Sambar Deer (Cervus Unicolor)
The Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor)
There are 16 sub-species of Sambar Deer throughout South East Asia. The New Zealand and Australian wild Sambar Deer herds are derived from the large bodied Sri Lankan sub-species. Introduced from Ceylon, India in 1875, this species will only do well in warmer climates and therefore Sambar hunting is limited to the North Island and the warmer regions of Manawatu/Wanganui region, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.
After Wapiti, sambar are the second largest deer in New Zealand with a mature stag weighing 700+ lbs Their range in these areas is mostly on private land, mainly forestry blocks of indigenous and exotic forests to wetlands and farmland.The South Pacific is the only region in the world this species can be hunted. New Zealand trophies are the largest in the South Pacific. Sambar is a unique deer in that (unlike red, whitetails and other cervine species) they cannot be bred on farms to manipulate trophy quality, and they are ultra-sensitive to hunting pressure.
The Challenge of the Hunt
Sambar are known to possess the ability to live close to humans without being detected. Possessing a cunning nature, It is common for a stag to lie in thick brush, and let a hunter walk right by, moving off once the danger lessens thus ensuring a good challenge for the serious trophy hunter. Sambar are very wary and are typically seen in the open only during the very early dawn or at last light in the evening. They spend the rest of their time holed up in the thickest scrub forests you can imagine. Sambar are difficult to pattern and can be quite unpredictable, so trying to determine as to where they will be and when is very difficult. And on top of all of that lso, this deer does not bugle or make any other sounds during the rut. So, the key to hunting them successfully is spending a lot of time watching them.
Definitely one of the hardest New Zealand trophies to obtain but the large, heavy six point antlers are worth the effort
Typical Trophy
A mature Sambar trophy stag can weigh around 700 lbs, with the dense antler, making it a highly sought after South Pacific trophy. Bigger than a Red Deer in body size, a typical trophy will carry a 3×3 (6-point) rack and are usually heavily pearled. The antlers are very dense, and for this reason they are often sought after by both trophy hunters and knife makers all over the world.
Hunting Method
“Spot and Stalk” Long distance glassing and long-range shooting is an advantage. Also close bush stalking.
New Zealand Record
200 on the Douglas Score points system
Best Hunting Times
Sambar hunting runs April through December and the ‘Rut’ can fluctuate from May/August.
Hunting Method
Until recently they were protected, but the New Zealand Department of Conservation has now removed hunting regulations surrounding them, allowing them now to be hunted year round. We offer trophy hunting for Sambar on exclusive free range private land available in the South Pacific.
