A law expert thinks the courts need to stop granting discharges without convictions to hunters who shoot another member of their party.

It comes after yesterday's sentencing of Stephen Long, who fatally shot his 24-year-old son Samuel during a hunting trip on Stewart Island in March.

Massey University Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Doctor Chris Gallavin said Long's discharge without conviction is the latest in a string of similar decisions following hunting fatalities.

"The courts should take a very serious hard look as to whether they need to send a message to such hunters that this is just utterly not acceptable."

He believes it's time the courts stopped accepting discharges without conviction, for fatalities where hunting is involved.

"Not withstanding they have been granted in the past, not withstanding the fact that each case needs to be considered on its merits, I think we're getting to a stage where we can say as a society enough is enough."