Hunter safety is critical when using firearms. Find the information you need to stay safe while hunting.

Not sure? Then don’t shoot.

When hunting this Roar always identify your target beyond all doubt. If there’s any doubt – don’t shoot.

It’s easy to get excited when you think you have sighted a deer but don’t let that lead to poor decision-making. Whether you are using optical or thermal imaging devices, you must follow Firearms Safety Rule 4 and identify your target beyond all doubt before firing. Good hunters will always check twice.

Remember

  • Slow down, take a few breaths, and take a closer look at your target.
  • Check your whole firing zone, especially to each side and beyond the target.
  • Never fire at movement only. Moving bushes or trees might be a person.
  • Always identify all the animal before firing. See the whole animal, analyse it, ensure it’s not a hunter carrying an animal.
  • Spotlights and other night vision devices may not clearly illuminate the target. 

Read more on Firearms Safety Rule 4 on pages 15 to 20 of the Firearms Safety Code.

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt.

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with a drone camera zooming across and above the ridge. The scene changes to a close-up of a tree branch and two persons out of focus on the background. The camera focuses in to show us two male hunters walking in the bush towards the camera. The one in front carries a firearm in his hands, pointed down to the ground. The one behind has a small backpack strapped to his chest. Both hunters wear orange safety vests and orange caps.

The camera perspective changes to show us the scene from behind the hunters, who have their backs to the camera. One hunter is carrying a large backpack.

Hunter 1: "This is a nice fresh wallow in here man."

The camera focuses in on the muddy wallow in front of them.

Hunter 1: "I've got heaps of faith something's going to come out of the bush."

The shot changes to show a close up of the two men from the front.

Hunter 1: "I'll get my roar aye?"

Hunter 2: "Yeah, yeah"

Hunter 1 puts a device to his mouth and makes a sound that mimics an animal roar. The camera angle changes to focus on the wallow while the hunter is roaring.

[Roar]

The shot changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. The shot changes back to the wallow from behind the two men.

Hunter 1: "Surely, surely one's gonna come down."

[Roar returned]

The shot changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 has his firearm in his hands, pointing upwards to the sky.

Hunter 1: "Did you hear that? Did you hear it?"

Hunter 2: "Yeah yeah. That's something"

The camera angle changes to filming behind Hunter 1, with the camera focused on the clearing near the wallow.

Hunter 1: "They're thrashing away."

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 brings his firearm up and looks through the scope.

Hunter 2: "That kanuka's moving, I can see movement."
 
At the bottom of the screen, white text appears on a dark green background. It reads: "Take time to analyse your target - Can you see the whole animal? Is it a male or female?"

The camera angle changes to a close up behind Hunter 1 again, with the camera focused on the clearing near the wallow.. What looks like the head of a deer can be seen poking through the kanuka bush.

The camera angle changes slightly to show us the scene from behind the hunters, who have their backs to the camera.

Hunter 2: "I'll take the shot."
 
Hunter 1: "Nah nah nah, can you see him fully?"

The text disappears off the bottom of the screen.

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 has his firearm up and is looking through the scope.

Hunter 2: "Nah."

Hunter 1: "Don't just shoot at movement bro."
 
The camera angle changes back to behind the hunters, who have their backs to the camera.

At the bottom of the screen, white text appears on a dark green background. It reads: "Never fire at sound, shape, colour or movement alone."

The camera angle changes to a close up behind Hunter 1 again, with the camera focused on the clearing near the wallow. What looks like the head of a deer can just be seen through the kanuka bush.

Hunter 1: "Gotta make sure we can clearly identify our target beyond all doubt."
 
The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 still has his firearm up and aimed.

Hunter 2: "He might get away."
  
The camera angle changes to a close up behind Hunter 1 again, with the camera focused on the clearing near the wallow. 

Hunter 1: "Nah nah, don't worry about that. He'll come out. It's not worth it."
 
The text disappears off the bottom of the screen.

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 still has his firearm up and aimed.

