Haast Constable Robin Manera has taken a potshot at the alcohol-fuelled behaviour of some trigger-happy hunters in South Westland.
Charges are pending against two Oamaru men after they crashed their car on Jacksons Bay Rd during a late-night hunting trip last week, Const Manera said.
Recently, there had been a number of firearm-related incidents in the area, which included cattle being shot in the Haast Valley and an occupied campervan being shot at near Paringa, Const Manera said.
"The incidents had occurred at night when the alleged offenders have been spot-lighting from vehicles along [State Highway 6]," he said.
The stag-hunting "roar" season was in full swing and many more hunters were expected to travel to South Westland during the next month, Const Manera said.
The majority of hunters were "genuine and responsible" and welcome, although a "careless minority" were spoiling things for others, he said.
Anyone caught breaching firearm regulations would have their guns confiscated and could expect to have their firearm licence revoked, Const Manera warned.
