I recently became aware that here in Texas, Sambar deer can be hunted on exotic ranches and free range.
https://www.huntsintexas.com/s...deer-hunts-in-texas/
Just one of many outfitters offering such hunts.

Also by drawing on state managed properties:
https://texashuntingtimes.com/...orn-wma-sambar-deer/

SO the $64 question - are Sambar good to eat?
If they are good table fare, how do they compare to elk and red deer?

We have friends in Australia that hunt Sambar a lot and they are about the same as Elk food wise. Any animal like a deer , elk, sambar, are fine to eat. To quote one old mountain man, Meat's meat.

I hunted Sambar when I lived in Australia. They are the primary endemic deer species south of Sydney to the coast. With a spattering of reds, fallow, rusa and hog deer.

They are very edible!

I have applied for the hunt in Texas that TWPD manages. No luck on the draw.

The game ranches get $7000-12000 for them.