Thread: Broken Ear

Over the sambar rut we had picked up a stag with a dropping right ear which we named "Broken Ear". We picked him up on a regular basis over quite a big area but never laid eyes on him until yesterday.
We had been out for our usual hunt, checking out some big clear cuts, not seeing an animal but truck loads of sign especially in one area.
After the early morning look around we checked a few more spots then one of the camera's which last weekend had shown a full card but nothing on it so we needed to make sure it was working ok.
Several deer were on there from the last week so all was good. We only had about half the day to hunt as Beeman was going to be busy in the afternoon so we started to make tracks back towards home.
We had a few more easy camera's to check so decided to do them then go home, time 10.30 am.
As we cruised back along the forestry road always looking for animals on the openish ridges I spotted a large dark shape on a spur about 60 odd meters away.
By the time I got Beeman stopped we had just gone past the animal so we had to back up a little, which usually turns to custard and the animals bolt.
As we backed up I could still see him ( I could see antler) and stopped Beeman, my aim was through a bit of foliage but figured the 200 gr ELD X would do the job and let strip at his neck.
He reared up and fell backwards never to move again , antlers imbedded in the ground.
A short walk had us next to a respectable Sambar Stag and we were grateful he hadn't tumbled of the ridge into the gullies either side as moving him through blackberry and fallen logs would be near impossible for a couple of old farts.
Photo's done I gutted him then we hooked over drag ropes around his antlers and carefully dragged him down to the road ( we didn't want him rolling off the spur he was on)
Beeman backed his truck deck into the bank then we heaved him on board, job done, time was marching on so the camera's would have to wait till next weekend, hopefully that will be another story.
We weighted the stag at 137 kg and I Douglas Scored him at 177 DS.



Back at the truck and the stag where he fell.
Interestingly the 200 gr ELDX out of the 300 WM didn't exit the neck even though it was only 60 odd meters away, the sambar stags are tough critters alright.

right place right time...good on you.

Forgot to say that the stag was Broken Ear from off the camera lines as the cartilage on his right ear was badly damaged most likely from fighting other stags.

Awesome, still yet to lay eyes on, let alone shoot a sambar

Well done! Always nice when you can get the deer to the pickup easily.

We try to only shoot them in places that require a down hill drag only, 140 odd kgs is bloody heavy for us old fella's. If they end up in a shit hole gully the only thing to do is cut them up into carry size bits.

Very nice work!

Both of his ears are drooping now , Good work .

Awesome mate!

Awesome!

Mooseman forgot to tell the whole story. After he said back up he threw his canon out the window and Beeman stuck his fingers as hard as he could in his ears waiting for the reverberation and cloud of smoke . He glanced back at Mooseman and his lips were flapping so he took one finger out of his ear and Mooseman says 'back up a bit more' then he jammed his fingers back in his ears as tight as he could. Then the shock waves hit him �� It just makes a good day even better. And Beeman is going to start teaching Mooseman some new sign language.

yes you are right Mrs Beeman, Beeman is quite deaf so another blast from the 300 wouldn't hurt to much. Sign language would be good LOL

you know the electronic earmuffs are simply AWESOME for us hard of hearing folks...you can turn them up and hear conversation...including one at other end of house... and when loud noise happens,they click off....driving ute spotlighting they great ,guys above head shooting .12ga and muffs shut it all out yet could carry on conversation with other passenger.

I already thought the "broken ear" was about Beeman.

All jokes aside. The electronic earmuffs are worth trying. Will not cost an arm and a leg.

Good write up. Just out of curiosity @Mooseman when do the sambar cast their antlers?