Police are warning against unlawful hunting after a group was disturbed on a sheep station in Central Otago.
Senior Constable Darren Cox, of Omakau, said the group of men was disturbed hunting unlawfully on a sheep station in Matakanui on December 9.
As police are still investigating, no charges have been laid yet.
He said the group was discovered by a fencer working on the sheep station with a number of other fencing staff.
The landowner had not known the group was on his property.
As well as the fencers working, the farmer also had a pest controller working in the same vicinity.
Police were very concerned about the offending as it was extremely dangerous, Snr Const Cox said.
"Unlawful hunting puts other people who may be in the area at risk and could have potentially fatal consequences."
It also carried a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
All hunting related items including firearms, knives, dogs, GPS units, and vehicles could also be seized.
There had been several incidents of unlawful hunting and poaching in Central Otago in recent months and police took these matters "extremely seriously", he said.
He urged all landowners and station managers to call police immediately if they discovered people unlawfully on their land.
"They can be assured appropriate action will be taken against anyone carrying out this type of offending."
Hunters must obtain permission from the landowner or permits from the Department of Conservation.
