Auckland hunter found after 3 days lost in bush

A hunter who became lost in Waikato bush on Saturday lived on raw eel before being rescued late yesterday afternoon.

Jacob 'Jake' Costello, 40, of Auckland, was hunting with a friend in Pureora Forest Park, west of Tokoroa, when they became separated on Saturday morning, Sergeant Phil Bell of Waikato police search and rescue said.

The friend returned to the bush that afternoon, having recruited another person to help search for Mr Costello. They fired shots to get his attention but could not find him.

On Sunday morning they emerged from the bush and raised the alarm. A group of local search and rescue volunteers began hunting for Mr Costello and on Sunday were joined by others from surrounding areas taking the total to nearly 70 searchers, plus an air force helicopter.

He was found safe at a road on the park's outskirts yesterday having made his way out of the forest.

"We'd found footprints in the bush and where he'd made camp Saturday night. Mr Costello told us he had become separated from his friend early on and lost his pack on the second day which search teams had recovered," Mr Bell said.

"He'd done the right thing by making his way down from the rugged bush by following a stream, from a preventative perspective if he had been carrying a map to go with his compass he may have been able to navigate his way back to his camp but we're all just happy he's been found safe and well."

Mr Costello told rescuers he'd been eating raw eel and did not recommend it as a culinary delight.