Sambar deer

[JoeinFl]

Has anyone been to St Vincent Island off the coast of NW Fl? I was lucky enough to draw a Sambar permit after 5 years of trying. The largest Sambar killed on St Vincent was over 700lbs. I will most likely be shooting a T/C 50cal Hawken perc. They also have a white tail hunt in Jan along with archery for deer at another date. You can see the website by googling St Vincent NWR.
Joe

 

[Pork Chop]

I will be honest. I have never heard of the Sambar deer until now. I googled them and Wow! A nice looking beast! How do I get me one of those permits!?!

 

[JoeinFl]

Porkchop, You get them by applying to St Vincent NWR. This is the fifth year I have applied and finally got drawn. Where else can you hunt an exotic like sambar for $20.00. The drawing has already been done for this years sambar hunt but you may want to look into the white tail hunts on the island.
Joe

 

[bigbore442001]

I have heard of this special hunt. From what I read it is hard to get a sambar. They ain't push overs.

 

[Hoyt]

This one was killed there a couple yrs ago. If I was in better health I would definitely put in for the sambar and deer hunt. The deer hunt is pretty much a sure thing to get picked every yr.
I've heard it's a real tuff hunt..and that the place is eat up with rattlesnakes gators and mosquitoeos..even more so than the normal fl. swamps..and especially with the rattlesnakes and this is from local boys who hunt fl. swamps.
But that is not why I don't hunt it..it's all that sugar sand and you have to go a long ways in it to do good from what I hear. Got to lug all your camp goods up the beach..etc. and get a way over to the island. I also hear the ones who kill Sambars hunt in the water..or get lucky like the one in picture. I think it was standing in a road when the guy walked out.

 

[cayugad]

I was thinking of a different deer until I read this post.. WOW what a beautiful animal. As for hunting in a swamp full of rattlesnakes, I am not sure I would like that at all... :grin:

 

[cptleo1]

It is a great hunt and they are huge.

a. Practice anchoring your boat 200 Feet off the
beach (without getting your feet wet).

b. Build a beach cruizer

1. Use a girls 26" frame. (easier to get on)
2. Use sand tires NOT knobies.
3. Mount a basket on the front, use wire
saddle bags, build a platform on the back.
4. Practice alot in the sugar sand.

c. Go scout the island.

I can not stress enough about the bike. You will be hunting almost 2 miles from camp and the advantage over walking is HUGE.

Have enough cooler space to get meat off the island. The one in the picture is a nice one but is not a big one.

What you are going to do is going Elk hunting - Florida style.

Good luck

P.S.
Another great hunt is right up the street from you:
Cumberland Island, GA. Is I believe one of three
National parks in the country you can hunt.

The park rangers call it "The apple & hammer" hunt

You hide in the bushes, hold out an apple, when a deer walks up, give em a bite and Wack him with a hammer.

It is not quite that easy BUT it is close.

In Georgia I think you can harvest 6 deer.

Good Luck and keep us posted. :thumbsup:

 

[JoeinFl]

Thanks for the info
Joe