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Beyond the Basics Training Course

Hunt Smart^® Sambar Success Stories

Sambar – A Highly Elusive & Secretive Quarry

Whether hunted in India or here in Victoria’s Great forested Mountains, Sambar have a well deserved reputation for being mysterious and highly elusive. There can be no doubt that the adage, ‘they didn’t get big by being stupid’ applies to the Premier Game Animal of the South Pacific Region, which arguably rates amongst the world’s top ten game animals.

Hunt Smart Success Story No 24

Above: Within 43 minutes of hunting after Errol's "Hunt Smart" course, between the 2 of us we had seen 8 hinds, 1 trophy stag and bagged a hind for venison. Errol talks about the 'Stars Aligning', and they most certainly did for us on this occasion. We are always amazed by this creature and this was no exception. - Nathan Grimes

My brother and I had been planning this hunt since we attended Errol Mason?s "Hunt Smart" course 4 weeks ago in October 2011. We were eager to get into the bush and put the tactics into place that we had eagerly lapped up on the course. We decided to head into our favourite spot hoping to get a better mental map of it using the tricks and knowledge passed onto us by Errol. I had walked this particular bit of bush many times before but after the "Hunt Smart" course, it was like I was looking at it through different eyes. There were signs left by deer that now stand out like a sore thumb.

A short time later a good sized hind stood up just 35m in front of my brother. She was on full alert looking down the face and away from him. He sent a 180gn Winchester on its way which hit her just behind the ribs. Suddenly the bush came to life and 2 other hinds and a yearling scattered in all directions. A 20m stumble and she was down and rolled into a thicket. Smiles and quiet fist pumps followed.

An obvious blood trail made for a quick search and there she was - a magnificent animal and one we will never forget. The bullet had pierced both lungs and heart and smashed the femur resulting in a quick death. What a wonderful moment. There were smiles, handshakes, back slaps, and lots of photos. We harvested almost every bit of venison available and with massive smiles packed it into my daypack and lugged it out.

As we were walking out, we had a giggle at the fact that within exactly 43 minutes of hunting after Errol's "Hunt Smart" course, between the 2 of us we had seen 8 hinds, 1 trophy stag and bagged a hind for venison. Errol talks about the 'Stars Aligning', and they most certainly did for us on this occasion. I am always amazed by this creature and this was no exception.

Nathan Grimes

Hunt Smart Success Story No 23

Above: "This was unbelievable – I'd just shot my first Sambar stag! And not even an hour after taking my first Sambar only 500m back along the creek." Luke Neesham - one very proud hunter with his first Sambar stag - his second Sambar for the day.

G'day Errol

It's been less than 12 months since my brother Matthew and I did your "Beyond the Basics" Training course. I'm very happy to let you know that I've taken my first Sambar deer, a hind then unbelievably took a Sambar Stag in the same day, using your 'Hunt Smart' theory from your training course and the Secrets of the Sambar books.

A good mate Ben and I decided to hike into a secluded spot where we had hunted regularly over the summer and seen a lot of sambar sign. We knew as the gates were closed off for winter that the deer in the area would be less alarmed. After a 2 hour hike we made it to the hut around lunchtime, had a feed, dried off our hunting gear and planned our afternoon sit and wait tactics. It was 3:30pm, the rain had stopped, the sky had cleared and the sun came out – perfect hunting conditions.

We decided to split up and I'd planned to sit and wait in a nearby gully. It had a small river which previously showed sign of well used game trail where the sambar where regularly crossing, a definite highway where they made their across to head to a farm fringe. I climbed over a log across the river and as I made my way to a hide on the opposite gully face, I heard a honk then a young sambar hind appeared on the opposite face. I had a fallen tree right in front of me and I rested my new Sako 300WSM on it and clearly identified the hind through my Vixen 2.5 x 10 x 50 scope. One shot with a 165gn Barnes straight through the shoulder and it dropped directly where it stood. I waited for a minute for any further movement, which there was not and then crossed the stream.

