Hunter's return to family cut short by fatal shot

Dougal Fyfe pictured with sister Harriet, died on Monday after a hunting incident. Photo / Supplied

A 23-year-old man accidentally shot dead by his best friend while hunting had only recently returned to his family in New Zealand after two years working in Australia.

Dougal Fyfe, 23, was a keen outdoorsman with an infectious enthusiasm for adventure and had recently returned to his family farm in the Maungawera Valley.

But his life was cut short on Monday morning after he was shot in the head by his best friend from school days who had mistaken him for a deer during a late-night hunt.

The victim's father, lawyer Grant Fyfe, issued a brief statement yesterday saying his son would be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mr Fyfe confirmed his son "died instantly when he was accidentally shot".

"He will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm which led to many adventures - and misadventures - which he usually bounced back from with a cheeky grin," Mr Fyfe said.

His son had been enjoying working on local farms and vineyards after a couple of years working in the Australian outback as a jackaroo and in Perth as a yard supervisor.

He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving and skiing, and had excelled as a competitive free-skier, Mr Fyfe said.

Dougal was keen on motorbiking and socialising with friends and family.

He was educated at Hawea Flat Primary School, Waihi Prep School and Mt Aspiring College.

"He loved to travel but his heart was in Wanaka with his family and he was loving his life back here in the months before his death," Mr Fyfe said.

Dougal was the second son of Grant Fyfe and the late Ngaire Lloyd.

He is survived by his father, stepmother Caroline Harker, brother Tom, 25, sister Harriet, 22, and stepsister Maddy, 20.

A funeral celebrating his life will be held at 4pm tomorrow at his family home in Maungawera Rd, about 5km northwest of Wanaka.

Wanaka police are conducting a dual coronial and criminal investigation and have not determined whether any charges will be laid against the dead man's 24-year-old friend, who is also from Wanaka.

Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said he was continuing to work on the case and interview people. A post-mortem examination had been completed and there was nothing untoward in the results, he said.

The police have not named the two hunting companions, a 24-year-old man and a 19-year-old man.

- Otago Daily Times