The ongoing issue of poaching across Southland and Otago has been highlighted again in recent court cases in which much heftier fines have been handed out.
Last month, an Oturehua man was sentenced to four months' community detention and 400 hours' community work and ordered to pay $662 reparation as well as having to forfeit to the Crown one of the vehicles he used in the offending.
Central Otago rural liaison officer Constable Toni Velenski said police were working with farmers to ensure poachers were dealt with by the courts and issued with bigger penalties.
An example had been set by the courts when the Oturehua man was convicted for unlawfully hunting, trespass, obstructing the police and unlawful possession of ammunition after being found in the Naseby Forest in May.
''This sentence sets a good example of the new Wild Animal Control Act legislation in action and shows that the public concern about the huge potential for tragedy when people start trespassing and shooting unlawfully on land, has now brought about a firm public view that unlawful hunting is not acceptable,'' Const Velenski said.
Central Otago had many Department of Conservation (Doc) blocks popular with hunters.
Const Velenski said farmers neighbouring these Doc blocks were noticing hunters walking off the blocks and on to private property.
The biggest issue the police faced when it came to charging poachers was that farmers were not reporting the issues, as in the past the consequences had not been as severe.
An anti-poaching scheme had been set up by former detective sergeant Liz Williams and Const Velenski was following on from her work to target poachers and trespassers.
About 105 farmers from across Central Otago were signed up to the scheme. The key message was to remind hunters throughout the southern region to get landowners' permission before going on to their land, Const Velenski said.
When it came to hunting on Doc blocks, hunters needed to carry their permits at all times. If approached by a Doc ranger or police the permit needed to be produced.
Const Velenski encouraged people to contact the police if they saw suspicious activities on private land or Doc blocks.
If farmers are interested in becoming a part of the anti-poaching scheme, they can contact the Alexandra Police Station for an information pack.
- by Nicole Sharp