Fish & Game New Zealand has been quick to clarify the rules around duck hunting, as enquiries are ongoing as to how two women were shot and wounded while walking along the banks of the Clutha River before midday on Sunday. 

Police updated The Central App on Tuesday and say the victims are working with Police in identifying the shooters.

"Police are making enquiries and are continuing to work with the victims to identify the people who fired the shotgun," a Police spokesperson says.

Fish & Game Officer Bruce Quirey says the responsibility lies with the firearms user and urged the hunters to come forward. 

“We have very few details about the location and circumstances of the incident,” Bruce says. 

“One of the seven basic rules was broken here. We don’t know if the women inadvertently walked into the firing zone or if the hunters were not aware they were in the background. 

“Either way it’s the firearms user who is ultimately responsible and so it’s a matter for the Police to follow up in the first instance.

“Two women were harmed in an unfortunate accident. 

“We encourage the hunters to come forward as soon as possible so we can all learn more about the circumstances and what we can do to avoid such incidents in future.”

Queenstown Police Detective Sergeant Paul Slater says Police would like to speak to the group of men involved in the duck shooting incident on Sunday morning. 

At around 11am the two women walking along a track by the Clutha River in Alexandra sustained minor shotgun pellet injuries. 

One was injured in the lower leg and the other in the shoulder. 

According to section 5.3 of Fish & Game’s 2021 Game Bird Hunting regulations (page 45), “Shooting from a boat is prohibited on the Clutha River from 1 May to 9 May 2021.” 

Bruce says the circumstances of which the shooters were hunting from a boat are being investigated for breach of regulations. 

He says it “is legal to hunt from a boat if it is tethered or moored (usually in the form of a camouflaged rowboat tied up under willows)”. 

“Duck hunting from a moored boat is permitted on the Clutha River,” he says. “However, it is a breach of the regulations to hunt from a drifting boat on opening weekend, or a boat under power at any time of the season. 

“When the Police have more information we will be better able to comment.” 

It is unclear as to if the duck hunters were shooting from a drifting, moving or moored boat when the women were shot. 

Bruce says rivers and wetlands throughout Otago are common places for duck hunting activity, especially on opening weekend. 

“That has been the case for over 100 years,” Bruce says. “Unfortunately, encroachment of dwellings, tracks and cycle trails alongside these same areas does have the potential to put higher densities of people into closer proximity to traditional hunting areas.”

Vincent Community Board Member Russell Garbutt posted on Facebook to discuss the topic of shooters from boats on the Clutha River, which he spotted himself over the weekend. 

Vincent Community Board Member Russell Garbutt says he witnessed hunters in jet boats along the Clutha River over the same weekend in which two women were shot while walking. Image: Russell Garbutt/Facebook. 

“Along with many others on a perfect Central day I went on a bike ride and part of that was going down the track to Doctor's Point,” Russell wrote on the Central Otago in General Facebook page. 

“I was surprised to see three jet boats going down the river and shooting ducks from the boats.  

“Around the middle of the day. Lots and lots of people on bikes and walking on the track.  

“I don't go duck shooting, but did wonder at the rules round whether its ok to have guys sitting in the back seat of a boat shooting while travelling in a boat.”