On Tuesday, the artist who works from his Tuatapere home was sentenced to seven months' home detention, an outcome which angered and upset many.
Some waited outside the courtroom saying they planned to abuse Edgerton, but left before he emerged.
Lindsay Youngman, of Otautau, attended the sentencing and said yesterday he saw people ''booting doors'' on the way out of the courthouse and heard threatening comments about his friend such as ''I'll see you round bro'', ''next time we go hunting it will be in Tuatapere'' and ''I hope he's got insurance''.
Mr Youngman, president of the Western Southland branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association, said he received a ''nasty'' text yesterday in which the sender hoped the deerstalkers' association was not siding with Edgerton or the sentence. He would not say who the text was from.
He said he hoped the anger expressed by those unhappy with the sentence was ''understandable immediate anger'' would not turn into acts of aggression against Edgerton and his family.
''I know there is a heck of a lot of anger from Adam's family. They have lost a loved one ... but I hope nothing happens to Wayne. He is not a victim like Adam, but he will have to live with this guilt for the rest of his life.''
Mr Youngman said he visited Edgerton about 10 days ago. All his hunting trophies and photographs had gone from the house and Edgerton had told him he would never go hunting again.
Southland Area Commander Inspector Lane Todd said yesterday police were aware of strong feelings from some about the sentence.
Extra police officers had been sent to the court for the sentencing, but he said Edgerton was not being guarded or monitored and he had ''no concerns at this stage'' Edgerton might face retribution.
An officer who had been liaising with him and his family since the incident was still doing that.
Insp Todd said it was ''highly likely'' Edgerton's firearms licence would be revoked. Now his sentencing was over, his suitability to hold a firearms licence was being reviewed, a process he expected would be concluded within the next few days.
Mr Youngman said Edgerton had been the Western branch secretary for about 10 years and an association member for several decades. He had informed the deerstalkers' association head office about the sentencing and suspected Edgerton would be asked to resign or would have his membership revoked.
Through a family member, Edgerton yesterday declined to speak to the Otago Daily Times.
