Hunters Comments

Santoft
It was a little disappointing to see other people on the block. Motor bikes, people with bikes, walking dogs, forest workers, people going for a walk. Its amazing to see these deer living in such a busy environment.
(I believe they could handle the out skirts of Auckland but not the CBD. Or could the blend in?)

Santoft
Mate shot a hind that we thought was an older animal by its size. However vet confirmed only 2/3 years. Hate to try and drag a fully grown hind.
(Next you'll tell us how steep and ugly the terrain was. Couldn't hunt easier country yet we still find hunters not prepared to remove all usable meat)

Santoft
Thanks for the opportunity to hunt Sambar. One thing puzzles me. Plenty of sign seen, tracks and tree damage but no animals or droppings seen. How do large deer manage that? Has someone issued vanishing cream and pooper scoopers?? Thanks for the hard work and helpful comments. They were appreciated by a first time hunter.
(What do you mean "issued vanishing cream" they invented it. Pleased you enjoyed yourself)

Santoft
Amazing deer. I feel truly privileged to have had the chance to have hunted them. Needless to say I never claimed one of these beasts. A special thanks to Ernslaw One personal for the information and to the SDMF for their organisation and diligence in keeping this opportunity available.
(Great to read these comments from a Rotorua hunter where Sambar do not enjoy that same status)

Santoft
After trying for 7 or 8 years my friend Wayne won a ballot. We put the hours in on research and it paid off with Wayne shooting a stag on the last day. Great day. As good as winning a gold medal. Thanks to SDMF
(I know the feeling because it happens for me just watching these great animals)

Santoft
Thanks to the Foundation and Ernslaw One for the opportunity. Most enjoyable and frustrating. Medium numbers in a couple of areas.Found hunting hard with steers in block and deer breaking cover at last minute!! Had one shot and missed a hind but learnt a lot about these "cunning monsters" and will be back.
(Another Rotorua hunter lucky in the ballot. Says a lot for the Rotorua herd)

Santoft
I was lucky enough to go hunting with my father on his permit for Santoft 5. The weather was not the best, heavy rain on both days. Unfortunately I found more sign of the soldiers training during the week than I did of Sambar. I did find a poached 3 pointer. All the same it was great to have a chance. Thanks to SDMF, Craig Ferguson, Ian Fitchett and Rob from Ernslaw One.
(Good on you dad for taking your son hunting. We need the young to take over from us old fellas)

Private Land
Would suggest dogs be permitted to assist by flushing deer also to help track should a deer be wounded.
(Dogs are a no/no. I could write a chapter on the reasons why. No doubt you could write one on the reason for them)

Private Land
It took 15 years of hunting to get all the other species of NZ big game animals. It then took 20 years to pick up a Sambar. In the end the hunt was over in about 90 minutes. A little bit of luck goes a long way.
(The Sambar was worth the wait. Lucky to hunt private as well)

Private Land
Saw A lot of deer and got some video. HOT TIP. Don't leave your rifle in front of your Land Cruiser resting against the bull bar as I did. Talked to the farmer for an hour, had lunch and then drove off. One smashed Sako .270. Lucky it was the last weekend.
(TAKE NOTE: It was a well loved and cared for rifle with quite a history. )

Tangimoana
A challenging block. Plenty of sign, found 6 wallows, 3 scrapes and 6 beds. The deer seem to be able to make themselves invisible.
(You obviously did the hard yards. Just got to be patient)

Waitarere
The deer did not want to play and the fallen trees were rotten. You try to be as quiet as possible and you are until you stand on them then everything knows you are there
(The deer were playing. Its just that they play this game every day of the season and win most of the time)

Waitarere
Had a great weekend even though we didn't see anything. 3rd time lucky perhaps. Good to have had a chat with the guys from the Sambar Foundation.
(Like wise the guys from the Foundation like to catch up with the hunters)

Harakeke
First time out hunting Sambar. Very elusive animals but will be keen to have another go next year. A weekend is not long enough.
(With only a weekend to hunt, proves just how valuable research and a prior visit to the block is)

Harakeke
Like to report on the professional manner in which the whole exercise is conducted. Invaluable info passed on by Dave Garner and Ian Fitchett. Unsuccessful this time but Daves knowledge put me in the right area. Thanks to you all.
(No guarantees given. Would like to but we know Sambar)

Harakeke
Lots of animals - just too slow. How do these animals just vanish. I came across the 4 hinds and 4 yearlings in one group where I was not expecting them. After 2 alarm calls from a hind they trotted off over a dune and disappeared!!
(Sambar do that. Pop up in places they shouldn't be and then disappear like they weren't there in the first place)

Harakeke
Block could be better marked so do not end up in next block.
(One of the reasons research is advised is that time isn't wasted finding the block boundary during hunting time)

Tangimoana
They are cunning, big bastards and are hard to see.
(That about sums up Sambar)

