Landowners fear shooting tragedy

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 3

Landowners fear shooting tragedy

By

BARRY CLARKE

The owners of Flock Hill station, near Darfield, say tragedy is inevitable if recreational shooters continue to trespass on their land. Hamish and Philippa Innes are angry that increasing numbers of deer and pig hunters are illegally roaming the 14,400 ha sheep station. They fear somebody will be accidentally shot. They also say livestock has been killed and huts

and have asked the Darfield police to investigate. “We’ve had enough. We’re totally fed up,” Mr Innes said yesterday. “Last Monday I was mustering and these two guys and their dogs were hunting in the same area. It’s not on. I had a word to them and they left. “Sheep have been attacked. Whether it’s been by pigs or dogs, I don’t know. “I always carry a rifle in the truck now. If I see dogs on the

property that I know don’t belong to anyone in the district, that’ll be it.” Constable Philip Lynch, of Darfield, has warned three trespassers in recent weeks. Stronger action was likely if the poaching did not abate, he said. Mr Innes said people were allowed to shoot on the property if they asked for permission, but trespassers might ruin the situation for everyone. “We know where the ones with permjssion are on the station and

there’s normally no problem. But these other guys are popping up out of the blue.

“They’re even jet-boating up the Waimak to get into the property.

“There are possible health problems because of their dogs — hydatids, distemper, that sort of thing. “We’ve also got a lodge here. You can’t have people walking around if there are others out there with high-powered rifles.”