The stag exited the bush lower down the face than Jim had expected so he had to partially stand to obtain sufficient elevation to shoot downwards. Despite moving slowly and cautiously - the instant he did so the stag - who was facing straight ahead - saw Jim’s movement, turned and stared at him. Fortunately by that time Jim was able to fire the fatal shot and take his first sambar. Well done Jim!!! Read Full Story >>

Jim Colquhoun

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Sam Van Assche, Malvern East VIC

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Matt Sheffield, Yass NSW

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 … Read Full Story >>

Nathan Grimes

G’day Errol, It’s been less than 12 months since my brother Matthew and I did your "Hunt Smart®" 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 … Read Full Story >>

Luke Neesham

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… Read Full Story >>

Colin and Peter Wood, North Queensland

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. Read Full Story >>

Leon Alexander, Churchill Vic

Once again, thanks for all your help. Read Full Story >>

Andrew Howard, Greenvale VIC

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

Matt Appleton

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, Read Full Story >>

Peter Walters, Kurt Vegners, Mafi Paratua

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 … Read Full Story >>

Shane Costello

Using tactics learnt on Errol’s Hunt Smart® Training Course, Robert Zagorski took this unalarmed sambar hind for venison 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 … Read Full Story >>

Robert Zagorski

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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, Read Full Story >>

Greg Young, Shepparton, Vic

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, Read Full Story >>

Shane Costello, Corio, Vic

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, Read Full Story >>

Andrew and Luke McMahon, Tumut, NSW

Hi Errol, I have been hunting (aka 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 Read Full Story >>

Ron Conrad, Sydney