Deer survival instinct being both hunter and observer have seen first hand how deer will tolerate scent especially close to thicket bedding areas thanks for sharing
That is 100 percent correct Rosco. In fact I have provided many examples of sambar - including mature stags holding tight in cover when the scent of the sit and wait hunter was blowing right to them from just 30 metres away for a considerable period. This, and other examples of sambar stags and hinds holding tight in cover - especially in large blackberry patches - are discussed in detail in pages 42 to 45 of Secrets of the Sambar Volume 3, and pages 122-124 of The Hunt Smart System Book. However this hind was not in cover; she was in the semi open drying out after a cold wet night, an entirely different situation to feeling relatively safe when in cover. I have photographs of another hind bedded amongst dogwood. She was totally relaxed chewing her cud. Training course participants and I observed her and her calf and a stag bedded close by for at least 20 minutes whilst a strong cold wind blew into our faces, when suddenly the wind changed 180 degrees and blew our scent straight to them. In 30 seconds the hind stood in her bed with her nose in the air and instantly bolted into the dogwood thicket. I also photographed the stag who was bedded about 60 metres away on this Wagon Wheel Rim, but it's interesting to note how he was sooo much slower to respond to our scent than the hind, and eventually he slowly moved away into cover. If any of us had wanted to harvest him we had all the time in the world, even after the wind had taken our scent to him. I will publish this series of photos in The Hunt Smart System Volume 2 which we are taking orders for now.
I'd suggest she's smelt something, very faintly. Not enough to make her run off straight away, but enough to put her on fairly high alert. Great video Errol, keep up the great work mate.
She was unable to get our scent due to the thermals. However with 8 course participants it was impossible to prevent her from hearing us as sambars hearing - especially hinds is so bionic like that it's simply amazing. On several occasions hinds have heard my camera shutter at this distance and instantly bolted. And although the participants attempted to subdue their voices to a loud whisper, hinds in particular are often spooked by our subdued voices. In this instance I have no doubt she heard us - perhaps my camera shutter; a snapped twig; too loud a whisper, after all we had watched her and her calf at least 1 hour. When she was unable to identify the source, she employed her sense of smell in an attempt to verify the source of the sound. Thousand of hours of observing photographing and videoing sambar hinds and stags has taught me that hinds have far superior hearing to stags, and the latest cutting edge neuroscience provides the explanation for the hinds superior hearing.
Great footage , amazing books & unmatched insights into these secretive animals. A big thankyou for helping me transition from armed bush walker to an ever evolving & learning sambar hunter & enthusiast.
Thank you. I will keep them coming. I was assisted in editing this one by a 13 year old genius and his Dad who is our outstanding Website and enewsletter manager. I'm waiting for the 13 year old to give me more lessons whilst helping me edit the next video.
Thanks for the encouragement Hank. The boys from Tassie - Brad and Cameron- were stoked to see that monster stag. It's a great story which we are privileged to learn from and to publish.
Wont be long Hank and it will be cool enough to get back up there mate. I was in Dargo last week for three days, nice country and full of sign. ATB Moose.
G'day mate, yes we are fine thanks Hank, we are heading to Jamieson way on the Big River State Forest from the 11th to the 18th but i just paid my 26 bucks for the Alpine cull did you get onto that? was in the Age this morning. Check it out mate, 3 day cull starting Friday and will last 3 years on and off. Ill keep the guys updated on my channel as and when we get up. Great news for us hunters hey mate. Cheers Moose
Hi Robert, Wondered why that name didn't ring a bell. But thanks again anyway. Maybe it had some effect as a lady just purchased a Hunt Smart course position for her husband for Christmas. Robert, the Team at SOTS wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas.
