Teenager shot dead after being mistaken for deer

An Australian teenager was shot dead while out on a hunting trip after his friend mistook him for a deer.

The 19-year-old victim was hunting with his brother and a friend in dense bushland when he was shot dead in Noorongong in Victoria's north late Sunday afternoon.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the teenager had become separated from the group and his friend fired upon him in fading light.

The teenager died at the scene.

"It is believed one of the men mistook him for a deer and fired a fatal shot at his companion. It's an accidental shooting at this stage. No one has been charged and police that are investigating have not indicated that any charges will be laid," The Age quoted the spokesperson as saying.

It took the police and ambulance officers nearly an hour and a half to trek to the remote property.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said when paramedics arrived the teenager had already died. Others at the scene were treated for shock.

Colin Wood, from the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria), said: "It's very, very unfortunate. It seems in this case the target has not been adequately identified. If there's any doubt, you can't take a shot. It's as simple as that."

He said the men were probably hunting for sambar deer.