Auckland man in court after Bay hunter shot

The Auckland man appeared in Masterton Court yesterday.

A 44-year-old Auckland man appeared in Masterton District Court yesterday after allegedly shooting a Hawke's Bay duck hunter.

The incident occurred at Bideford on Saturday, the first day of the duck hunting season.

The man, who appeared before the registrar, was granted interim name suppression at the request of defence lawyer Louise Elder.

He entered no plea to one charge of careless use of a firearm causing injury and was remanded on bail to reappear on May 26 when he is due to enter a plea to the charge.

Outside court he declined to speak to media and looked visibly upset.

On Saturday about 11.20am, five hours after the duck hunting season began, police allege he shot a 44-year-old Hawke's Bay man from his own duck hunting group in the arm.

The man was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a serious condition and he had emergency surgery on an elbow that afternoon.

Yesterday hospital officials said the man was in a stable condition and is recovering.

It wasn't the only shooting to take place on the first day of the popular season.

On Saturday afternoon, another man in his 40s was shot in the buttocks and leg while hunting at Glenorchy, north west of Queenstown.

Queenstown Police say he received minor injuries.