Duck hunter feared dead

A duck shooter is believed to have drowned on the first day of the season after his dinghy overturned on a central North Island lake at the weekend.

A friend almost drowned while trying to rescue him, a Square Trust Rescue Helicopter spokesman said.

The helicopter from Palmerston North and a St John paramedic crew searched the lake in the Santoft Forest, about 19km southwest of Bulls, but were unable to find the man.

A police dive squad is expected to be called in to look for the body.

The victim's friend nearly drowned after swimming out to the shooter, the spokesman for the helicopter rescue team said.

He was treated at the scene by a paramedic but did not need transporting to hospital. No other details were available.

The duck shooting season began at 6.30am on Saturday and runs for between six and 12 weeks depending on the region.

- NZPA