I've just posted this on the Aussie hunting forum but thought a couple of the people I know here might be interested as well.

I managed to get in a few days hunting while home in Australia a couple of weeks ago. Shot two dingoes, and a small Sambar stag on the last morning more or less in the last gully I was seriously hunting. I'd been hunting hard for the previous 4 days in productive country but without much luck. So while this guy is pretty small, he was well earned (and he taste good too ).

You can shoot sambar in Australia? Hmmmmm . . .

Weidmannsheil, Stu! Good effort!
- mike

Stu,
Nice Stag, and nice hat.
Tell us what rifle and bullet, etc.

quote:

Nice Stag, and nice hat.
Tell us what rifle and bullet, etc.

You like my hat? Thanks.

The rifle is a re-barrelled Sako M591 in 308. Ammo was plain jane 150gr Winchester Power-Points.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
You can shoot sambar in Australia? Hmmmmm . . .

OldSarge

Absolutely. There are thousands of sambar in the Victoria alps. Want to give it a try one day? ...

Let's take a look at the schedule. Due to financial considerations, these things have to be spaced over several years. However,
2006: Natal for some unfinished business with zebra, etc.
2008: Kalahari for springbok and gemsbok with some birdshooting thrown in for good measure.
2010: Hmmmm . . . A jaunt down under for both buffalo and some otherwise unavailable deer species with New Calidonia for a side trip is very appealing. And who knows? Perhaps a lottery ticket might speed up the process.

Congratulations.
Looks like a nice body too, how much did he weigh?
BTW was this a DIY public land effort?

@Stu

Waidmannsheil – nice Stag. Those hunts are the most memorable hunts ever, especially when you have to fight for it…

Good shooting and good hunting
Collani

Nitro X,
I hunted Sambar in the Gatta area of Victoria a few years back and it was a really tough hunt. I had taken a big Red Stag earlier and wanted a Sambar to match it. We were so close to the Stags that we could smell them but never got a clear shot. I lost 20 pounds trying to stay up with my Aussie mates. Great time though!!!

Hawkeye47

quote:

Sambar in the Gatta area of Victoria a few years back and it was a really tough hunt. I had taken a big Red Stag earlier and wanted a Sambar to match it. We were so close to the Stags that we could smell

Hawkeye,
This was my 3rd hunt for sambar in the past 4 years. First hunt was a bust. My experience was exactly as you described. I could hear deer moving off through the bush but no way to see them.

Last year I shot a spiker out in the middle of a padock at 7 in the morning. Must have been the most stupid sambar in existance. Then this last hunt looked like it was going the way of the first when I stumbled upon the little guy I posted above. The "last hour" stag!
- Stu

quote:

Originally posted by Hawkeye47:
Nitro X,
I hunted Sambar in the Gatta area of Victoria a few years back and it was a really tough hunt. I had taken a big Red Stag earlier and wanted a Sambar to match it. We were so close to the Stags that we could smell them but never got a clear shot. I lost 20 pounds trying to stay up with my Aussie mates. Great time though!!!

Hawkeye47

I didn't say it was easy! Want to see a photo of my trophy sambar? Well it would be difficult as he is still alive and running around somewhere. It is a lifetime goal of many hunters to take a really good sambar stag and for those that only can make an annual week hunt (rather than a weekend hunt) it can take many many years. Almost free and easy access though if one is fit to walk in.