Hunter 1: "You don't want to take a shot and regret it for the rest of your life."

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from behind. Hunter 2 still has his firearm up and aimed.

At the bottom of the screen, white text appears on a dark green background. It reads: "Remember that other people could be in your same area."

The camera angle changes to a close up behind the hunters, focused on the kanuka bush.

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 still has his firearm up and is looking through the scope.

The text disappears off the bottom of the screen.

Hunter 1: "He'll come out soon, he'll come out soon. I'll give him another one."

Hunter 1 brings a roar caller to his mouth and blows. 

[Roar]

At the bottom of the screen, white text appears on a dark green background. It reads: "Ask yourself: 'Could this be another hunter?' If in any doubt, do not shoot!"

The camera focuses back on the kanuka bush. Something can be seen moving behind it.

Hunter 2: "Here he comes bro."

Hunter 1: "You good?"

The text disappears off the bottom of the screen.

The scene changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 2 still has his firearm up and is looking through the scope.
 
Hunter 2: "Yeah, I still see movement."

The next shot is looking through a firearm scope, with a cross hair pattern clearly visible in front of the kanuka bush. A man holding a firearm and wearing a beanie slowly emerges from behind the bush.

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front.

Hunter 1: "Shit stop! Oi mate! What the hell are you doing?

The camera angle changes to a close up behind the hunters, focused on the kanuka bush and the man emerging from it. 

The camera angle changes back to a close up of the two men from the front. Hunter 1 has an annoyed expression and is holding his hand up questioningly.

The next shot focuses on the man who has just emerged from the bush carrying a firearm and a sheepish expression. He is also a hunter but is not wearing any brightly coloured safety clothing. He holds his hand up to wave at the two men. The scene fades to black

The next scene shows the two hunters standing in front of the camera, speaking with the intruding hunter who is off camera to the left. Their firearms are packed away on their backs.

Hunter 1: "What's your excuse? Why the hell are you on our block? 

The camera angle changes to focus on the intruder as he speaks with the hunters. He has his hands in his pockets. The hunters have their backs to the camera.

Intruding hunter: "Sorry mate. I left a message on the cocky's answer phone but, he can't have got it."

The camera angle changes back to the two hunters.

Hunter 1: "Well you're lucky that we're following the rules."

(Green screen fades in over the men. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text in large writing says "Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt." More text appears below that reads: "Take time to analyse your target. Never fire at sound, shape, colour or movement alone. Remember that other people could be in your same area. If in any doubt, do not shoot!"
 
Final screen says: "For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz", Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo, firearmssafetyauthoritynz Facebook logo.

When hunting with others make a good plan

In 80% of hunting incidents the shooter and victim are members of the same hunting group. You can avoid this by planning your hunt and hunting to your plan. If hunting in pairs and you lose sight of each other, or are unsure of your location, stop hunting and reestablish contact and your position before moving on.

Quick Tips:

  • If hunters lose sight of each other in the bush, stop hunting.
  • Never fire when your companions are ahead of you.
  • Don’t shoot at objects on the skyline, you can’t see what is on the other side.
  • Wear blaze if bush hunting.

Video transcript

The transcript for this video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXbvZdJIgnc

Handle your firearms carefully

Rough and challenging terrain makes safe firearms handling even more important. Hunters can trip and fall with their rifles, so stay aware of how you are carrying and handling them. This also applies when dealing with fences or other obstacles. If handing your rifle to someone else, or being passed one, always ensure the rifle is unloaded.

Quick Tips:

  • Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
  • Minimise risk by having a cartridge chambered only when necessary.
  • Never attempt to cross a fence with a loaded firearm.

The Firearms Safety Code has detailed information about safe handling of firearms. You can find relevant information in Sections 5 and 7.

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded. 

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. A red ute is driving through water, and parks outside a hutt. Two men exit the car and talk to each other.

Hunter 1 gestures towards the bush.

Hunter# 1 "We picked the weather for it mate!"

Hunter #2 "Not too bad"

Hunter #1 "It's a real good spot. There'll be 
some animals out here for sure."

