A man has been shot dead after aiming a bow and arrow at police who were conducting a concern for welfare check on a rural property in central NSW.

Officers were called to the home on Quia Road in Gunnedah, about 75 kilometres west of Tamworth, on Friday afternoon. They were speaking to the man outside the home before he went back inside and re-emerged with the bow and arrow.

Police said the man pointed the bow and arrow at them as they retreated behind their vehicle and an officer discharged their gun.

Paramedics treated the man for a gunshot wound, but he died at the scene.

A critical incident team from State Crime Command’s homicide squad will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command with oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

It comes almost five months after two Victorian police officers were shot dead on a rural property in that state’s alpine region.

The alleged shooter Dezi Freeman has remained at large despite an exhaustive law enforcement effort to find him.

More to come

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