Don't wing it.

The maimai is full of friends, family and maybe even the dog. Keeping yourself, and everyone in this group safe takes just a few simple steps. We recommend having someone take charge of safety. Then agree on the plan, so everyone knows what to do before the first ducks arrive.

A flock of ducks flying in v formation on a clear blue sky background. The words 'Plan safe, act safe, stay safe' accompany them.

Make a plan for the maimai

The maimai can be a hive of activity.
Always be aware of where your companions are and agree in advance your safe firing zones.
If there are too many shooters for the maimai, agree to take turns, and always make a plan before the ducks start landing.

Quick Tips:

  • Shotguns must always be pointing in a safe direction.
  • Agree at the start of the day on the zone each shooter will cover and keep to this plan all day.
  • Shotguns that are not in use should be in a firearm holder/rest, unloaded, with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction.

Read more on pages 19-21 of the Firearms Safety Code

Treat every shotgun as loaded

Treat every shotgun in and out of the maimai as if it is loaded – no matter how sure you are that
it’s not. That means keeping the muzzle pointing away from yourself and other people, finger off the trigger, and having control of the shotgun at all times.

Quick Tips:

  • Treat your shotgun as if it is always loaded.
  • Do not take anyone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded –
    always check.
  • Never lean your shotguns where they could slide or be knocked
    over.

Read more on pages 6-7 of the Firearms Safety Code

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded. 

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. A red ute is driving through water, and parks outside a hutt. Two men exit the car and talk to each other.

Hunter 1 gestures towards the bush.

Hunter# 1 "We picked the weather for it mate!"

Hunter #2 "Not too bad"

Hunter #1 "It's a real good spot. There'll be 
some animals out here for sure."

Hunter #2 "Yeah surely aye. Gotta be"

Hunter #1 "We'll get you onto one. 
Let's get these guns out."

Hunter 1 and 2 walk back to the boot of the ute to unload.

Hunter #1 "Where'd you put the guns?"

The ute of the car shows backpacks and jackets.

Hunter #2 "It's one of these new rules.
You've got to keep them all covered up."

Hunter #1 "True?"

Hunter #1 "Let's get these sorted first.

Both men take a locked case each out of the car and lay them on the ground.

Hunter 1 unlocks his case and lifts his firearm out of the case to demonstrate that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Sweet bro I'll just prove 
to you that mine's unloaded."

Hunter #2 "Yep, clear."

Hunter #1 "Choice. Show me yours?

Hunter 2 lifts his firearm out of his case and shows Hunter #1 that his firearm is unloaded.

Hunter 1 "Yeah nice mate."

Let's just start off with bolts in nothing in the chamber and empty mags on aye?"

Hunter #2 "Yep, righto."

Both men proceed to put their firearms over their shoulders.

Next shot shows the bush before returning to both men in the frame talking to each other.

Hunter #1 "You all good"

Hunter #2 "Yeah mate, sorted." 

Hunter #1 "Grab the rest of our gear aye?

Reckon we got everything?"

I've got a PLB, head lamp, jacket, ammo ....

Hunter #2 "Ammo!"

Hunter #2 walks towards the ute to retrieve the ammo.

Hunter #1 "Sweet! Lucky we checked."

Hunter #2 opens the car door, takes his firearm off his shoulder, rests it against the vehicle, leans into the vehicle to get the ammunition from the glove box with his left hand, and puts his right hand over the muzzle.

Hunter #1 "Woah Nick. Watch that hand over the muzzle man,
remember the first rule, treat every firearm as loaded."

Hunter #2 closes the car door, and lifts his firearm strap over his shoulder.

Hunter #2 "Mate, we just cleared it over there just before, like two minutes ago."

Hunter #1 "Yeah we did clear it but it's a bad habit to get into. You never know when it's going to bite ya."

Hunter #2 "Yeah, fair play."

Hunter #1 "Sweet. No worries. Let's go."

Both men walk away from the ute, towards the bush.

Text appears over the men slowly walking towards the bush. Text says:

Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded.

Always carry out safety precautions and check every firearm yourself. Never point a firearm at yourself or any other person.

End screen is green and the text says

For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Facebook icon firearmssafetyauthoritynz. Te Tari Pūreke logo, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority.

Fades out.

Save any drinks for after the shoot

Opening day can be a great opportunity for people to get together, but alcohol and firearms don’t mix!
When people drink, their reflexes, judgement, and balance can become impaired. This can lead to accidents. So, stay sharp. Keep the drinks on ice until the shoot is over and you’ve safely locked your guns away.

Quick Tips:

  • Do not drink alcohol before or while using your firearms.
  • Do not shoot with anyone else who is, or has been, drinking.
  • Gears before beers – safely lock your firearms away before going for a drink.

Read more on page 26 of the Firearms Safety Code

Video transcript

(Background music: welcome page with a logo of Te Tari Pūreke. There's a border on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen which is a tohu design. Text says Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Seven Rules of Firearms Safety.)

Next slide has the words displayed Rule 7: Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.

The next screen is a shot of New Zealand bush, with the camera pulling away. A hunter is seen outside a cabin with a chilly bin. He opens the chilly bin, reaches in and pulls out two bottles of beer. He goes to hand it to the other hunter who is standing up and holding his firearm case.

Hunter 1: "Hey mate, want a cold one?"

Hunter 2: "Ooh, gears before beers lad. Alcohol and firearms don't mix."

Behind the second hunter is a headless deer carcass.

Hunter 1 withdraws the second beer on offer, embarassed and goes to put both beer bottles back in the chilly bin. 

Hunter 1: "Nah all good."

Hunter 2: "We'll lock these guns away inside and then crack a cold one after that."

Hunter 1: "Yeah yeah. Good mate."

Hunter 1 picks up the other firearms case. On the bottom of the screen, a bottom banner appears with the words There is no safe amount of alcohol you can consume and then handle a firearm safely. Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo.

Next screen shows Hunter 2 unlock a cabinet, and puts his ammunition in it before locking it again. The screen after that shows two firearms being locked in a case.

The magazine and the bolt are seen being locked in a seperate locked compartment. The bottom screen says "Wait until all firearms and ammunition have been safely locked before away before alcohol. Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority logo.

The next screen shows three split camera angles, one showing a cupboard being locked, one showing a draw open and closed with a key placed inside, and one showing a key being place above a cupboard to keep it out of site.

Two men are then on the couch drinking beers. Behind them are two deer heads.

Hunter 1: "Hey mate that was a really good hunt, thanks very much for showing me the ropes."
Hunter 2: "No all good man next time we'll go out get one of these eh."

Gestures to the deer heads behind him. 

Hunter 2: "Yeah choice!"

Two men raise their bottles together. Next slide is the camera panning away with a green screen over top. Text says: "Rule 7: Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms. Wait until all firearms and ammunition have been safely locked away before alcohol. Do not shoot with others who are, or have been, drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Check with your doctor whether prescribed medications will affect your safety with firearms."

End screen is white with a border on the top and bottom and the text says:

"For more information visit firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Facebook icon firearmssafetyauthoritynz. Te Tari Pūreke logo, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority."

Fades out.

 

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