A Hastings hunter has admitted killing a young soldier and injuring another man in the Ruahine Ranges.

Gary McCurrach has pleaded guilty at the Hastings District Court to careless use of a rifle, causing the death of 23 year old Danny Jordan.

The 58 year old's also admitted to injuring another man and unlawful hunting, during the same incident in March.

Danny Jordan, a soldier based at Linton Military Camp, was sitting down in open bush resting with two friends on the Sparrowhawk bivouac track when he was shot.

McCurrach was 42 metres away when he fired the shot, believing he saw two red deer through his scope.

Danny Jordan was hit in the neck and died instantly.

McCurrach will be sentenced in September.