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Gidday team so got a query regarding cycle trails and such.
So hunting away from a cycle trail is there a minimum distance or am i even allowed to? And am I going to run into issues with noise complaints etc? This won't be till the winter time and not many people use it. Shotgun type of firearm in question.
I'm just doing my due diligence regarding the legality of it all and avoiding a world of hurt.
That's a tricky one.
I suppose it is the same as on most doc permits in regards to being 400m or is it 500m away from the track?
Then you also have the cyclists. They may not all like it even if you are playing nice
Here’s a starting point. District Councils, Unitary Authorities may have additional regulations.
Section 48 of the NZ Firearms Act.
48 Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, discharges a firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near a dwellinghouse or a public place so as to—
(a)
endanger property; or
(b)
endanger, annoy, or frighten any person.
Section 48: replaced, on 25 June 2020, by section 75 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
Some of you need to read your permits more thoroughly.
“6. No firearm shall be discharged:
• In the vicinity of huts, tracks, campsites, road-ends or other public places.
• Within 500m of a Great Walk Hut or track. See Great Walks.”
Also applies to specific tracks at specific times of year as per issued permit areas.
I deal with DOC on a near weekly basis and follow above guidelines. No specific distance from majority of tracks.
Cycle trail was put thru local public upland hunting area.
F&G advise is now go elsewhere if at all possible.
Along with the fishout ponds created by F&G
Effective the council closed it by stealth and F&G sat on their hands. You cannot tell me they didnt expect this to happen. Existing users have been shut out for new "trendy cyclists and fishers" i think because their hobbys are far more PC
@mikee. One of the reasons I stopped supporting them a few years ago. Their arsehole stance against farming in general and dairying in particular was another reason.
Well that’s a crock of shite ….”annoy or frighten any person “. Totally subjective & open to abuse/misinterpretation etc. I’m annoyed that they put cycle trails thru Pueroras ….. and cyclists on e-bikes going hell for leather sure are frightening for anyone on foot. Stupid rules, designed to frustrate.
But if you are hunting you have a reasonable excuse to discharge your firearm and you are not doing it to frighten someone.
@stug
This is exactly why I am being super careful.
And I'm tempted to put signs on said cycle trail 500 up and down of where we might be to give the public a heads up.
Thanks for the replies team
As Stug mentions ‘Without reasonable excuse’ is the qualifier and the important part here.Quote:
Originally Posted by chainsaw
The Gladstone Range in Wairarapa is close enough to a public road that a passer-by could easily hear the discharge of firearms. There is also a country pub within earshot where some like to enjoy the serenity.
It could easily be argued that the sound is annoying to those prone to annoyance, or frightening for those prone to fear. But that doesn’t nor should it prevent use of the range.
This is not to negate taking any reasonable precautions to prevent activities becoming an issue, it’s more to point out that while there is some subjectivity involved, at some point the difference becomes clear from being a problem caused by shooting to a problem caused by someone wanting to have a problem.
Just be sensible. The doc maps page shows most areas closed to hunting or shooting. If the trail is in an open hunting area, then use normal safety precautions.
I'm not sure why you'd want to hunt near a cycling trail, I hear they're very stringy and quite bitter.
Maybe he wants a new bike
I'm sure there's a few drivers that wouldn't mind an open season on cyclists. :thumbsup:
Update. So the cycle trail is gazetted Crown land according to WAMS. The shooting area is hydroparcel. Contacting my AO and LINZ today to confirm. Thanks for the replies folks. It's a bit of minefield and all I'm trying to do is just Firstly be safe and legally whilst secondly not attracting ant unwanted attention to myself or mates for having a crack at some ducks. If it's in the to hard basket then so be it.