As I got to within 30m of where the Sambar hind had fallen, I looked towards that direction only to find a pure black Sambar spiker standing right next to the shot deer. I stopped immediately, removed my phone camera and began to video the spiker as it stared directly at me. It stood facing me, stomping its front right hoof at me in a defensive manner, watching me however completely unaware of what I was. I decided that I would let this beautiful young stag live to grow a large set of antlers especially as I had the venison from the hind. It was only after a 15 minute stand off and me slowly moving behind a tree much closer would the Sambar Spiker turn and bolt away. As I walked over to the deer I couldn't believe it, my first Sambar. I removed the legs, backstraps and took all of the meat back to the hut.

I decided to continue along the same gully face as it was still late afternoon, the wind was right and I thought as I fired my rifle nothing else would be around so I could do some re-con for the next morning's hunt. I followed a major game trail along the edge of the river where I could see up ahead where the river hooked around there was the next gully with a very lush green and well covered floor. I noticed the game trail turned up to rise over the saddle to the next gully however I thought I'd sit, wait and glass the floor and surrounding faces to see what was around. As I stood half way up the face, glassing the surrounding faces, I noticed an unalarmed fox make its way past me about 5 metres away, then move down into the gully floor where is suddenly stopped, looked up and then realise it was face to face with a Sambar stag! The stag moved towards the fox which quickly moved away and the stag slowly walked in my direction. It would have been 40m away and had no idea I was there. The stag was heading towards the game trail and as it got to about 25m from me, stopped looked in my direction although still completely unaware of my presence, I fired hitting it in the neck, killing it instantly. This was unbelievable – I'd just shot my first Sambar stag! And not even an hour after taking my first Sambar only 500m back along the creek. I radioed Ben to let him know that I'd got a stag. I walked back to the hut to meet him and then we both made our way back to the Stag just as it got dark. Ben helped me cape, butcher and carry out the meat from this fine animal.

I really believe that without doing your 'Beyond the Basics' course and studying your books, I would not have known the principals and theory to take my first 20inch Sambar stag. I'd like to thank you Errol for the knowledge and insight you've given me to watch and take these truly amazing animals.

Luke Neesham

Hunt Smart Success Story No 22

Hello Errol and Lynne,

Peter and I wanted to thank you for all your help and hospitality during the lead up to and also during our recent attendance on your Hunt Smart Sambar training course. We learnt an amazing amount about Sambar over the three days that would otherwise have taken years of time in the bush to glean on our own. We thank you for sharing your massive body of knowledge with us.

We had a great time for the rest of our stay in Victoria. We were fortunate in that we saw sambar deer in two locations on the drive to our planned hunting area. The first sighting was of two hinds feeding on the river flats at about 8am. We stopped the car and watched them for 20 seconds or so before they moved away into thicker cover. The second sighting was of a spiker that was standing on the edge of a clearing in an east facing gully head. He was standing motionless watching us at a distance of 50m or so. He was in full shadow other than his back leg which enabled Peter to spot him. These sightings really set our spirits high as I had never actually seen a sambar in daylight before and to have two sighting in one morning was encouraging to say the least.

Then later, employing knowledge acquired on the course, I took this young stag with a single shot from my Sako 338 Win Mag using a Barnes 210gn TTS-X.

Overall we had a great trip where we were able to put the training we received from you into practice, which resulted in a successful hunt. We could not have asked for more than that, with the stars aligning the way they did in so many respects

 

Thank you once again.

Colin and Peter Wood
North Queensland

Hunt Smart Success Story No 21

   Hi Errol & Lynne,

I took this beautiful little stag shortly after attending your course. He had just come out of a wallow so he is covered in mud. I shot him from 25m from a ground hide located and built just like you teach on the course.