Hunter #2 "Yeah surely aye. Gotta be"

Hunter #1 "We'll get you onto one. 
Let's get these guns out."

Hunter 1 and 2 walk back to the boot of the ute to unload.

Hunter #1 "Where'd you put the guns?"

The ute of the car shows backpacks and jackets.

Hunter #2 "It's one of these new rules.
You've got to keep them all covered up."

Hunter #1 "True?"

Hunter #1 "Let's get these sorted first.

Both men take a locked case each out of the car and lay them on the ground.

Hunter 1 unlocks his case and lifts his firearm out of the case to demonstrate that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Sweet bro I'll just prove 
to you that mine's unloaded."

Hunter #2 "Yep, clear."

Hunter #1 "Choice. Show me yours?

Hunter 2 lifts his firearm out of his case and shows Hunter #1 that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Yeah nice mate."

Let's just start off with bolts in nothing in the chamber and empty mags on aye?"

Hunter #2 "Yep, righto."

Both men proceed to put their firearms over their shoulders.

Next shot shows the bush before returning to both men in the frame talking to each other.

Hunter #1 "You all good"

Hunter #2 "Yeah mate, sorted." 

Hunter #1 "Grab the rest of our gear aye?

Reckon we got everything?"

I've got a PLB, head lamp, jacket, ammo ....

Hunter #2 "Ammo!"

Hunter #2 walks towards the ute to retrieve the ammo.

Hunter #1 "Sweet! Lucky we checked."

Hunter #2 opens the car door, takes his firearm off his shoulder, rests it against the vehicle, leans into the vehicle to get the ammunition from the glove box with his left hand, and puts his right hand over the muzzle.

Hunter #1 "Woah Nick. Watch that hand over the muzzle man,
remember the first rule, treat every firearm as loaded."

Hunter #2 closes the car door, and lifts his firearm strap over his shoulder.

Hunter #2 "Mate, we just cleared it over there just before, like two minutes ago."

Hunter #1 "Yeah we did clear it but it's a bad habit to get into. You never know when it's going to bite ya."

Hunter #2 "Yeah, fair play."

Hunter #1 "Sweet. No worries. Let's go."

Both men walk away from the ute, towards the bush.

Text appears over the men slowly walking towards the bush. Text says:

Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded.

Always carry out safety precautions and check every firearm yourself. Never point a firearm at yourself or any other person.

End screen is green and the text says

For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Facebook icon firearmssafetyauthoritynz. Te Tari Pūreke logo, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority.

Fades out.

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction.

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. Two men are walking into the bush. One man kneels down and gestures to the other man to come and have a look. Both men are kneeling down. On the ground there are fresh droppings.  One man touches the droppings to see if they are warm.

Hunter 1: "Hey Nick. 

Some pretty fresh sign here."

Nick: "Yeah yeah"

"We're in the hunting area now so probably a good time to go into the load state."

Nick: "OK. Should I put one in the chamber as well?"

Hunter 1:"Oh I wouldn't put one in the chamber just yet."

Nick: "OK."

Hunter 1: "You'll have first shot. 
I'll stay in the unload."
 
Nick: "OK. Cheers for that."
 
Both men stand up. Nick takes his firearm out from over his shoulder to put it into the load state. 

Nick: "How's this for safe direction?"
 
Hunter 1 gestures to the side, into a bank.

Hunter 1: "I reckon your better option is probably into the bank here. Out that way you don't know where the bullet is going to go." 

Camera pans into the bank, back to Nick's firearm as he prepares to load a bullet into the chamber of the rifle.

Nick: "Yep."

Hunter 1: "All good?"

Nick:"Yeah mate.

Hunter 1:  "I'll let you go in front.Remember to keep your muzzle pointing in a safe direction."

Both men walk towards the hunting area

Green screen pans over the men. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction. A safe direction will depend on your environment and requires constant assessment. Use an area that will absorb the projectile - not a hard surface.

