Thread: Safety Colours

Originally Posted by Dougie

What do you mean?

Another quote form the MSC PDF....

Changing behaviour
Hunters can minimize the likelihood of shooting, or being shot by, another hunter by modifying a range of behaviours.
These are listed in descending order of the frequency in which the corresponding contributing factor appears in the
incidents analysed (that is, the first is the most common contributing factor). Including bush, navigation, first aid and
camp craft skills, and careful compliance with the New Zealand Arms Code:
1. A hunter must not shoot at shape, sound, movement or colour, including those that belong to a deer,
without confirming that their target is a deer.
2. A wise hunter will wear clothing that contrasts with the environment, including deer in that environment.
3. When hunting together with a companion, cease hunting if visual contact with that companion is lost, and
do not resume hunting until visual contact is made and confirmed.
4. A hunter must develop a self-awareness that enables them to identify buck/stag fever in themselves,
and counteract it with extra care while hunting.
5. Use binocular vision to identify the target; use the scope only to place the shot.
6. Snap shooting is to be avoided unless target identification is complete.
7. If an area is obviously heavily occupied by other hunters consider going hunting elsewhere.
8. Hunters should undergo hunter specific training.
9. Hunters should belong to a club. Club membership is most likely to be the source of training and
peer guidance.
10. Hunters should agree on hunting areas (‘blocks’), with a clearly defined ‘no fire zone’ between areas.
Do not hunt outside the agreed area, including on the way back to camp.
11. If a linear boundary is agreed (for example a ridge line or creek), no shots may be fired toward or over
that boundary line.
12. If it is absolutely necessary for one hunter to knowingly move into another’s area, perhaps because of
an emergency, do not stalk into the area. The hunter should enter in a way that it is obvious they are
not a deer.
13. Do not move into the firing zone or arc of fire of a hunting companion.
14. Sight more than a single small part of the deer and confirm it as the target.
15. Minimise the likelihood of colour similar to that of a deer being visible.
16. Do not shoot when others are known to be in the firing zone.
17. When hunting together with a companion in parallel keep sight of each other,
maintain an arc of fire 180 degrees away from your hunting companion with
a ‘no fire zone’ between shooters, including forward and back.
18. When hunting together with a companion, and taking turns hunting, the non
hunting companion does not resume hunting until mutually agreed.
19. Hunting is not a time to fool around. Do not behave like a deer knowing your
mate is hunting nearby. He may end up hunting you.
20. If carrying a deer carcass cover it in some way so that it is clearly contrasted with
the environment, including deer in that environment.
It is also important to remember that hunters as individuals participating in a precision,
high risk activity should ensure that their general health, including their eyesight, are up
to the requirements of the activity.