A Department of Conservation worker from Wellington, who was camping with his young family at a campsite in Canvastown at the weekend, was woken by a group of spotlighting hunters firing a shotgun near his tent.
DOC Sounds area manager Roy Grose said the department received a complaint from a family with two young children staying at the Butchers Flat campsite on Wakamarina Rd.
It happened the same weekend as teacher Rosemary Ives, 25, was shot dead by a hunter near Turangi while brushing her teeth at a campsite.
Mr Grose said the family at Canvastown were woken about 1.30am on Saturday by a gunshot not far from their campsite.
A vehicle drove into the camp and one of the people in it apologised, before it drove on and another 23 shots were fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, Mr Grose said.
Other people were also camped in the area at the time.
Mr Grose did not know what the hunters were shooting at, but said their actions were illegal, "downright dangerous and inconsiderate".
DOC received reports of spotlight shooting from time to time and he said spotlighting was becoming a problem.
"They seem to think they can do it wherever they like," he said.
Senior Constable Maurice Horne, of Havelock, said the shot was fired about 150 metres from the family.
Police had not been given a description of the car or number plate but were still making inquiries, he said.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said the Marlborough incident was one of three involving spotlighting hunters shooting near other people at the weekend. The third incident was in the Wairarapa, where no-one was hurt.
Meanwhile, the father of the teacher shot dead by a hunter says the calls he has received have made him proud but sorry his daughter will no longer be able to share her unique personality with others.
Rosemary Ives was be farewelled on Rabbit Island, Nelson, today after she was shot by a hunter while brushing her teeth on a tramping trip near Turangi.
Malcolm Ives said yesterday the greatest tragedy was that his daughter could no longer share her kindness and passion with her students.
"Her feelings for the environment are matched perfectly with a similar feel for humanity and love for one another and care and concern and compassion for family in particular and, of course, she had a passion for her students.SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express
No comments:
Post a Comment