Hunter shot dead in the Ruahine Range near Dannevirke

Dannevirke Senior Constable Wayne Churchouse says hunters need to be conscious of "buck fever" – the desire to shoot a stag that can lead to fatal mistakes - especially around the roar. Photo / NZME

A police officer involved in the retrieval of a shot hunter’s body in bush near Dannevirke says the impact of what occurred will stay with many people for the rest of their lives.

Dannevirke Senior Constable Wayne Churchouse said the man was hunting alone when he was shot by another hunter, who the police say was in a party of two, during the roar in the Ruahine Range on Friday.

Churchouse said the roar, or rut, which is mating season for deer, was prime time for people hunting for stags.

There were numerous cars at the car park below the Traverse (A-Frame) Hut when the shooting took place nearby, he said.

The roar is typically from mid-March to the end of April, Game Animal and Council New Zealand’s website says.

Churchouse said he received a call at 5.27pm that a hunter had been shot off Tamaki West Rd, on the track up to the hut.

The Traverse Hut, near where a man hunting in the Ruahine Ranges was shot dead. Photo / Department of Conservation

While police have confirmed an investigation into the circumstances of the death is underway, they told Hawke’s Bay Today the shooting was accidental.

Churchouse, who is also the co-ordinator for Police Search and Rescue, said the Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay rescue helicopters were notified.

He said both rescue services were launched, with the Palmerston North helicopter lowering a paramedic on to the track.

He said clouds moved in and the helicopter was unable to airlift anyone out, including the paramedic on the ground.

“We sent a hasty team from Tararua Land Search and Rescue up there to extract the paramedic, the two hunters and the paramedic’s gear.”

Further members from Tararua Land Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Search and Rescue, and Police Search and Rescue were sent to retrieve the man’s body.

Churchouse said the walking track was a “gradual climb up” but it was a challenging extraction.

“It was difficult for our initial teams, because they had the deceased and the other traumatised party, and they had to walk out.”

Many of the search and rescue team had also hunted the area before and were wary of their safety during the extraction because of how many cars were in the car park, Churchouse said.

He said hunters needed to be conscious of “buck fever” – the desire to shoot a stag that can lead to fatal mistakes – especially around the roar.

“You get a lot more inexperienced people going.

“They get buck fever and they want to see animals, want to believe they are stalking something, and then the mind will play games.

“It’s certainly a life-changing decision; you squeeze that trigger, you can’t get that bullet back.

“People just need to follow the basic firearms rules, and in this case, clearly identify your target and what’s beyond it.

“It’s going to have lifelong consequences for both the victim and his family and the shooter and his friend and their friends and family.”

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager said the death was “deeply tragic”.

“My thoughts are with his loved ones and all impacted by this heartbreaking event.”

He said while the investigation was ongoing, it was a timely reminder for everyone to remember key firearm safety rules, particularly as the roar period continues.

“I ask everyone to keep these rules at the forefront of all hunting.”

A karakia was being held at the site on Monday morning and a rāhui was being put in place, with the length of time to be confirmed.

Seven key firearm safety rules:

1. Treat every firearm as loaded
2. Always point firearms in a safe direction
3. Chamber a cartridge only when ready to fire
4. Identify your target beyond all doubt
5. Check your firing zone
6. Store and transport firearms and ammunition safely
7. Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.