Your course taught me many of the finer points that I didn't understand, even though I had taken 4 good stags before I attended. These 4 stags included a 26 incher and a 28 incher and I now understand why they were where they were. What I learnt on your course has enabled me to see many more unalarmed sambar than ever before. In fact recently I saw 20 in 2 trips - including 5 stags - and I put my mate Ray into positions where he could have shot 2 good stags but unfortunately he missed both.

Anyhow thanks for everything. Your Hunt Smart course is an absolute cracker.

Leon Alexander
Churchill
Vic

Hunt Smart Success Story No 20

This is a photo of my first sambar stag which I shot on 20/08/2011 after attending your course. He was taken at 7.30am and fell where he was standing with one shot at a distance of 25 yards. I very much doubt I would have been successful without the valuable knowledge and understanding of sambar behavior I gained from your Hunt Smart training course.

Once again, thanks for all your help.

Andrew Howard
Greenvale VIC

Hunt Smart Success Story No 19

The 11th of September 2009 found me attending Errol Mason‘s Hunt Smart Sambar training course along with three of my mates, including Andrew Jones, who I had persuaded to come along. A great weekend was had and armed with the extra knowledge gained, Andrew and I headed straight up over Hotham to prepare for our high country hunt.

We had been planning this hunt for 12 months. I had hunted the chosen area the previous year using the traditional back pack method, hiking in behind the closed gates. Hence the previous years‘ experience provided a sound base on which to hunt the same area that I knew held a significant number of deer. I was excited to be heading back armed with last year‘s experience and the new knowledge gained from Errol.

Two days after attending the course, with the help of my mate Andrew Jones, and employing tips learnt on the course, I took this magnificent sambar stag. Our thanks to Errol for his pearls of wisdom that helped make this a highly successful and enjoyable hunt.

Regards

Matt Appleton
See Matt Appleton and Andrew Jones full story of ‘The Team Work Stag‘ in Secrets of the Sambar Vol 3.

Hunt Smart Success Story No 18

 

Hi Errol,

We found your books meant much more to us after we attended your Hunt Smart course and received your personal tuition.

Your course created the correct mindset for hunting Sambar.

Whilst we may not be the greatest success stories of your students, I felt that when armed with the knowledge from your course and your books as our reference source, we had sound strategies to implement as we progressed. We did not resort to "suck it and see" approaches. As a result, our hunts were always informative and fun, ultimately culminating in this Sambar hind.

Great to touch base with you once again.

Kindest regards

Peter Walters
Kurt Vegners
Mafi Paratua

Hunt Smart & Vixen Success Story No 17

I originally went up for a day trip to check my trail camera. I arrived at about 730am and went straight to it and swapped the card. I went back up to my camp area to check the pics on my laptop.

I had seen this bloke on every set and noticed he had been around a lot more lately. I shot a spikey sitting in the same hide 5 weeks earlier. So I knew they were bedding on this NE face somewhere.

I decided to hang around and have a sit until dark, got down at about 1.30pm after lunch and parked my self down for the rest of the day.

Seen a few wallabies, rabbits, a fox whilst sitting, but no deer.

At about 5pm I started hearing sticks breaking and bird alarm calls from the face I suspect they were on.

My Vixen 8x42 binos s were on full alert.

As we sat down we could only just see as it was almost dark.

Then out of the scrub he walked. Vixens went up and I see it was a stag, the same one we had been getting on the camera. I sprung to my knees I could just see his face so I put the crosshairs on him until he took one more cautious step, then BOOM. He dropped then got up and ran straight at me. He stopped in his preach then I let him have one more. The 308 and 165gn Woodleigh cartwheeled him dropping him in his tracks.

Mate you could of heard me yelling from Mansfield.

Errol’s course and the Vixen binoculars made all of this possible. It was an awesome experience watching through the binos then taking an unalarmed sambar stag using methods taught on Errols course. What an experience, just shows persistence pays of.

