A 21-year-old man is recovering in Whakatane Hospital after being accidentally shot across his back by one of his hunting party.
Max Verschuuren was shot in the Nukuhou area, south of Whakatane, at about 9.30pm on Saturday night while recovering a deer carcass with another member of his party, say police.
The 21-year-old was shot accidentally on Saturday night. Photo: File.
Initial enquiries suggest that one of their party mistook the victim for a deer and fired his rifle, striking the victim's shoulder blade.
A message on the Max's Facebook page from the following day says: 'Went out spotlighting last night. And sum how I got mistaken for a deer and I got shot in the back by a 270.
'I am lucky to be alive. So just remember all you hunters out there - identify your target, know your surroundings and wear your high viz. And keep safe.”
A later message reads: 'Thanks everyone that wished me a speedy recovery and to get well soon. As I was eating my hospital breaky about four doctors came in and showed me photos of the wound after it had been cleaned etc.
'They said I am a very lucky man to be alive and also said go by a lotto ticket.”
Police are currently investigating the incident.
The incident is a reminder to all hunters about the importance of following the seven cardinal rules of the Arms Code, and also a reminder that no hunting trophy is worth having to live with the consequences of killing a mate.
All hunters are reminded to familiarise themselves with the following Arms Code rules.
Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded
Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction
Rule 3: Load a firearm only when ready to fire
Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt
Rule 5: Check your firing zone
Rule 6: Store firearms and ammunition safely
Rule 7: Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms
Not following this basic advice could lead to the loss of a firearms licence and criminal charges.
Even worse, a failure to adhere to the rules could result in living with the knowledge that you killed or seriously injured a friend or fellow hunter.
2 comments
Okataina hunting encounter during Easter
Posted on 13-04-2015 13:35 | By nyree
Does anyone know what hunters would have been hunting in Okataina over Easter? The lake looked a bit rough for a kayak, so I went on a bushwalk around the crater and about 1.5hrs into the walk I seemed to be surrounded by myriads of rifle shots- it was actually very scary as it was hard to pinpoint the location of the hunters, but there were well over 100 shots when I started to head back. No-one else was around and I kept thinking it seemed odd as it was not duck shooting season- would they have been hunting deer or wallabies or something else? Gun shot was certainly was an unexpected sound in those otherwise peaceful realms...
When will they learn??
Posted on 13-04-2015 14:42 | By Kenworthlogger
Another example of a hunter shooting at movement or sound instead of identifying their target first. Take their licenses!!!
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