A proud father has shared a photograph of his eight-year-old daughter biting a deer's heart after she shot dead her first animal, sparking outrage on social media.

New Zealand father Johnny Yuile​ and his daughter went on a hunting trip in bushland at Makapua Station in Hawke's Bay earlier this month.

Standing up to 40 metres from her target, the little girl used her father's Remington 7mm-08 rifle to gun down the young stag.

The father - who is a police officer - shared an image of his daughter taking a bite out of the warm quivering heart - a hunting ritual to honour someone's first deer kill.

A man has shared a photograph of his eight-year-old daughter (pictured) biting a deer's heart after she shot it dead with a hunting gun, sparking outrage on social media

Proud father Johnny Yuile (pictured) smiling with his daughter after she shot her first deer

'Proud of this pink ninja princess shot her first deer (a young stag) all by herself in the bush she stalked in and made a tricky shot down hill,' Mr Yuile said.

'Then she took a bite from its warm quivering heart.'

His daughter told NZ Stuff she thought the deer's heart 'tasted quite nice'. She said she felt inspired to take part in the hunting tradition after watching her uncle do the same thing.

'I thought it was really cool because I like hunting with my dad and we can get some meat for my family,' the young girl said.

In another image, the proud father was pictured smiling next to his daughter as they posed with the bloodied deer just moments after shooting it dead.

Mr Yuile said he has taught his daughter the seven basic steps on how to use the firearm safely when they go hunting.

The New Zealand police officer said he usually hunts for meat for his family

The father enjoys hunting with his daughter - a bond they've shared since she was a toddler

His Facebook post has been met with mixed responses, with many congratulating the youngster on her first kill while others slammed the father.

Despite his post attracting critics, Mr Yuile has defended his photos, claiming he was unfazed by the outrage - but he understood why people felt offended.

He believed critics were not used to growing up around hunting.

The father, who usually hunts for meat for his family, said he enjoys hunting with his daughter - a bonding experience they've shared since she was a toddler.

'This is just the first time she has shot a deer. She's been coming out with me since she was eight months' old with a front pack,' Mr Yuile said.