Police are reiterating their firearm safety messages after a 17-year-old was shot and injured by a hunting mate on a Southland farm in the early yesterday morning.
The teen and his companions were spotlighting for deer with a vehicle on a property near Orepuki when he was shot, Detective Dougall Henderson said.
He was taken to Southland Hospital and was in a stable condition following surgery.
The members of the hunting group were helping police with inquiries.
Mr Henderson said the shooting served as a timely reminder for hunters to follow the seven basic rules of firearm safety.
* Treat every firearm as loaded
* Always point firearms in a safe direction
* Load a firearm only when ready to fire
* Identify your target beyond all doubt
* Check your firing zone
* Store firearms and ammunition safely
* Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.
Three hunters have died in accidents in the past year, with 12 deaths in the past decade.
