Kayne O'Connor (27), who moved to Dunedin from Auckland a few months ago, was reported missing in the hills northwest of Balclutha on Sunday, after other members of his hunting party, from whom he had separated, realised he had not returned the night before.
Senior Constable Murray Hewitson, of Owaka, said he was found by searchers on foot, wet and extremely cold, disoriented, but otherwise unhurt, about 2.30pm yesterday after rescuers failed to locate him on Sunday.
After walking out with his rescuers, he was later reunited with his "elated'' mother and grandfather, who had travelled from Auckland and arrived in Dunedin about noon.
He was treated at Clutha Health First Hospital in Balclutha. It was expected he would be released last night.
Snr Const Hewitson said it was surprising Mr O'Connor was in such good shape after two nights out in the cold and he understood he had kept himself warm during the day by moving around and by digging a trench and at night covering himself in bark.
"He's obviously got a good level of fitness and he just kept moving.''
All of his efforts to find a way out failed because he was stuck between two creeks, which had gone from being knee-deep to "raging torrents''.
The first thing he said when rescuers found him in thick native bush was, "Are you guys looking for me?
He had earlier heard the rescue helicopter and fired shots to signal his location, but the terrain made it difficult for rescuers to determine where sound came from.
Snr Const Hewitson thanked all the volunteers who took part in the search.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said Mr O'Connor, an experienced hunter, was found about 2km west of the car park at John O'Groats Rd on the Blue Mountains.
It was important hunters were prepared to stay overnight in the event something went wrong, he said.
"This guy did have some good gear with him which is why he was able to remain alive but probably would have been healthier if he had packed overnight sleeping equipment.''
He said Mr O'Connor was with a small group of Dunedin men on Saturday afternoon hunting in an area called Black Cleugh. They had a permit.
The hunters split up, a normal practice, and after firing a shot into the air and hearing a shot in return, the group, believing Mr O'Connor was safely on his way back to the car park, left the area.
The group reported him missing the following day after they retuned to the area and he was not there.
Sgt Bull said tricky, bush-laden terrain with interconnected streams on the mountainside made the search on foot difficult.
"All of the streams twist back on themselves.''
A helicopter with night-vision equipment was dispatched on Sunday night but poor visibility yesterday morning meant it could not be used again.
A search dog team and more rescue volunteers were sent into the mountains.
Sgt Bull said about 50 people, largely those from the Catlins Search and Rescue Unit, were involved in the search.
