Plea for reports of suspicious hunting activity after man shoots deer from roadside

Police are urging the public to report suspicious hunting activity, after a man was caught shooting deer from the roadside on the West Coast

In May, a member of the public reported a man walking beside State Highway 6 near Woodstock-Rimu Road, who was later found by police with a fresh deer carcass.

His hunting rifle and thermal scope were seized and he later admitted to unlawfully shooting the wild deer from the side of the road.

Police said unlawful hunting puts other people at risk and could have potentially fatal consequences.

They were urging members of the public to contact police if they saw any suspicious hunting activity happening.