Otago Southland coroner David Crerar said Matthew John Laing (23) was found on January 9 this year on a steep rock face below a series of bluffs on the western side of Rob Roy valley in the Mt Aspiring National Park. The injuries sustained by Mr Laing in his fall were immediately fatal.
"It's a tragedy to lose a young man in these circumstances," Mr Crerar said.
Mr Laing had done his homework before embarking on the trip, was fit and healthy and not a risk-taker. It was likely he had slipped on loose or slippery rocks and fallen about 100m.
"I think, in this case, he's gone one step too far and made that fatal judgement and paid the price," Mr Crerar said.
Russell Laing said his son "grew up" hunting and shooting with him and also served five years in the New Zealand Army.
Usually, Matt hunted with other people, but occasionally he would go on solo trips.
On this occasion, he was hunting chamois on his own and planned to stay overnight. He took food and a first-aid kit with him.
Mr Laing said Matt was mature, sensible and well-prepared with all the right gear including good boots, crampons, maps and a GPS unit. He told his father where he was going and what time he was due back.
The weather was good that weekend.
Senior Constable Michael Johnston was the acting Wanaka police search and rescue incident controller and said a night search was started after Mr Laing was reported overdue from his hunting trip.
An extensive land and aerial search continued the next day and Mr Laing's body was found at 6.45pm on a steep rock face.
Mr Laing was dressed in dark camouflage clothing which blended into the surroundings and was wearing a similar dark camouflage pack.
His rifle was wedged in rocks, about 100m higher, and was not able to be recovered, Snr Const Johnston said. The hunter's boots were "perfect" with good tread.
He estimated Mr Laing had fallen at least 100m in steep country with loose schist rock -"very difficult terrain to negotiate but not impossible".
Snr Const Johnston said it was possible Mr Laing was in that area because he had seen a chamois. .
Family friend Dave Gibson read a statement on behalf of the Laing family in which they thanked the search and rescue squad for its "amazing work and care for us". The inquest would bring closure so they could enjoy their treasured memories of Matt, he said.
Outside the court, Matt's mother, Pam, said the family was grateful to the squad.
"Just them finding Matt and being able to bring him home - that was amazing," she said.
