KEY POINTS:
The father of hunting victim Mathew Purchase is "deeply saddened" at the news of Aaron Timm's death, who died after being shot in the chest during a hunting accident, yesterday.
The 18-year-old Napier teenager was on a hunting trip in the Tarawera region with a man and his 24 year-old son. Mr Timms was reportedly mistaken for a deer and died from a single gunshot to the chest.
Ian Purchase's son Matthew is recovering in a hospital in the UK, after being shot in the head with a .22 rifle on a Waikato farm.
"It is distressing to yet again see that a split second of carelessness has not only resulted in a lifetime of tragedy for so many people but also the loss of a young person's life," Mr Purchase said.
He said his son has been gaining strength in his legs and could now stand for minutes at a time.
"His left arm had shown no sign of movement until about three days ago when there was just a flicker of movement.
"Since then that has become more noticeable but it still has a long way to go before it becomes meaningful movement.
"However he is certain that he will get it to work properly with time so we are optimistic for him," Mr Purchase said.
"He has defied all the odds so far so who are we to say that he will not do it."
The Deerstalkers Association earlier issued a warning to hunters, saying they should accept missing out on a trophy stag unless absolutely sure the target they were eyeing up was actually an animal.
"You shouldn't place a killing shot until you have identified your target," said president Alec McIver.
A 2003 report found target identification was an issue in 64 per cent of 33 accidental shooting deaths. In 48 per cent the hunter had taken a "snap-shot" at a moving object.
- NZHERALD STAFF
