People hunting illegally on public land will be prosecuted, the Department of Conservation says.
Because it was the start of the "roar", deer hunting season, hunters were being reminded it was illegal to spotlight on public conservation land.
"Spotlighting in these public areas is highly reckless and irresponsible," Doc Coastal Otago area manager, Robin Thomas, said.
Doc would be working with police and be on alert for people hunting unlawfully.
"Hunting after dark is strictly prohibited on public conservation land because it poses a risk to other people."
• In May, three Hamilton men were fined $2500 for breaching their permits by hunting after dark on the night Rosemary Ives was fatally shot at a Doc camping ground near Turangi by hunter Andrew Mears, who received a jail sentence for manslaughter.
• A Wanaka man was sentenced to 60 hours' community service and had his firearm forfeited for hunting without a permit in the Abel Tasman Park.
He had hunted at night near the Totaranui camping ground.
"We've had reports in the past from campers of hearing shots at night near their tent or lights seen."
With Easter and the school holidays coming up, more people would be camping in conservation areas, so heightened public awareness was needed by anyone using firearms.
Firearms and other equipment used to commit hunting offences could be seized from anyone found hunting unlawfully and could be forfeited by courts upon conviction. They also risk losing their firearms licence.
A Doc hunting permit was required to hunt on public conservation land. Anyone who saw illegal hunting activity should contact police, immediately if possible.
