting."

Mr O'Leary said in the past decade the number of firearm license applicants has more than doubled and this has increased hunter numbers.

The Hunter Safety Inter-agency Committee promotes safe firearm usage and draws its members from NZ Police, Department of Conservation, New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association, Fish and Game NZ, New Zealand Pig Hunters' Association and Firearm Safety Specialists NZ.