Hunters Comments

Santoft
Had a great trip. Thanks to the foundation and to Ernslaw One Ltd for the opportunity.
(Not enough thanks given to the Forest Companies for the access they give to the forest land. There wouldn't be much of a ballot without them)

Santoft
Took first day to find where they were and the next to figure out how to hunt them. Had a shot at the only still animal, unfortunately bullet hit a tree and missed. Next year!!!!
(You were lucky to see a still one. Please don't shoot the trees unless you have a good recipe you can share with us)

Santoft
Is there any way the red tape can be reduced?
(We've been working on it for years now. I thing that we have done fairly good up to now. Its a slow business with so few people to do it)

Santoft
A very big block. We would have had one if my mate could shoot straight. The oldest story of all.
(This wasn't the one that stood in the middle of the road was it? I believe at least two hunters shot at stags on the road in this block and missed!)

Harakeke
Not a lot of sign - what there was was on the northern boundary. There was none near the sea. In the northern area there seems to be sign of a stag, a younger animal and a hind. Despite not seeing a deer it was nice tramp. The only drawback was the flocks of trail bike riders.
(Forest Managers try to keep bike riders out as they damage the forest, but riders are persistent)

Private
The population appears to be increasing. For a successful harvest the rules must be changed. Hunting on private land should be permitted during the week. Dogs (finding & pointing) should be allowed.
(Yes we believe the rules must change. Let's wait and see what happens)

Private
There does not seem to be as many deer as previous years. I think poaching is a problem. A good thing would be to target the people who are buying them, with a video camera.
(We need help. Tell us who's buying and when. If we're not told we can't do anything)

Santoft
Excellent to finally get a ballot after many years of trying. Amazing how far a Sambar will run after what should have been a fatal shot. Finishing shot needed after a stag had run 600m with most of his internal organs taken out. 136kg on the hooks. Thanks for the opportunity - I'll be back!!
(Sambar can take an awful amount of lead. Quite a few have been taken already carrying old lead)

Round Bush
While researching block found dead deer beside the road. Apparently it nearly wrote off the car which hit it!
(Not the only deer on this road. See "From A Monitors Diary")

Santoft
We spooked 5 deer over the 2 days. Too fast for us. 3 were as close as 10 meters!. They can move bloody quick.
(You found what you were looking for by the sound of it)

Santoft
Make season longer to reduce population. Encourage all hunters to shoot first deer they see.. Ballot winners get two consecutive weekends as this would make hunting more effective. Year round bow hunting as there is less safety issue with a bow.
(Year round hunting or longer season cannot happen until the Gazette notice is changed. A bit of red tape that we need to negotiate)

Santoft
Shot 1 Feral cat on skid road. Bush was very dry and deer were too quick, could be heard crashing away. Great to have the opportunity for a hunt. Much appreciated even though missed out. Many thanks for the assistance from Craig Ferguson.
(Feral Pheasant eater wont be missed. CraigÕs a top man)

Santoft
Great block. Saw plenty of sign & deer, mostly by accident. While hunting was difficult we thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and felt that maybe either an extended hunting season on the forest or longer ballot weekends may help to manage the herd. Saw a red stag while there too & of course we were very pleased with our stag. There were quite a few unaccounted for rifle shots heard especially as the hunters in the next block were bow hunters.
(More monitors would help. No shortage of people wanting to hunt but very few wanting to help)

Santoft
I would like to thank the Sambar Foundation for giving me the chance to hunt Sambar after seven years of trying for a block. The Foundation is very well organised and well oiled. Who said hunting Sambar is hard, they are there.
(See story "Bat Flattery")

Private
Great to finally hunt these cunning buggers after a couple of years trying to get a ballot block. Finally found some private land to hunt. Unfortunately I was unable to get a shot at these beasts. Thanks to all the SDMF for all the work they put into helping us hunters have a go. I was at the live ballot draw and felt sorry for you guys with all the Dick Heads arguing with you. Just know not all of us hunters are like that. Once again cheers for all the great work and info given.
(Thanks for the vote of support)

Santoft
An extended bow hunting season should be considered. Some areas could be designated bows only to minimise noise to locals.
(A bow hunting block may happen in the future)

