The Albury man, in his 70s known as Jim, was at his regular shooting spot when he slipped on a rock leaving him with a suspected broken ankle.

He had gone to the Sirls Road property about 4pm Saturday, but when he wasn't home by his 10pm return time his partner raised the alarm.

Resident Cameron Sirl was part of the search party and said he was the “lucky” one who found him.

“I went up there on the quad bike about 4am,” he said.

“It was icy, it was really cold and there was really thick fog.

“He was in great spirits, though when I found him.

“He said he was singing out and could see cars going up and down, but we couldn't hear him.

“He could hear my bike and thought I was leaving so he fired a shot.

“When I heard the gun go off I knew he was alive – thank god he was alive.”

About 10 Tallangatta SES members, CFA personnel, police and neighbours made up the search party.

A CFA thermal imaging camera was reading temperatures of minus five degrees at the time of the rescue.

Jim injured himself about 5.30pm and was taken to hospital at 6am Sunday.

Mr Sirl said there was ice covering his gun and his boots.

“He only had two bullets left, he had to time it well,” he said.

“It was patient of him to know we were looking, but to wait for the right time.

“He goes up there regularly and he's never had a problem, he's a lovely guy.”

Bethanga and district CFA captain John Northey said Jim was dressed in warm hiking gear, but had lost his torch when he became stranded.

“He said he dragged himself down the hill to a point where he could see the road,” he said.

“The CFA and the SES worked together for a good outcome.”

Tallangatta SES controller Jean Blackwell described his emotions.

“He was very cold, but he was in very good spirits,” she said.

“We brought him down on a stretcher and the Tallangatta ambulance arrived and took him to Albury hospital.

Fireman David Brown said Jim was “lucky to be alive”.