Final screen says for more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz, Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo, firearmssafetyauthoritynz Facebook logo.

Be prepared

Remember to look after the safety of yourself, your mates and other outdoor users, and always be well prepared for each hunt – especially during roar and duck hunting season.

Before you go: 

  • Check the weather forecast before you make your plans. Be aware of any rain and snow that could lead to a rise in river levels, and plan accordingly
  • Make sure everyone has the right clothing, food and equipment for all possible conditions
  • Consider the experience and fitness of everyone in your group when planning your trip
  • Know where you are going. Make sure you carry a map and know how to read it
  • Carry an emergency communication device such as a distress beacon or satellite phone.

Let your friends and whānau know where you are going and the details of your trip before you leave. You can use PlanMyWalk.NZ to build a trip plan and share it with others. 

Find out how to get and register a beacon at beacons.org.nz

Keep your ducks in a row

This duck season have a plan to help keep everyone safe. The maimai is full of friends, family and maybe even the dog. Keeping yourself, and everyone in this group safe takes just a few simple steps. We recommend having someone take charge of safety. Then agree on the plan, so everyone knows what to do before the first ducks arrive.

It’s a good time to remember some simple safety tips for the maimai:

  • Remember to always handle firearms safely.
  • Be aware of where your companions and others are located.
  • Wear hearing protection.
  • Save the drinks till after the hunt.

Read more on safety in a maimai on page 85 in the Firearms Safety Code.

Make a plan for the maimai

The maimai can be a hive of activity.
Always be aware of where your companions are and agree in advance your safe firing zones.
If there are too many shooters for the maimai, agree to take turns, and always make a plan before the ducks start landing.

Quick Tips:

  • Shotguns must always be pointing in a safe direction.
  • Agree at the start of the day on the zone each shooter will cover and keep to this plan all day.
  • Shotguns that are not in use should be in a firearm holder/rest, unloaded, with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction.

Read more on page 85 of the Firearms Safety Code.

Treat every shotgun as loaded

Treat every shotgun in and out of the maimai as if it is loaded – no matter how sure you are that
it’s not. That means keeping the muzzle pointing away from yourself and other people, finger off the trigger, and having control of the shotgun at all times.

Quick Tips:

  • Treat your shotgun as if it is always loaded.
  • Do not take anyone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded –
    always check.
  • Never lean your shotguns where they could slide or be knocked
    over.

Read more on pages 6-7 of the Firearms Safety Code

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded. 

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. A red ute is driving through water, and parks outside a hutt. Two men exit the car and talk to each other.

Hunter 1 gestures towards the bush.

Hunter# 1 "We picked the weather for it mate!"

Hunter #2 "Not too bad"

Hunter #1 "It's a real good spot. There'll be 
some animals out here for sure."

Hunter #2 "Yeah surely aye. Gotta be"

Hunter #1 "We'll get you onto one. 
Let's get these guns out."

Hunter 1 and 2 walk back to the boot of the ute to unload.

Hunter #1 "Where'd you put the guns?"

The ute of the car shows backpacks and jackets.

Hunter #2 "It's one of these new rules.
You've got to keep them all covered up."

Hunter #1 "True?"

Hunter #1 "Let's get these sorted first.

Both men take a locked case each out of the car and lay them on the ground.

Hunter 1 unlocks his case and lifts his firearm out of the case to demonstrate that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Sweet bro I'll just prove 
to you that mine's unloaded."

Hunter #2 "Yep, clear."

Hunter #1 "Choice. Show me yours?

Hunter 2 lifts his firearm out of his case and shows Hunter #1 that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Yeah nice mate."

Let's just start off with bolts in nothing in the chamber and empty mags on aye?"

Hunter #2 "Yep, righto."

Both men proceed to put their firearms over their shoulders.

Next shot shows the bush before returning to both men in the frame talking to each other.

Hunter #1 "You all good"

Hunter #2 "Yeah mate, sorted." 

Hunter #1 "Grab the rest of our gear aye?