Harakeke
Would like 3 days to hunt them. Took a couple of days to suss them out. Reckon would have shot one on a third day. But all good fun. Thanks for the chance.
(Goes to show how much researching your block counts. If you can spend as much time as possible having a look)

Moutoa
An excellent example of deer management. Still having trouble getting my head around how such a young animal can be so large. Thanks to all the hard workers from the SDMF. I'll be back.
(Any Sambar taken with a bow and arrow is special. Estimated to be between 4 and 5 months old. Would like to know how heavy it was)

Moutoa
Enjoyed taking to Warwick Beedell regarding hunting info and experiences. Enjoyed the hunt at Moutoa apart from the weather!. Would like to return, if it ever fines up, with my camera.
(BobÕs a hard man to catch in the field but catch him I did)

Moutoa
Lost stag
(This stag was head shot at close range. Hunter spent many hours searching with no luck. I believe this stag to be the same animal that was shot many kilometers away. Nigel ring WB)

Moutoa
Hind was carrying a calf and I estimate it would be due about November. I had this block once before 3 years ago. Quite a shock to find the swamp so dry. It is really draining now and I wonder how long it will be before the rest is put into farmland. Plenty of deer there still. Thank you for the opportunity, this was my first Sambar.
(I hope this Block will be there for a long time. Together we will fight to keep it as it is - Ours!)

Round Bush
This is a very small block, easily covered. It looks like they move between the pine block and the reserve. Is there any likelihood of adding the pine block to the hunting area. It is very easy to determine whether the deer are in the reserve or not. The only promising area was the north end in the swamp by the farm. We spent 4 hours hunting this area but the deer had moved out.
(With the replanting this Block should improve. Sorry but the pines (and gorse) are private)

Santoft
You should change the name from Sambar to Ghosts. I was impressed on how they moved.
(Wonder why hunters get hooked on Sambar)

Santoft
Being first weekend I had a good chance. Needed some luck unfortunately I had none. Got very close to three animals. Sambar very much like Sika, use the high ground and rest up with a view. Still hunting would sort these buggers out but not my style. Fantastic weekend I feel very privileged and thank you to the Foundation for this opportunity given to me.
(Right place and right time maybe still hunting might work but I don't call that hunting either)

Santoft
I'd like to thank the people of the SDMF who make it possible for people like me from outside the area to come down and learn about these amazing animals. So far its 2 rounds to the Sambar and 0 to me, but I'm hooked.
(Maybe third time lucky. Keep trying)

Tangimoana
SDMF should make public more aware that the Sambar hunt is in progress and that hunters will be in the block. Very disappointed to find so many on my block. The count 24 people, 9 horses, 1 dog, 10 motorbikes, 6 vehicles and no deer. Maybe signs on the forest roads would help. Otherwise thanks for the chance.
(The ballot blocks are on public land. It is difficult to keep them out. Warning signs do get put up but they are removed almost faster than we can replace them)

Tangimoana
Great block for my first Sambar hunt. Easy rolling ridge with good cover for Sambar. Deer were just a little too quick. Thank you for this opportunity to hunt.
(Keep trying. Try a bit of out of season research)

Waitarere
Good fun, something different. Country not difficult to hunt but the deer obviously are! Enough seen to whet the appetite - will try again next year.
(Southland has got nothing like this. Please try aging this year)

Waitarere
Very enjoyable apart from the access gate being locked the first morning. Thanks to Warwick and Ian for the hunting tips.
(Sorry about the gate. Bit of a misunderstanding that was sorted out as quick as we could)

Waitarere
Next time I'll take a clairvoyant. It is the best way to contact ghosts! Good fun but no luck.
(As did we trying to find him)

Waitarere
To hunt another deer was enjoyable and the Sambar is a special deer which I must hunt again. I was pleased with my block which held deer but I must learn that they are sure different to any other deer I have hunted.
(Not only are Sambar different, they live in the crappy stuff we're not used to hunting in)