Errol, thanks again for all your support and knowledge in which you have passed on to both me and Wayne. Without this knowledge I wouldn’t have had the chance to take such a fine animal.

Cheers

Shane Costello

Above: Shane Costello with his 21in sambar stag taken using the Hunt Smart® system and Vixen Apex Pro 8 x 42 binos.

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 16

Above: Using tactics learnt on Errol's Hunt Smart® Training Course, Robert Zagorski took this unalarmed sambar hind for venison

G’Day Errol,

I would like to thank you for helping me understand sambar. If I only become half the hunter as you, my goals for my life would be achieved, as you are truly an inspiration.

This is the story of my hunt to celebrate the arrival of our first born son, Alexander. On his birth I decided to head to the high country to mark the occasion. On arrival I found sign where the deer had been feeding exactly where Errol said it would be. I strategically placed myself in the ‘zone of silence’ using the Hunt Smart techniques learnt on the course.

I scouted the gully for movement and soon found numerous deer moving down into the feeding ground. I ranged the spot at 300 yards and selected the best deer for quality table fair. I took the animal with a single shot, dropping it cleanly on the spot. I used projectiles, equipment and shot placement suggested by Errol. It was a text book hunt comprising a check list of sambar behaviour. It was very humbling! It has given me tremendous confidence to take deer at distances I would never had contemplated before learning Errol’s Hunt Smart techniques and using the appropriate equipment. I now see more deer in a single hunt than I previously saw in a year, and because they are unaware of me I am able to carefully select the deer I want harvest. I really enjoy this aspect of the hunt.

The only regret I have is not attending Errol’s course earlier as it is truly a great resource about sambar behaviour and how to hunt them. No doubt his books will be here for generations to come as they are like a bible to serious hunters. I knew his course was going be great when I arrived for lunch and sampled some of Lynne’s fantastic cooking. Truly a great hunter and a warm and hospitable host. Thank you once again. You have saved me many of kilometres of wondering aimlessly around the bush. Forever grateful.

Robert Zagorski

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 15

Above: Robert Borsak, Chairman, Game Council NSW, with a sambar stag harvested using the Hunt Smart® system.

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 14

Hi Errol

It was late into my second year of Sambar hunting that I was rewarded with my first Stag.

After attending your Hunt Smart sambar training course earlier in the year, I gained valuable information in a variety of areas that I believe fast tracked me to this much valued 24 inch Sambar Stag.

Thanks for everything Errol,

Greg Young
Shepparton, Vic

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 13

Hi Errol

Another Hunt Smart Success Story for you.

I managed to take a hind using tactics you taught me on your course. One shot instant kill on an unalarmed hind that had no idea I was there. And during the first hour of hunting a new area. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Wayne and I really appreciate the enormous amount you taught us. We will never hunt the old way again.

Cheers

Shane Costello
Corio, Vic

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 12

G’day Errol – well we did what you said and “did it!!”

Peter and I have just returned from a 7 day hunt in the high country and secured a magnificent 28” x 28” stag. We had both read your books cover to cover and took them along to use as a reference after each days exploring.

We found a number of stag “play rooms” ¾ the way up a spur with preaching trees and rub trees in prolific amounts. The stags were obviously patrolling their areas ¾ of the way up the ridge, contouring the spurs. This is where Peter shot this beauty just at about 5.50pm – about a half hour before dark. The stag was at 60m and walking briskly through thick timber. By the time Pete took a sight on a shoulder shot he was moving behind a wall of trees and he stepped into a lung shot with the 330 Dakota and a 225gn Woodleigh PP. 

Unfortunately the bullet hit a bit too far back and the stag bolted at the shot.  Despite a thorough search Pete could not find him so we both returned the next day and spent half the day looking for him. By 2.30 we had given up and were walking out when I spotted a pair of deep hoof gouges 20m from where Pete believed he had hit him. Suddenly I was then on fire, tracking the stag off the edge of the ridge over his game trail and down a gully where he collapsed into a wombat hole completely covered by ferns.