Reckon we got everything?"

I've got a PLB, head lamp, jacket, ammo ....

Hunter #2 "Ammo!"

Hunter #2 walks towards the ute to retrieve the ammo.

Hunter #1 "Sweet! Lucky we checked."

Hunter #2 opens the car door, takes his firearm off his shoulder, rests it against the vehicle, leans into the vehicle to get the ammunition from the glove box with his left hand, and puts his right hand over the muzzle.

Hunter #1 "Woah Nick. Watch that hand over the muzzle man,
remember the first rule, treat every firearm as loaded."

Hunter #2 closes the car door, and lifts his firearm strap over his shoulder.

Hunter #2 "Mate, we just cleared it over there just before, like two minutes ago."

Hunter #1 "Yeah we did clear it but it's a bad habit to get into. You never know when it's going to bite ya."

Hunter #2 "Yeah, fair play."

Hunter #1 "Sweet. No worries. Let's go."

Both men walk away from the ute, towards the bush.

Text appears over the men slowly walking towards the bush. Text says:

Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded.

Always carry out safety precautions and check every firearm yourself. Never point a firearm at yourself or any other person.

End screen is green and the text says

For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Facebook icon firearmssafetyauthoritynz. Te Tari Pūreke logo, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority.

Fades out.

Save any drinks for after the shoot

Opening day can be a great opportunity for people to get together, but alcohol and firearms don’t mix!
When people drink, their reflexes, judgement, and balance can become impaired. This can lead to accidents. So, stay sharp. Keep the drinks on ice until the shoot is over and you’ve safely locked your guns away.

Quick Tips:

  • Do not drink alcohol before or while using your firearms.
  • Do not shoot with anyone else who is, or has been, drinking.
  • Gears before beers – safely lock your firearms away before going for a drink.

Read more on page 28 of the Firearms Safety Code.

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 7: Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. A hunter is seen outside a cabin with a chilly bin. He opens the chilly bin, reaches in and pulls out two bottles of beer. He goes to hand it to the other hunter who is standing up and holding his firearm case.

Hunter 1: "Hey mate, want a cold one?"

Hunter 2: "Ooh, gears before beers lad. Alcohol and firearms don't mix."

Behind the second hunter is a headless deer carcass.

Hunter 1 withdraws the second beer on offer, embarassed and goes to put both beer bottles back in the chilly bin. 

Hunter 1: "Nah all good."

Hunter 2: "We'll lock these guns away inside and then crack a cold one after that."

Hunter 1: "Yeah yeah. Good mate."

Hunter 1 picks up the other firearms case. On the bottom of the screen, a bottom banner appears with the words There is no safe amount of alcohol you can consume and then handle a firearm safely. Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo.

Next screen shows Hunter 2 unlock a cabinet, and puts his ammunition in it before locking it again. The screen after that shows two firearms being locked in a case.

The magazine and the bolt are seen being locked in a seperate locked compartment. The bottom screen says "Wait until all firearms and ammunition have been safely locked before away before alcohol. Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo.

The next screen shows three split camera angles, one showing a cupboard being locked, one showing a draw open and closed with a key placed inside, and one showing a key being place above a cupboard to keep it out of site.

Two men are then on the couch drinking beers. Behind them are two deer heads.

Hunter 1: "Hey mate that was a really good hunt, thanks very much for showing me the ropes."
Hunter 2: "No all good man next time we'll go out get one of these eh."

Gestures to the deer heads behind him. 

Hunter 2: "Yeah choice!"

Two men raise their bottles together. Next slide is the camera panning away with a green screen over top. Text says: "Rule 7: Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms. Wait until all firearms and ammunition have been safely locked away before alcohol. Do not shoot with others who are, or have been, drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Check with your doctor whether prescribed medications will affect your safety with firearms."

End screen is white with a border on the top and bottom and the text says:

"For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Facebook icon firearmssafetyauthoritynz. Te Tari Pūreke logo, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority."

Fades out.

Last updated
12 March 2026

 

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