SHOOTERS URGED TO BE CAREFUL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 20

SHOOTERS URGED TO BE CAREFUL

Early on Saturday, May 8, thousands of New Zealanders will leave their beds, dress in warm and waterproof clothing, load cars and trailers with firearms, boats and other necessities, and set out to shoot dueks. By the time the season ends three weeks later, a lot of ducks will be dead, and so also may be some sportsmen. This comment was made by the secretary of the National Water Safety Committee (Mr S. V. Higgins). Accidents with shotguns caused most injuries and deaths among duck shooters Drowning added to the toll, he said. Many duck shooters did not realise that they encountered many water hazards in a day’s shooting. Obatructed

‘•Duckshooters frequently travel before dawn or after dark along rivers or through swamps in light and unstable

boats. These waterways are sometimes obstructed or overgrown with weeds, or may be flooded. These factors make the handling of small boats all the more difficult and dangerous. "The weather is usually fairly cold during the shooting season: so shooters wear warm and heavy clothing, frequently waterproofs. Some even wear rubber thigh boots. All these make it hard for a man to save himself if he falls into the water. “Although most shooters shoot from prepared stands, some work from camouflaged boats,” said Mr Higgins. “Accidents may then occur through sportsmen becoming excited and falling overboard. The use of a dog for retrieving is also risky when shooting from boats. It is easy to fall out of a boat or overturn it while getting a dog on board.

‘■Wading is another perilous practice. One of the basic principles of water safety—know where you are going—is also important for duckshooters. It is easy to wade into deep water—a hidden hole or flooded drain. If you are wearing heavy clothing and thigh boots, it is not easy to get out. “Water safety is important to duckshooters,” said Mr Higgins. "If a duckshooter is careful, if he handles his boat cautiously, avoids dangerous practices such as shooting or retrieving from boats, and does not wade into unknown waters, he will enjoy his sport and run no great risk.

"For the sake of his fellows resuscitation techniques should be known to every sportsman.” said Mr Higgins. “Every duck shooter should know the expired-air method of resuscitation commonly known as rescue breathing. It is simple and effective, and most suitable for use in a miamia, or a boat,” he said.