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MSC responds to hunting fatality in Ruahine Ranges

16th April 2026|3 min

Following a tragic hunting fatality in the Ruahine Ranges in the Manawatū-Whanganui region on Friday 10 April 2026, NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is reminding hunters of the critical need to always identify their target beyond all doubt. 

According to Police, the hunter was shot at close range by a member of another hunting party who mistook them for an animal. Emergency services were first notified of the incident on Friday at about 5.30pm.

The incident comes during the deer rutting season – the Roar – a highlight of the hunting calendar which runs from March through to April.

“This is one of the busiest times of year for hunting, with thousands expected to take part in the Roar,” says MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley.“This incident is a tragic reminder of how critically important it is for hunters to identify beyond all doubt that their target is a deer before taking the shot. One mistake can have catastrophic consequences.”

MSC insights show that the rate of mis-identification fatalities has reduced significantly since a peak in the early 1980s (A Hunter's Tale) when there was an average of four per year. Up to the end of 2025, the 10-year average was 0.5 mis-identification fatalities per year. However, there has now been one each year for the past four years.

“Mis-id shootings are still happening and the recent increase is worrying,” says Daisley.

MSC reminds hunters that movement, colour, sound and shape can all be deceptive in the bush.

“Hunters need to be acutely aware of their surroundings at all times including the location of all members of their hunting party as well as other hunting parties in the vicinity,” says Daisley. “They must always assume a shape or movement is another person until they can prove otherwise without a doubt.”

MSC also recommends all hunters wear high-visibility clothing that stands out in the bush, ideally blaze orange, to reduce the risk of misidentification.

“A failure for a hunter to identify their target beyond all doubt can have devastating consequences not only for the deceased’s family and friends, but also the hunter responsible,” says Daisley. “We want hunters to enjoy the outdoors with their mates and make it home safe every time.”

The team at MSC extends their sincere condolences to the hunter’s whānau, friends and community during this difficult time.

How to Identify Your Target Beyond All Doubt

  • Know the location of all your hunting party members at all times as well as other parties in the vicinity. Always consider: Could the sound, shape, colour or movement be a person? 
  • Assume that any colour, shape, sound or movement is a person until confirmed otherwise.
  • Never aim at a sound, shape, colour or movement until you have identified beyond all doubt that it is not a person.
  • Stop and ask yourself: Is this a person?
  • Ask yourself: Is this the species I’m hunting? Is it a stag or hind? How old is it? 
  • Double-check before taking aim: Is this definitely not a person?
  • Only take aim once you have identified beyond all doubt that it is not a person. 

MSC also recommends hunters always wear high-visibility clothing that contrasts with the environment, ideally blaze orange.

Find out more

PHOTO CREDIT | Andrew C  | Ruahine Ranges 

Firearm Safety Hunting Roar