“But thanks to the course, I learned a lot of skills which I put to practical use.”
When he got caught in a river while out duck shooting, he was able to use several skills such as being able to move with the river, and how to pull himself through a tree.
“If it weren’t for the course, and what I taught me, I could have died in that river that day.''
He was subsequently able to retrieve his rifle which he let go of, after stripping down to his underwear and diving into the river.
South Canterbury Hunts course educator Stephen Small, said he has been in the voluntary role for more than 15 years, and would have educated about 30 aspiring hunters every year.