Waitarere
I am lucky to have tried my luck with many things from a Canadian Moose to Viet Cong. But nothing gave a bigger thrill or prepared me for the sight of a great stag on day 1. He was hidden behind some lupins and when I went to make a shot, yes. he was gone. Found 4 others and put them up but never saw one of them. A very good block indeed in my mind. Keep up the good work.
(All the way from South Westland. We tried to catch up with you but you were busy hunting. Guess that's what you came up for)

Waitarere
It was obvious that the block receives more hunting pressure than the six week ballot period. Animals were extremely wary.
(You would be wary too if you had been hounded for three months by hungry pheasant hounds. They know all about people)

Santoft
In the compartment we hunted deer sign was general. Deer seemed in small numbers in most areas although they moved easily to the next compartment. Had a problem with poachers not only in our block but a shot was heard within the actual compartment we were in. Time to retreat.
(Both hunters on this party took an animal. Thanks chaps)

Santoft
Had a great time, some fresh prints. Glimpsed the back end of one on full afterburner. Had a good chat with Craig Ferguson. Was on the block both mornings before the sparrows had a chance to wipe the sleep out of their eyes. Found a fresh gut bag on Sunday morning bloody poachers. Thanks to all the Foundation for all your great work. I will be back.
(Sounds like you had a good time. Isn't that what hunting is all about)

Santoft
In the unpruned young pines some bark had been stripped so recently that gum had not started to ooze. Deer prints from adult to fawns seen on sand tracks. No sightings but a new and different experience very different conditions to hunting Fallow in Woodhill.
(You have to forget hunting other species. Sambar know all the tricks and more)

Private
This years animal was the best eating of any species I have shot.
(It's been like bashing my head on a brick wall telling hunters what good eating Sambar venison is. Nice to know someone else agrees)

Waitarere
After seeing the size of the block it would be better to have 2 hunters to one licence if they were part of the same team
(If deer numbers increase a two hunter system would be used)

Waitarere
Good numbers of deer present but some clown planted trees amongst them. Close planting and prunings make stalking very difficult. Time spent familiarising with block (position of knolls, ridges, clearings etc) essential.
("No cover, No deer" Thanks to that 'Clown' who planted the trees)

Private
cost + $1000 worth of brownie points with the Misses.
(That's a hell of a lot of flowers and chocolate)

Private
For the health of the herd two deer should be able to be taken. 1 stag and 1 hind.
(or take another hunter with you so that they too have an opportunity)

Private
Excellent weekend, sign everywhere but I only managed to spook them. Very impressed with the professional approach of the SDMF. Good hunting tips and that was where they were. Would it be ethical to attach bells to the stags?
(Bells! hmmm sounds good (excuse the pun) Would you like to write us a more detailed proposal)

Private
Recommend allow to shoot a hind and a stag otherwise most people shoot nothing as only go for a head.
(Land owners can allow hunter to shoot hinds only if numbers are a problem. There are hunters out there willing to do this. If you cannot find any contact the Foundation who will help)

Private
Deer only lived within a few patches of native in the block, They had walked through the open pines but I feel that this would be to open for them. Only spooked one hind in thick cover. Would have to say not value for money.
(I have seen a lot of video taken in that area. Plenty of deer and some very good trophy stags as well)

Private
The stag was my first 6 pointer and it took a while to sink in. Awesome experience. Such a beautiful animal. Thanks to land owner and the SDMF.
(When you go out again please remember we have to leave the odd good one to breed)

Private
6am to 6.30pm is a bit restrictive. Should be 5.30am to 7.00pm esp for the last two weekends. Missed the most productive times.
(It won't happen this year but this is one of the rules that is being changed)

Private
There is a very nice stag living on this block. This is as good an animal as I have seen anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. I left him for another year or two - didn't have the wish to kill such a magnificent breeding animal.
(Sounds like you're my kind of hunter. We need more like you and we would end up with more trophy animals)

Private
I note an imbalance of males to females. Has the Foundation ever considered setting permit requirement that would require a hunter to shoot a female before being eligible to shoot a stag. ie Herd Management. I don't think that Sambar venison is as coveted as a set of antlers hence every male sighted is shot at.
(You are hunting on private land. Talk to the land owner and help them manage the deer you hunt. You could set an example and take a hind. The Foundation could assist if assistance is needed)