A hunting trip in remote NSW has ended in tragedy and serious criminal charges, with a man dying from a gunshot wound and three others now facing court proceedings. The death on 1 March 2024 has triggered one of the longest investigations into a rural firearms incident, raising questions about how firearms are managed during hunting expeditions.
Emergency services were called to a property at Come by Chance, about 55km south-east of Walgett, following reports a man had been injured after falling from a ute during a hunting trip. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 47-year-old man for a gunshot wound; however, he died at the scene.
Following an extensive investigation under Strike Force McCudden, detectives arrested a 45-year-old man at Mount Druitt Police Station where he was charged with manslaughter and use of an unauthorised firearm. He was refused bail and appeared before Mount Druitt Local Court, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Walgett Local Court on Monday 11 May 2026.
The charge of manslaughter rather than negligence or recklessness suggests prosecutors believe the circumstances of the death involve serious culpability. In NSW, this charge typically requires proof of conduct that was so negligent or reckless as to amount to a wanton and deliberate disregard for human life.
The investigation's length is notable. More than two years elapsed between the shooting and the arrest, indicating either the complexity of establishing what occurred in the remote setting or the need to gather extensive evidence about the circumstances. All firearms were seized as part of the investigation.
The charges against the other men signal that responsibility may be distributed across the group. A 42-year-old man was issued a court attendance notice for giving a firearm to a person not authorised to use it, while a 39-year-old man was issued a notice for using an unauthorised firearm. Both are due to appear in Walgett Local Court on May 11.
NSW hunting laws are comprehensive. Anyone who seeks to use a firearm on public land in NSW must hold a Restricted Game Hunting Licence with the firearms category as well as a firearms licence issued by an Australian state or territory agency. The use of unauthorised firearms by multiple members of the hunting party, as suggested by the charges, indicates a departure from these legal requirements.
The case underscores the responsibility hunters carry when handling weapons in group settings. Firearms accidents during hunting remain a concern in Australia, despite strict licensing regimes. The tragic outcome at Come by Chance, and the subsequent charges, serve as a reminder that improper firearm management carries consequences that extend far beyond the shooting ground.