As I was the GSP for the day, I used every bit of info you wrote in Volume 1 on the animal’s reaction to a shot, the bipedal jump, the collective track of a panic gallop, lung blood drops, etc. I found the first blood spot 30m from where he was standing when Pete fired and he was lying dead about 100m from where he was hit.

Seeing I had never really tracked a Sambar before I could not have done it without your information. In fact, Pete and I reverted to the books each evening to refresh what we saw each day.

Best regards

Bob Shepherd
Dubbo, NSW

---

Hi Errol,

I owe this fine stag to you because of what you taught us through your books and your Hunt Smart training course. I persevered with what you said to do and proved your system works.

We thought you would really like the photos showing your books either side of my wonderful stag.

Regards from a very happy Sambar Hunter

Peter Russell
Dubbo, NSW

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 11

Hi Errol

Another Success Story from your ‘Hunt Smart’ training course.

Luke and I are so happy with your course - the pictures say it all.

I have just come in from caping. Luke would not let me go to bed without sending you the pictures.

Will tell you the story another time.

Regards

Andrew and Luke McMahon
Tumut, NSW

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 10

Above: Ron Conrad's success story from Corryong Hunt Smart® Training Course

Hi Errol,

I have been hunting (aca chasing) sambar for about 12 years without success. After doing your course I learnt more about ‘hunting’ sambar in 1 weekend than in the past 12 years. I was able to bag my first sambar - a hind - the very next day using the knowledge gleaned from your course.

It was text book stuff.

I first looked for sign of sambar in the area, found browse, fresh droppings and tracks. I found a wallow and took your advice about getting in 1 hour before dark, getting down wind and building a hide overlooking the wallow.

Right on dusk I heard crashing through the bush and a stag and hind appeared. The stag knew something was wrong and honked in my direction several times but I could not get a clear shot at him, so decided to take the hind.

My family are now enjoying plenty of venison.

Thanks Errol

Ron Conrad
Sydney

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 9

Dear Errol,

Just a quick note to thank you once again for the great course you ran. I got lots of really helpful information in regards to tracking and hunting of Sambar which has been really useful.

After leaving Swifts Creek I went up to Mansfield for some fishing and of course to try out my new skills at hunting Sambar. After two days of looking,I found a moist gully that looked promising with lots of sign. I was able to harvest a Sambar hind whilst she was making her way down to feed. I took her with a cross gully shot from 120 metres. I used the high shoulder blade/spine shot which you taught me and her legs buckled as the 180gn Norma hit her and she tumbled down into thick bush. After a bit of searching I soon realized that Sambar are as hard to see dead as they are alive. After finding her I took the attached photo. Although the bullet exited there was no blood trail at all. I was able to kill this unalarmed hind instantly with one shot by applying a number of techniques and tips you gave us on the course so thanks once again.

I must say how incredibly fantastic it was to watch 3 unalarmed sambar – a hind and her calf plus a spiker on 3 separate occasions during the course. This was priceless!!! By studying them for long periods I could see just how elusive they are - how slowly they move and how hard they are to see especially when bedded.

A final thank you to your wife Lynne for the great meals and the very warm hospitality she extended to us whilst we were there. It was greatly appreciated. The food was so good it was the stuff you would write home about. So thanks again to you and Lynne.

Happy Hunting

Wayne Robinson
Melbourne     

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 8

Above: Bluey Smith of the Game Council NSW with his first ever sambar – a fine spiker in first class condition. Well done & congratulations Bluey.

Above: Errol Mason explains to students on the AHI/Game Council NSW Hunt Smart Training Course how to age faecal pellets and how to determine the size and sex of the deer that left them.

