Jail likely for man who shot fellow hunter

Jail is likely for a Bay of Plenty man after he shot another hunter last month.

Donald Parkinson has pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court, to a charge of careless use of a firearm causing injury.

It comes after the 68-year-old became the subject of a search and rescue operation in the Maungapohatu area in April.

Rotorua search and rescue teams found him nursing another hunter, whom he had shot in the shoulder believing he was a deer.

The victim underwent surgery and spent 10 days in Rotorua Hospital.

Judge Chris McGuire warned Parkinson that despite this being his first appearance there was a real probability a jail sentence would follow.

Parkinson will reappear for sentencing on June 16.

- NEWSTALK ZB