Man shot while hunting in Manawatu bush

A man is lucky to be alive after being shot while hunting in Manawatu bush last night.

Police central region communications manager Kim Perks said the man and a companion were hunting at the southern end of the Ruahine Range when the incident happened.

The 38-year-old hunter's companion raised the alarm with a local farmer at about 8.20pm and a rescue team and paramedics went into the bush in the Square Trust rescue helicopter and on a quad motorbike.

The hunter, from the Palmerston North area, was stabilised at the scene and flown to out of the bush to Palmerston North Hospital several hours later with a serious arm injury.

His condition was described as serious but stable early today.

Ms Perks said police were investigating the circumstances of the incident.

- NZPA