CORRYONG HUNT SMART TRAINING COURSE SUCCESS STORY - DAVID ‘BLUEY’ SMITH

Two days after attending Errol Mason’s Hunt Smart Training Course for Orange AHI members and Game Council managers, Chris Hyde and I headed to some farm fringe country not burnt by the 03 fires. Finding fresh sign on the fringe we moved up and glassed the North West face of a gully head. In the bottom I spotted a spiker as he got up out of his bed. A high shoulder/spine shot (with bone fragments splintering into the lungs) from Chris’s .325 WSM dropped him on the spot and I had my first Sambar. He was bedded not 200m from the ‘hub’ and 50m up the face from the bottom of the gully.

I sincerely believe that Errol Mason’s Hunt Smart Training Courses are the only choice for those hunters wanting to learn the ‘Secrets of the Sambar’. The Hunt Smart System provided a wealth of information and put it into a commonsense approach to hunting. 2 days after attending Errol’s course I used the tips and techniques I learnt to take this spiker - my first Sambar. Thank you Errol !

Cheers mate!

Bluey

David Smith
Game Manager: Sydney Metro / Central West
GAME COUNCIL OF NSW
Conservation Hunting

Above: Using his middle fingers, Errol Mason explains to students how to age tracks and how to determine the sex and size of their maker.

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 7

Above: Left to right, Errol Mason, Anthony Macciocca and Paul Brincat examine a fresh sambar bed at the base of a large eucalypt. Errol explains how to tell it is actually a sambar’s bed, how to tell the sex of its user and in what weather conditions it would be used.

Since attending Errol's Beyond the Basics hunting course I've found that I now have the knowledge to better utilize my limited time in the field. When previously I would have gone on a 3 day hunt and seen maybe one stag, I now find that I can go to a particular spot, apply the tactics and things I have learnt on Errol’s course and see stags more frequently.

It has also helped to put the pieces together to determine a stags behaviour and habits based on such factors as weather, food sources and breeding grounds. Recently I was applying this knowledge one afternoon whilst glassing a known wallow at 4 pm when a 30 inch stag materialised out of nowhere. While observing this magnificent animal for a total of 30 seconds, I was amazed to see just how cautious and calculating his behaviour was.

He travelled stealthily, in total sneak mode, intentionally keeping to the bushline and avoiding open patches although totally unalarmed and unaware of my presence. Hence his escape. This experience alone has proved to me that trying to hunt these animals on the same face would severely narrow my chances of ever taking one of these animals unalarmed.

I believe that by constantly applying Errol's ‘Hunt Smart’ tactics, I will greatly increase my chances of taking a fully mature stag in the near future.

Paul Brincat
Mickleham, Vic.

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 6

Above: Using knowledge and tactics taught on Errol Mason's 'Beyond the Basics' Training Course, Andrew Winwood of Tasmania finally outsmarted this fine 24 x 24inch heavy antlered stag after spending several days working out how to 'Out Smart' him

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 5

Above: Andrew Winwood and Paul Binns stalked silently into the best vantage point for the prevailing conditions - then using binos - spotted this massive bodied stag whilst he lay in his bed. Paul harvested this old stag, who had proven over many years that he was very elusive, with a single shot from a 30/06 (see Secrets of the Sambar Volume 2 page 65).

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 4

Above: Using knowledge and tactics learnt whilst hunting with Errol Mason, Andrew Winwood (right) assisted John Butts to take this old wily stag.

After many years hunting fallow in Tasmania I thought it was time for a greater challenge. After hearing of Errol Mason’s success guiding hunters to trophy sambar and reading his articles in Guns & Game magazine I decided to book a 4 day hunt with him. I thought I didn’t really need a guide but I learnt so much during my first hunt that I have no hesitation recommending Errol to anybody needing a start with Sambar hunting or wanting to upgrade their skills. The knowledge Errol passed on was invaluable, not only for sambar, but I have used some of his tips for hunting fallow in Tassie. Errol’s tactics helped me take a couple of nice 220 and a 229 D.S. fallow, along with two very nice sambar stags and a few sambar hinds for venison.

