Fairlie fisherman Malcolm Taylor enjoys a peaceful stretch of the upper Clutha River near Albert Town yesterday. Photo by Mark Price.

The long-standing practice of shooting ducks from jet-boats drifting down the Clutha River has been labelled "dangerous" by a Wanaka river-user.

The man, who does not want to be named, says he is concerned for his own safety when boats drift past him with duck shooters on board.

On Sunday, he was on the river bank, in "deep shade" beneath a willow tree, and was wearing dark clothing.

He believed he was not visible to a boat-load of duck shooters, and while no shots were fired near him, he felt "quite panicked" that ducks might fly up between himself and the boat.

He considered there was "potential for disaster" with more boats "cruising quietly" down the river.

"They see a duck; bang, bang, bang, and they don't see what is [beyond the duck].

"The ducks might be 50m away but the shot can go another 100 or 200m."

Otago Fish and Game officer Cliff Halford told the Otago Daily Times yesterday shooting from drifting boats was a long-standing and legal practice on the Clutha River between lakes Wanaka and Dunstan.

But with improved public access to the river, including new cycle tracks, it was "becoming a bit more difficult".

"It's just unfortunate sometimes historical users [such as duck shooters] can get shoved out of the way.

"It is really quite disappointing."

Mr Halford said there was "one old gent" who complained every year and tried to make an issue out of it.

However, he knew of no incidents of anyone being injured through that form of hunting.

"He considered it was up to individual duck shooters to be responsible firearms users "knowing there could be anglers on the river, or walkers or bikers".

"We would like to see the [shooting] opportunity made available into the future, but as pressure comes on, it will be interesting to see what evolves."

The man spoken to by the ODT called for the practice to be banned.

"People just quietly walking along the river, who are not seen, they could be shot. It's as simple as that."

Mr Halford said a shotgun's range was about 300m so there was "a range outside the river margin that a shotgun blast will travel".

He advised people not to go down to the river if they heard shooting.

"By doing that, they are putting themselves in danger."

This particularly applied at the weekend when more duck shooters were about.

"I think there is a responsibility for individuals using those walking tracks to be aware that legally people can hunt by boat on the river."

He believes signs on tracks to provide better information about the hunting season - from May to August - might be worthwhile.

- mark.price@odt.co.nz