Oamaru community constable Bruce Dow is preparing to take aim at anyone in Otago who violates the rules around duck-shooting season, which starts this weekend.
The Otago season opens on Saturday at 7am and will last for about three months, but hunting for mallard and paradise shelducks has to stop on August 28.
Const Dow wants every shooter in Otago to make sure they are well versed in the rules for duck-shooting and the Firearms Act.
He also encouraged them to take care of their fellow shooters.
‘‘We don't want anyone in Otago to be involved in any duck-shooting incident.''
He reminded shooters to make sure their rifles were safe and empty before changing locations.
‘‘We don't want anyone shot in Otago.''
Const Dow also wanted to remind duck-shooters not to mix alcohol with guns.
They should also make sure guns were locked in cabinets in their secure locations and not left in cars as the owners drank in licensed premises.
Fish and Game Council operations manager Ian Hadland encouraged shooters to stick to the rules or face costly penalties.
Penalties including imprisonment for violating catch limits and the shooting of protected species, he said.
‘‘If you shoot a protected species by accident or on purpose, if you kill, it can be fairly costly: $10,000 fine and $500 for every head of game, maximum.''
