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.