A 25-year-old Southland man has died after being shot in the chest in a hunting incident.
Police were notified of the shooting, which occurred in the Longwoods, at 1.30pm yesterday by a member of the hunting party who had walked out from the scene.
A medic from Te Anau and police personnel were winched into the heavily bushed area by helicopter and recovered the body of the hunter.
He suffered a bullet wound to the chest and died at the scene, police said.
Invercargill police were investigating and an autopsy would be carried out in Invercargill today.
Detective sergeant Mark McCloy said the man was shot by a member from a different hunting party.
All hunters were reminded that this was a busy time in the bush and it was imperative that people identify their target, McCloy said.
“If in doubt, do not fire.”