James Dodds, known as Dodzy, was fatally wounded in remote bush in the Waikite Valley, about 30km south of the city, early yesterday morning.
Mr Dodds, 30, was shooting with Henry Worsp, an experienced hunter and fisherman who is known by the nickname '8-Shot' and has more than 10 years of experience managing outdoor safety.
Rotorua police commander Inspector Bruce Horne said last night the shooting appeared to be accidental "and another tragic reminder of the absolute necessity for hunters to properly identify their target before they shoot".
The men were in heavy bush on one side of a ridgeline more than 600m above sea level when Mr Dodds was shot, just before 8am.
Minutes later his hunting partner dashed, distressed and disorientated, to a high point to get cellphone coverage and called police.
"That person reported that there had been an accident and that he had fatally shot a hunting partner," Mr Horne said.
Mr Worsp walked about 2km across steep terrain and met police officers a short distance from Te Kopia Rd.
Members of the armed offenders squad returning from an unrelated matter were diverted to help rescue staff find Mr Dodds' body.
They scoured an area below the Paeroa Ranges, about 12km up the rural road, as a helicopter containing his hunting partner hovered above.
"We flew him over the ridge so he could identify where he thought the body was," said Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter pilot Art Kowalski.
"He was quaite distressed."
Searchers had to be winched into the bush because there was nowhere to land near the shooting site, said Mr Kowalski.
Mr Dodds was found late in the afternoon but remained in the bush overnight under police guard.
The weather was too bad for a helicopter to winch out his body; wet, slippery conditions and the coming darkness made it unsafe to carry it out on foot.
Mr Kowalski said there was drizzle, low cloud and high wind in the area all day.
Mr Dodds' partner Gabrielle Molloy wasn't ready to talk yesterday, but in a public online tribute described the pain of losing her long-time love.
"He was the most inspiring, loving, caring, clever human being I have ever met and I am so privileged to have spent nearly nine wonderful years with him. I will miss him with my entire being. I love you Dodzy, so so much baby. Your Gabs," she wrote on Facebook.
Mr Dodds' shocked best friend Jeff Carter described him as full of life and said he would be terribly missed.
"We are all in disbelief ... He was just one of the most alive guys. He was into mountain biking, motocross and hunting. He was an awesome mentor to a lot of people in New Zealand and around the world."
Mr Carter said he and other friends were also feeling for Mr Worsp: "Our hearts go out to the guy that was with him. He must be feeling terrible".
Mr Worsp has worked as a senior raft guide, snow safety officer and taught emergency management courses, according to the website for Peak Outdoor Safety and Emergency Management, which lists him as a director.
The site says his passions are family, fishing, hunting, skiing, diving and mountain biking.
Mr Horne said Mr Dodds' hunting partner was cooperating with an investigation led by Rotorua CIB.
It is the third hunting death this year.
Alexander Cameron McDonald, 29, was shot dead by another hunter in an accidental shooting in Aorangi Forest Park, Wairarapa on April 7.
A few weeks earlier 26-year-old Southland man Mark Richard Vanderley was killed by another man in his hunting group while spotlighting for deer.
Of the 12 hunting-related deaths between 2002-2011, 10 were caused by someone in the same hunting party.
All were avoidable and if every hunter followed the basic rules of firearm safety, the figure could be reduced to zero, said Mike Spray, firearms and safety manager for the Mountain Safety Council.
"Three deaths is a lot in context of other years ... hunting is a safe recreational activity compared to the number of drownings with 120 last year."
The maximum penalty for careless use of a firearm is three years in prison or a fine of up to $4000. The maximum penalty for manslaughter is life in prison.
But some, including families of those affected by hunting tragedies, have called for tougher firearm licensing requirements and mandatory practical firearms exams.
The Government appears to have ruled out new legislation, with Police Minister Anne Tolley saying in May that the Arms Act "does its job" and the vast majority of hunters were responsible.
- additional reporting Daily Post
