"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," Mr 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.
He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving and skiing, and had excelled as a competitive free-skier, Mr Fyfe said.
Dougal was keen on motorbiking and socialising with friends and family.
He 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," Mr 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.
A funeral celebrating his life 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 and have not determined whether any charges will be laid against the dead man's 24-year-old friend, who is also from Wanaka.
Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said he was continuing to work on the case and interview people. A post-mortem examination had been completed and there was nothing untoward in the results, he said.
The police have not named the two hunting companions, a 24-year-old man and a 19-year-old man.
- Otago Daily Times
