An animal rescue volunteer claims his life was threatened and he was verbally abused by a group of archers in a Hunter Valley national park yesterday while he was searching for a lost dog.

Vice-President of the Society of Companion Animal Rescuers, David Atwell, says he was in the park near Elrington looking for the dog, when a group three archers threatened to kill him if he did not leave the area.

The incident has been reported to both local police and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Mr Atwell says he was also concerned that at no stage did he see any signage indicating archers were in the area.

"We found a small group of archers who were at the location we were looking round and they threatened on several occasions that they would kill me if I did not leave the location," he said.

"He used the F-word so many times I can't remember, and yes I was threatened that I would be killed probably at least 10 or 12 times."

Mr Atwell is questioning the safety of allowing hunting in national parks in the wake of the incident.

He says he was stunned by their threatening behaviour, particularly because he was on public land.

"I have contacted the local office of the national parks.

"There is some confusion as to whether or not there is a permit for this.

"Although I find that to be quite disconcerting given the behaviour of these archers and the legislation in question allowing hunting in national parks.

"If this is going to be the behaviour of these people absolutely no way should there be hunting in national parks."

The National Parks and Wildlife Service says it is going to work with police and a nearby archery club to investigate the claims.