In order to keep the populations in check, the USFWS issues 200 special use hunting permits through a lottery every year. These hunts are strictly self-guided affairs in which the hunter is responsible for all of his own equipment, scouting, dressing and trophy prep. Hunting is limited to primitive firearms, and no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. The hunting period is only three days in mid-November, and hunters must attend an orientation meeting before their hunt.
One might think that all these restrictions would make it impossible to take a sambar, but subscriber Robert Corder says it is very doable for the right kind of hunter. He says he and a hunting partner both took sambar last November. They used bicycles to traverse the island and transport their tree stands. He says they spent the first day scouting and selecting their stand locations. He says the entire island is full of sambar sign and an experienced hunter should have no trouble figuring things out.
Corder hunted over a swamp and killed a non-typical that scores 158 4/8 SCI and may take the No. 1 spot in the SCI Record Book for sambar introduced to North America. (See a photo in the Trophy Gallery section of our web site at www.hunting report.com). He says the toughest part........(continued)