I was never lucky enough to take a sambar stag whilst hunting with Errol but I had many great experiences such as watching countless unalarmed sambar. One of my most memorable experiences unfolded one evening. First I heard a black bird disturbed from its evening roost, then the fence moved, and despite the very low light, through my binos I could just make out the unforgettable sight of a mature hind and her calf. It was unbelievable. During the next thirty minutes or so another 9 sambar entered the farmland via the same hole in the fence. This sight was an awesome experience for a guy that only got to hunt these great animals for four or five days each year. Errol had another client take a very nice 28inch stag in the same area a week later. This was one of the greatest evenings I have ever spent in the bush. I had many more experiences just like these whilst hunting with Errol and I gained enough knowledge to try hunting without him. Despite this, we have remained very good friends and I cannot thank him enough. In the two years after I hunted with Errol I was lucky enough to take two great sambar stags. I also successfully guided my friends, Paul Binns and John Butt to stags. For me finally achieving success on sambar has been one of my life’s ultimate achievements.

Anyone who knows anything about sambar will tell you that you will never stop learning about these amazing animals. I have continued to increase my knowledge by studying Errol’s Secrets of the Sambar books. They are dense with knowledge, tips and tactics which will help any hunter regardless of their experience level. By studying them I continued to be consistently successful. Knowledge gleaned from them culminated in one of my most memorable hunts when I harvested a stag with impressive antlers measuring 24in x 24in. As we hunted this stag over several days, many of the things I learnt from Errol fitted into place like clockwork. For example how to interpret sign - what a rub line means and how to hunt it - how to tell if pellets are stag size and how fresh they are. Identifying freshly used scrapes, how and where to find well used game trails. And last but not least the importance of perseverance. To be successful hunting sambar you must be persistent and persevere for it is not an activity for those who want success to come easily.

Andrew Winwood
Spreyton
Tasmania

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 3

Above: Kurt Pongratz of Eden Vic. helps Iias Salagaras and Toby Gumbridge build a hide on a ‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course.

I am 69 years-old and have been hunting sambar for 20 years without much success. In fact in all this time I had not seen a single stag so I decided the smart thing to do was to attend Errol Mason’s ‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course. During the information packed 2 days I picked up many very important tips which I used on my next hunt. As a result of what Errol taught me I changed my hunting tactics considerably. This enabled me to take a shot at my very first sambar stag within a week or two of completing the course. The mature stag was broadside and unalarmed when I fired. I have to say that it was the things which I learnt from Errol that enabled me to achieve what I had been unable to achieve in 20 years of sambar hunting. If you attend his training course you are guaranteed to become a much more successful hunter – not only of sambar – but of all game animals.

Kurt Pongratz Eden, Vic.

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 2

Above: Mark Walker with his first stag taken shortly after completing Errol Mason’s Beyond the Basics Training Course

Mark Walker had this to say about the course.

'After 11 years of unsuccessful sambar hunting I recently attended Errol Mason’s ‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course.

Shortly afterwards I hunted the ‘High Country’ where I put into practice a lot of Errol’s hints and tips.

It all paid off when I took a magnificent 25 inch stag doing precisely what he recommended.

Without Errol’s vast knowledge and experience behind me I would still be wandering around the bush hearing a lot of crashing noises in the distance.

Here I am with the ‘Trophy of a Lifetime’ – a most magnificent stag.'

‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course Success Story No 1

Above: A wily old stag taken by Brett Cooke less than 24 hours after attending Errol’s ‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course.

In Brett’s words, 'I firmly believe my success on that hunt was largely attributable to Errol’s tuition and my employment of his ‘Hunt Smart’ system. I believe that in this world we make our own luck. I made mine when I consciously decided to gain knowledge by participating in Errol’s fabulous course. Without hesitation I recommend his ‘Beyond the Basics’ Training Course to all hunters, regardless of experience level.'