Central Otago police are urging extra care in the use of firearms after recent incidents in Alexandra.
Earlier this week, police issued a statement reminding users to always apply the seven rules of firearms safety.
"Especially rule 5: check your firing zone."
Senior Constable Graham Perkins said there had been a couple of incidents in the town recently, in which residents had been using firearms near public walking areas and conservation land.
Police later confirmed the incidents were related to pest control and had occurred in August, September and October respectively.
He said the Alexandra landscape had changed ‘‘compared to what it was 10 to 20 years ago".
"We now have houses and lifestyle blocks situated on what were previously larger farms used for recreational hunting or pest control."
The use of firearms has been a talking point in other parts of the region.
Earlier this month, police received a complaint concerning bird-shooting on a Cromwell cherry orchard by a neighbour.
Landowners had to be aware of who was using land alongside their own, Snr Const Perkins said.
"We are not trying to spoil hunters’ fun, we simply want to keep people safe and ensure that recreation is undertaken in the most appropriate place," he said.
A police spokeswoman said they anticipated more people using their firearms recreationally during the holiday period.
