A Supreme Court jury has found a man guilty of murdering another man with a hunting bow and arrow in East Gippsland.

Guy Newman from the East Gippsland town of Club Terrace admitted killing Trent McNamara at a Bairnsdale house in May 2011.

But he told the court Mr McNamara had rushed at him with a large knife and he had no choice but to shoot him.

The court heard the two men had been involved in a dispute over stolen tools before Mr McNamara's death.

The jury was told Newman wrapped Mr McNamara's body in blankets and took it to his parents' rural property before he went to police.

The jury deliberated for less than a day before reaching a verdict.

Newman will return to court on Thursday for a plea hearing before he is sentenced.