Wanaka farm worker Dougal Fyfe (23) was a keen outdoorsman with an infectious enthusiasm for adventure who had recently returned to his family farm in the Maungawera Valley after two years' working in Australia.
Mr Fyfe died on Monday morning after he was shot in the head by his best friend from school days, who had mistaken him for a deer during a late-night hunt.
Dougal Fyfe's father, lawyer Grant Fyfe, issued a brief statement to the Otago Daily Times yesterday saying his son would be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Grant Fyfe confirmed his son "died instantly when he was accidently shot".
"He will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm which led to many adventures - and misadventures - which he usually bounced back from with a cheeky grin," Grant Fyfe said.
His son had been enjoying working on local farms and vineyards after a couple of years working in the Australian outback as a jackaroo and in Perth as a yard supervisor.
Dougal also enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving and skiing, and had excelled as a competitive free-skier, Grant Fyfe said.
He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and socialising with friends and family.
Dougal was educated at Hawea Flat Primary School, Waihi Prep School and Mt Aspiring College.
"He loved to travel but his heart was in Wanaka with his family and he was loving his life back here in the months before his death," Grant Fyfe said.
Dougal was the second son of Grant Fyfe and the late Ngaire Lloyd. He is survived by his father stepmother Caroline Harker, brother Tom (25), sister Harriet (22), and stepsister Maddy (20).
Dougal's funeral will be held at 4pm tomorrow at his family home in Maungawera Rd, about 5km northwest of Wanaka.
Wanaka police are conducting a dual coronial and criminal investigation into the shooting and have not determined yet whether any charges will be laid against Mr Fyfe's 24-year-old friend, who is also a Wanaka man.
Sgt Aaron Nicholson said he was continuing to work on the case.
A post mortem had been completed and there was nothing untoward in the results, he said.
The police have not released the names of Mr Fyfe's two hunting companions, a 24-year-old man and a 19-year-old man.
