St. Vincent Island Sambar Hunting Part 3 by Chad Rischar

Parts 1 and 2 of this blog series on St. Vincent Island Sambar hunting have provided an introduction to this unique opportunity and an overview of logistical and location-based considerations like terrain, access, and Sambar habitat. The following discussion provides some tips on firearms, Sambar habits and associated hunting strategies, and a wrap up on how it went down. Did we harvest a Sambar deer? Continue reading to find out…

Firearm Selection and Considerations.

I upgraded my Thompson Center Hawken’s “kit” .45 caliber muzzleloader in advance of the hunt.  Essentially, I advanced the technology by decades with a solid and warranted purchase of a CVA Optima .50 caliber outfitted with a Leupold muzzleloader scope.  This was a substantial investment for me, but warranted, and a firearm I still respect today.

Once our limited entry quota hunt was drawn and a muzzleloader was the chosen weapon, I began searching for an upgraded blackpowder firearm.  I selected the CVA Optima .50 caliber Bergara stainless barrel with a thumbhole synthetic stock.  Truly, one of the finest additions to my Liberty safe to date. Numerous in-line manufacturers are available for consideration.

Most of the hunting party also chose to upgrade their muzzleloaders and everyone wielded breach break or in-line muzzleloader “primitive” weapons that were law abiding.  I admire the history of blackpowder rifles, but the humid and random conditions of Florida hunting with exposed primers and even more truly traditional firearms will often result in four letter words and missed opportunities.  More importantly, this was not a hunt I would choose to be under-gunned, as an adult Sambar stag is roughly equivalent to a rag horn elk in body mass and inherent challenge. Furthermore, its not a game species you would deliberately choose to drag out or blood track.

Sambar Deer Habits

Sambar deer frequently cruise the beach at night like banshees.  It became virtually comical as we finally appreciated their habits.  We’d wake up 40 yards from the tide break just beyond the first coastal dune and hoof marks were like horse trails to our amazement.  Of course we tracked the sign like you would in the snow, but what a complete waste of effort.

Tracking Sambar in the loose sand proved to be futile in our experience.  The tracks often lead into a marsh trail and the odds of successful pursuit are limited at best. You don’t exactly sneak up on them in a densely vegetated marsh. Sambar deer have persisted on SVI due to the imbedded deep march ecology and availability of uncommon forage for most ungulates.  They’ve adapted to the marsh vegetation diet of marsh grasses primarily and quite relish the surly conditions the grassy marshes afford. So aside from transition zones, shallow marsh habitats are their preferred habitat.

Hunting Strategies 

I suggest hunting edges of marshes and exploring their worn trails.  Not White-tail deer trails, which also reside on SVI, but trails similar to elk- broad passages into and throughout the marsh habitats.  Focus on eco-tonal edges along marshes and densely vegetated cover.  I suggest pursuing Sambar deer more like hogs and less like deer and by the way, there are plenty of feral hogs on SVI, so factor that into your decision matrix as you’re selecting appropriate stand placement.

Bonus points on this hunt is that you can harvest as many island pigs as you fancy. To those who are accustomed to climbing pine trees, cabbage palm trees are superior. Most climbers secure well into the dense trunks and I give bonus points to Florida’s state tree for no sap drawback.

Closing Sentiments

 Our hunting party never witnessed a Sambar deer in the field, but I’ll tell you we tried like hell all day and every day of the hunt.  As I recall, two young stags and two hinds were harvested that trip by others.  Buddy, they were quite the appeal at the skinning rack, and hunter attention was on point!  Honestly though, I fondly remember the trip without prejudice of a successful harvest.  We were there as hunting buddies and SVI amateurs.   Would I write this article much different if steadily glancing at a Euro mount Sambar stag? I remain doubtful.

We enjoyed the adventure, the coastal vistas, and most notably the fellowship.  Damn we were tired each night, but we settled in for dinner and shared stories of the pursuit and oddity of the hunt. Even hung out with some other hunters one night on the beach and traded stories.  SVI is spectacular public land, and if not for the acquisition and opportunity, all this story would be lost and so would my memories and libations of the hunt not even an option. I invite you to spend time pouring over maps and arrive prepared to hike or bike several miles each day scouting and hunting.

Regardless of the social media negative comments I receive, I invite you to apply for this limited opportunity draw hunt and devise your own success fate.  Perhaps you’ll appreciate the separation from modern day conveniences only a few miles from Florida panhandle civilization.  If you are fortunate enough to draw, don’t hesitate to contact me for major and minor details I didn’t disclose.  This adventure is pleasantly wild and approachable, so don’t hesitate to apply and hopefully be awarded.  Simply, I’m honored to share the recount of the approach and journey we appreciated on St. Vincent Island pursuing Sambar deer and hunting memories.

Links

Read St. Vincent Island Sambar Hunting Part 1 by Chad Rischar by clicking HERE

Part 2 of the St Vincent Island Sambar Hunting blog is found HERE

Chad Rischar is the Southeast Chapter Vice Chair of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and resides in Northeast Florida. He’s a generalist hunter, angler, and outdoorsman. As a scientist, natural resource manager and conservation advocate, he appreciates the inherent value of the out-of-doors and is seeking to improve the well, not just the pump. Chad can be contacted at Florida.BHA@gmail.com