The NSW Environment Minister has ordered a freeze on culling operations in the Snowy Mountains after a pair of hikers was almost killed.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has come under fire this week after the controversial slaughter of a herd of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park.

The bodies were discovered by an unwitting bushwalker, who came across a trail of blood on a public hiking trail.

The department’s tight-lipped approach to the culling operations has led to serious concern the shootings risk harming members of the public.

Brett, who owns accommodation in the Snowy Mountains told Ray it took almost an hour to have a shooting called off when it came dangerously close to bushwalkers earlier this year.

Two guests who were staying at his cabins were seen leaving for a hike not long before an aerial shooting of deer unexpectedly commenced in February.

When Brett called NPWS to alert them of people in the area, it took more than 45 minutes for the shooters to cease the operation.

“They were petrified, of course, said they’d literally been hiding underneath a tree and the shots were firing up dirt five metres from where they were standing,” Brett said.

Press PLAY below to hear the terrifying ordeal retold 

“They don’t tell anyone for ‘operational reasons’, they don’t tell anyone and someone will be killed,” Ray said.

“Dominic Perrottet will get that audio and if you don’t do something today, you’re weak as piss.”

Environment Minister James Griffin told Ray Hadley he’s ordered a review into public safety after hearing Brett’s call on The Ray Hadley Morning Show.

“The issue raised is obviously concerning.

“That’s obviously not anything anyone wants to experience … and I’ve spoken to the head of the Department and we’ll get onto working out what’s happened there.”

On the brumby cull, Minister Griffin said the RSPCA found there was no animal cruelty as a result of the slaughter.

Press PLAY below to hear the Minister’s reaction 

Image: Mick Tsikas – Pool/Getty Images