> A fine even 28inch stag taken by Brian Church employing knowledge gleaned from Secrets of the Sambar Volumes 1 & 2

I am convinced he is the same stag as he was shot within 75 yards of previous sightings. I walked up the gully to glass for my friend. My binos were soaked when I reached my first glassing spot so I looked around for a bit hoping they would dry out after a shake. They did in time, but I saw nothing at first. But when I moved to the other side of the tree I saw bushes moving across the gully. I picked up my binos and could see his tips moving around. I picked up my rifle, zoomed to 7 power and found him in my sight then he turned and looked dead at me. I fired. I knew the shot was good as I had used the tree as a rest. Yes - I had learnt from my mistakes. He reacted to the shot by running straight down through the creek and up the other side. I felt he was charging me. He was frighteningly big and mean looking. I stood behind the tree and as he got within 10m he slowed a bit and broadsided me. He then barreled straight down hill towards the track behind me coming to rest 50m from it. A rough measure shows a nice even 28 inch stag. A fine trophy with plenty of venison to share around.

Errol your books helped me in so many things but in particular they taught me:

• "If you’re on his face you’re in his face."
• Stop regularly and glass.
• Perseverance.
• Hunt the deer, don’t fixate on sign—I knew he was there yet that morning but had not seen a print a piece of poo or a fresh rub, but I knew I was in a good spot and glassing would find him if he was there.

Thanks again Errol,

Regards

Brian Church, Thurgoona, NSW