Tangimoana
No shortage of deer but frustratingly difficult to get a clear shot. I had decided only to shoot a stag. How ever after many years of trying for a ballot and finally getting one I wasn't going home empty handed. A hind is better than nothing.
(A sad fact is not enough hinds are taken each season. Good management requires hinds to be taken in some areas more than others)

Waitarere
Only 1 animal seen, spiker which I shot. I used the full 25 hours to get him and in the end it was more luck than anything. The sign was freshest in the 5 m pines. The thinning meant there was plenty of cover for the deer but visibility was still good. Hard stalking through the deadfall but this was where I scored him. Exciting stuff.
(Met this guy and was rapt when he rang at 8.30pm on Sunday. Deserved a deer as he traveled from Auckland and hunted every minute of daylight. Shot his deer in failing light with only minutes left, then spent hours recovering it)

Waitarere
Could the caliber restrictions be reviewed? Regulations based on energy more sensible eg I can't use my 25.06 which has more remaining energy at 300m than a (legal) 30.30 has at the muzzle. Had to build a 7X57. Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Thanks to SDMF and Rayonier.
(Not an argument to get into now but could be reviewed in the future. I know how you feel I'm a .222 man)

Private Land
Recommend that the bag limit be lifted to two deer. Hunters are hanging out for a stag and are leaving other animals. The numbers of reasonable stags is diminishing leaving a higher proportion of hinds and young. By increasing the limit to two would take pressure off the stags and create a better balance in the population.
(As I mention often not enough hinds and young animals are taken in some areas. I am not convinced that a bag limit of two deer would help. Those hunters turning down hinds now are trophy hunters and are unlikely to take a hind first and risk the chance of a trophy. Once a trophy stag is taken they are probably unlikely to continue to hunt for a hind as one has all the deer one can handle. There must be another means of enticing hunters to take hinds in over populated areas. Do we issue hinds only licences?)

Private Land
The hunting is very difficult. Plenty of sign seen but few deer. It was only by prior scouting that hunt was successful. I LIKE the concept of Management and a season.
(The concept could work for other herds and hopefully one day will)

Harakeke
No sign, no animals but enjoyed the chance to look.
(Same forest as last few comments. You find them or you don't)

Moutoa
Thanks for the opportunity to hunt Moutoa.
(Not much to say for a guy who takes a 26" stag. Sorry we couldn't hang around and help get him out)

Moutoa
I really enjoyed the opportunity to hunt the block and was impressed with the foundations management and planning.
(There's plenty of room for willing helpers - esp locals)

Moutoa
A very enjoyable days hunting. There was lots of sign but seeing a deer was a different story. I think we were a bit lucky to shoot a stag. The numbers in the block were not as much as we were lead to believe but there are still some. Thank you for a great day.
(The fact that they are hard to see makes assessing numbers in any block difficult)

Moutoa
Wish I could shoot straight!
(Good reason for following up after shooting. Several animals were found dead and wasted. One was found out in the open and should have been found by the hunter. Not necessarily one shot at by this hunter!)

Round Bush
Really enjoyed the hunt. Tricky little block to hunt. Saw little sign during research but plenty during the hunt. Stalked almost on top of a hind on Saturday. Got to know the block pretty well by Sunday. Saw 6 pheasant and bird life was amazing. Thanks to Foundation members for the advice.
(Its a small block in a heavily populated area - Amazing that it even holds deer - only Sambar could possible do that)

Tangimoana
Very little fresh sign. Concentrated in one area and walked for miles zig-zagged across all hunting area. Too many moto-X bikes. In one area spotted 9 going along one track. Also spotlighting going on at night. All up not very good hunting.
(The deer are there but are well educated by all the activity)

Tangimoana
An enjoyable and unique experience after waiting so long trying for a ballot. Thanks for the opportunity. Hell they are big when they leave from under your feet.
(You can see what they mean when told they will sit tight and watch you walk past. Some only leave their hiding place at the last moment)

Private Land
At least as many deer were spooked as seen. The one I shot had been wounded several weeks earlier but was recovering. Only part of the carcass was taken for dog tucker. I still don't know if Sambar is good for eating as some say. I'll have to win another ballot and find out next time.
(You'll love the venison, trust me)

Santoft
A note on the application form re possible taxidermist cost and who to talk to would be a great assistance. A very well organised committee and Foundation.
(If someone would like to write a small piece about Taxidermists for the news letter it would be welcome - We'll stick to Sambar management)

Santoft
Deer sign was localised hence the necessity for research before the hunt.
(Research that resulted in a stag)

Santoft
Plenty of sign. Animals seem to be very nocturnal! but God knows where they go during the day as we never saw or spooked any.
(They are not nocturnal but use the cover of darkness to their advantage. During the day they use the cover provided by natural vegetation or mans crops such as pines)