Hunter Comments

Moutoa Thank you for the opportunity to once again hunt the mighty Sambar. Keep the good work - up so all New Zealanders can continue to have the opportunity to hunt this magnificent species.

Moutoa Wonderful days hunting - totally new and unique experience. Shot hind because she had a broken rear leg. Bullet shattered bone just above hock. Fairly fresh wound
(Many thanks for taking the wounded animal. This animal had been wounded by a poacher 24hr before. We do appreciate hunters that use their licence to take a sick or deformed animals.)

Moutoa Moutoa is a great block. Hunting quality was probably down a bit as my hunt was on the last day of the season & all animals seen were in deep cover. Spent equal time up cabbage tree & into the flax. Saw all game in the flax fairly close to the edge but didn’t take a shot as animals were flushed at point blank range & certain shot placement could not be taken. I’m sure some of the dead animals seen in the block are the result of a quick shot not well placed that wounds & the animal dies later. There is so much sign it would be easy to lose an animal in the heavy cover. If I had the block again I would swap my bolt action scope sighted rifle for a short barreled carbine with peep or open sights and concentrate on the boundary edges of the flax & the little clearings within the flax.
(Fair comment. Only stalk more slowly and don’t spook them.)

Private Land Stags were young, not shoot able. Looking forward to another chance.
(Good Attitude.)

Private Land “Have gun loaded at all times as they are any where” I pulled the trigger on the best stag I have seen in six years of hunting Sambar. Alas not loaded & only 100 yards from where vehicle was parked.
(Do you really think he would have been standing there if you had a loaded rifle. Don’t give up, learn from your mistakes. Not a bad as the guy who left his bolt at home.)

Private Land We tried hard in our block. We found out where deer were. All deer we saw had seen us first and were departing at speed. We could not reverse this situation and find deer before they saw us. Thank you for the opportunity & we will have to improve our skills to get a deer next time.
(Patience - its all part of the learning curve.)

Private Land Damn cunning critters - Stags harder to hunt than Sika.
(Sika come down by the bus load to learn the art of being cunning from Sambar.)

Private Land I would like to thank all the people concerned for the information re phone calls etc. Great to get a chance to hunt for Sambar as its getting pretty hard in regards to the ballot as there’s a higher percentage of applicants each year. Spent all weekend hunting in scrub etc. no problem - get all ready to leave Sunday night in dark - Jesus - spent the next 1/2hr driving up & down paddock trying to locate exit gate - had a hell of a laugh - hunters my arse!
(WHAT! No signs or arrows to follow.)

Private Land The area I was shooting had a lot of fresh sign each day but I think they moved out each morning early. Next year I hope to have a relief milker so I can get top the block earlier and catch them before they leave.
(Let you into a secret. The relief milker will be the easy one.)

Private Land Pays to do your homework. Many thanks for all the help in the past on ballot blocks. Four years of learning over in 1.5 hours
(I’ve always said do your homework to get results. Pleased to hear some took the advise.)

Private Land “Time Hunted” - Divorce Material, “Research Time” - Same Caught “him” on film and video before the season. Hunted for him most all season. Saw all other stags in the area plus every other deer but never sighted him. Lucky, cunning, sly, or just moved out of area? Gave up looking on afternoon of 21 Sept and took my mate out to another spot and he got his first Sambar all good stuff!
(Get a baby sitter, take the wife out for a romantic dinner as it is all about to start again!)

Private Land On opening morning got out of truck and walked 100m, looked below me a deep gully and here were 4 deer. I think the hind was on heat as stag keeping close & fawn at side & the lesser stag keeping about chain back. If I had had my own rifle he was mine but circumstances meant I had to borrow a rifle, & very heavy job which I couldn’t get scope right. While I spent some time trying to settle they walked behind a tree so I thought I had better have a go at the lessor one standing back.
(Unfortunately the only blood was from a head wound caused by the scope on the eye brow.)

Private Land I have not been able to find out too much info on Sambar Deer and the best techniques for hunting them. Whilst I enjoyed it, I think they enjoyed it more! I would not mind paying for a video (or rent one?) or a book that goes into detail on their habits, signs to look for etc. I guess I’m a pretty basic hunter! I need educating on Sambar!
(First time that someone has admitted that Sambar enjoy hunting. They do. Don’t know of a video yet. We’re all waiting. As for info don’t ring Warwick as he will talk for an hour or more, esp on your toll call, bore you to tears and/or confuse you even more. and sometimes give you good advise!)

Round Bush Heard at least 2 - Suggest you consider allowing the ballot winner to nominate another 1 or 2 hunters who can accompany him and shoot. This would be a similar arrangement to the Fallow deer ballot in Auckland.
(Rule is one hunter per block. A companion is allowed but must not carry a rifle. Previous hunters in Round Bush often feel that 1 hunter is to much!)

Tangimoana Block was well grazed from cattle. Sign was found only in one corner. Amazed at the lack of movement. I had success - shot a trophy stag. First time I’ve ever seen a Sambar. Lucky I’ve a chiller at home for such a large quantity of meat. A great weekend. I’ve had my shot - now others can have theirs - good luck and thanks to all those involved in setting the ballots up. You made me fell like I’ve won a million bucks! - 191 4/8 DS
(Sambar hunting can be frustrating and plain hard work. I’ve always said a bit of luck also helps. This guy should be called Mr Lucky. Very few first timers even see a Sambar.)

Tangimoana I did see a trophy stag when researching. Many thanks for all the effort the Sambar Foundation put in.
(Same thing happens when you carry a camera. They seem to beg to be shot or photographed when you haven't got the required equipment.)

Tangimoana After hearing a large stag had been shot on this block & from seeing plenty of fresh sign when checking my block I was looking forward towards a good weekend. Unfortunately a large herd of cattle had been put into the forest approx a week before & the deer had moved out. I feel that I paid my money, did my bit & was let down by the SDMF. It should be their responsibility in letting farmers & forest owners in on what's happening. So I will not be thanking the SDMF for a job well done, as it wasn’t.
(All forest managers and lessees of the land we use in the ballot KNOW what is going on. I guess that this one falls into the category of “You cannot please everyone.”)

Waitarere I would estimate that there would be up to 30 deer on this block with up to 8 stags carrying hinds. There had been rain before the week-end and fresh sign was quite evident. I have marked map as to where the stags are. I take this opportunity to again thank Ian Fitchett and Warwick Beedell for their time and effort in assisting to try to find the wounded animal. I had a most enjoyable time and would recommend the experience for anyone. Thank you “Management Foundation” well done.

Waitarere I was lead to believe that the Sambar in Waitarere block were causing lots of damage and the Forestry Co would like the numbers cut back. If this is so I feel that a permit should allow you and a companion to carry a rifle each. It is common safe hunter practice to hunt with a companion. It would be less dangerous than being there by yourself and a lot more practical when planning your hunt.
(I shudder at the thought. Waitarere Forest with six blocks equals 12 rifles. We already have problems with “lost” hunters and with more rifles it would even be worse. Myself I prefer to chase Sambar on my own and usually advise others to do like wise. You’ll see more deer.)