Police: Lost hunter did everything right

A hunter who got lost is being praised for his actions which led to search and rescue teams finding him.
Detective Sergeant John Wilson of Rotorua police said the hunter was reported missing about 9.30am on Sunday and rescue crews found him about 6.20pm that night.
He said the 26-year-old Waikato man was part of a hunting group which had spent Saturday in the Whirinaki Forest Park.
The man had become separated from the group and failed to return to a meeting point on Saturday evening.
"Early on Sunday morning his companions raised the alarm," Mr Wilson said.
Rotorua police search and rescue squad members and Land Search and Rescue volunteers spent Sunday searching for the hunter in the area surrounding the Whangatawhia Hut.
"We were assisted by HeliPro helicopter which conducted a search of the wider environs and dropped teams into the field."
Mr Wilson said the hunter was found by the member of the helicopter crew about 6.20pm in a stream bed north of the Whangatawhia Hut.
"He was in an area above a gorge and a series of waterfalls," he said.
"He had no injuries but was tired and hungry and very, very relieved to have been found."
Mr Wilson said the hunter had previously attended a hunter training course which gave him good knowledge about what to do if he got lost.
"He did everything right. He stayed put, he made himself as visible to searchers as he could and he lit a signal fire."
The man's bright clothing also helped searchers spot him.
Once found, he was longlined by the helicopter to a clearing at the end of Okahu Rd.
Mr Wilson said the search and rescue teams were conscious of the bad weather forecasts for Monday night and had been keen to find the man as soon as possible.
The search was a timely reminder to hunters coming into the roar season to be vigilant and be safe.
"Don't over extend yourselves. This can lead to mistakes, injuries and taking unnecessary risks," he said. "Try to hunt in pairs or at the least hunt to a plan with pre-arranged timings with your fellow hunters so they know when to put the balloon up if you don't return from a hunt."
Mr Wilson said some easy things hunters could do was to always carry a map, compass and adequate food and clothing for a night out.
"Electronic navigation devices such as GPS units are also handy and becoming more affordable," he said.
He said hunters also needed to abide by the rules of firearms safety which included treating every firearm as loaded and identifying their target.