PHOTO
The family of the 24-year-old Wanaka man charged this week in relation to the death of his close friend Dougal Fyfe (23) in a hunting accident in December say they are "deeply saddened" by the tragedy.
The accused was arrested on Wednesday and charged with careless use of a firearm causing death, following a three-month investigation by police.
Mr Fyfe was shot in the head on December 19, allegedly after being mistaken for a deer during a hunting trip on Mt Burke Station in the Maungawera Valley, near Wanaka. Mr Fyfe died at the scene.
"Our family is deeply saddened by this tragic event," a spokesperson for the accused's family said yesterday, but declined to comment further.
Attempts to contact Mr Fyfe's family were unsuccessful.
Following the announcement charges had been laid, the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC) issued a reminder to hunters to identify their target "beyond all doubt".
NZMSC firearms and hunter training programme manager Mike Spray said he believed a headlamp worn by the victim may have been mistaken for the eye of a deer.
"This tragic death highlights the need for hunters to take extra care when shooting at night. You must take the time to positively identify your target beyond all doubt before pulling the trigger," Mr Spray said.
"There have been eight deer hunter deaths in the past 10 years. All of these incidents could have been avoided if hunters had followed the seven basic rules of firearms safety."
Mr Spray said in six of those eight deaths, the shooter and the victim were in the same hunting party, and started out together but for some reason became separated.
He emphasised the need for hunters who lost visual contact with a hunting companion, to cease hunting immediately, until visual contact was regained and confirmed.
"Wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the environment can help hunters be seen by other hunters."
However, the responsibility of target identification was ultimately in the hands of the shooter, he said.
