St. Vincent Sambar Deer

[1000yards]

Bring snake boots, bug spray, water, and a great attitude.

 

[kpenglish77]

I had zero success drawing with up to 3 points. Then Michael hit, and hunts were canceled and tags moved to the next year. I didnt ever apply again. Damn glad once i saw that place in person by boat. No interest in hunting there now, and success has dropped WAY DOWN. Hopefully you get one . I assume Sambar stag vs Whitetail tag.

I plan to embrace the suck, at least this one time.

 

[JDeanP]

I never really understood why they don't just rid the island entirely of whitetails and allow the sambar deer to populate to actual huntable levels. The whitetail hunt out there is a bit of a joke anyhow.

The white tail are native, and the sambar are not. I wish they would introduce new genetics, but they have no plan to do that. Once they get too inbred to continue, or they all die to various causes, they’re done. As far as I know, it’s the only instance of the feds managing a non-native large/medium sized game for hunting. They don’t make a habit of that practice.

As a nonresident, I’m very grateful for the whitetail hunt. It’s a super affordable experience for nonresidents, and the residents don’t seem to mind us coming into town because they’re doing the serious hunting somewhere else. For me it’s 100% about the experience of the place and the species is just a bonus. I try to make the trip every year now. Even if I had the ability to hunt out west every year, I’d still be going to St. Vincent as well.

 

[MallardSX2]

As far as I know, it’s the only instance of the feds managing a non-native large/medium sized game for hunting. They don’t make a habit of that practice.

Aoudad
Oryx

 

[kpenglish77]

I need to start putting in for this. I love PSJ & SGI, go there every year. I'm only about 2.5 hours away. Almost bought a beach house in Mexico Beach a decade ago.

I've always wanted to check out that part of Old Florida anyway. Couple days exploring and eating my weight in oysters, couple days hunting. Looking forward to it.

The white tail are native, and the sambar are not. I wish they would introduce new genetics, but they have no plan to do that. Once they get too inbred to continue, or they all die to various causes, they’re done. As far as I know, it’s the only instance of the feds managing a non-native large/medium sized game for hunting. They don’t make a habit of that practice.

As a nonresident, I’m very grateful for the whitetail hunt. It’s a super affordable experience for nonresidents, and the residents don’t seem to mind us coming into town because they’re doing the serious hunting somewhere else. For me it’s 100% about the experience of the place and the species is just a bonus. I try to make the trip every year now. Even if I had the ability to hunt out west every year, I’d still be going to

The white tail are native, and the sambar are not. I wish they would introduce new genetics, but they have no plan to do that. Once they get too inbred to continue, or they all die to various causes, they’re done. As far as I know, it’s the only instance of the feds managing a non-native large/medium sized game for hunting. They don’t make a habit of that practice.

As a nonresident, I’m very grateful for the whitetail hunt. It’s a super affordable experience for nonresidents, and the residents don’t seem to mind us coming into town because they’re doing the serious hunting somewhere else. For me it’s 100% about the experience of the place and the species is just a bonus. I try to make the trip every year now. Even if I had the ability to hunt out west every year, I’d still be going to St. Vincent as well.

3 days of camping, hunting by morning and fishing in the evenings on a cool island. Can’t beat it

 

[JDeanP]

Aoudad
Oryx

Oryx is managed by the state agency, even though it’s sometimes on federal land. I’m not sure about aoudad. I could be wrong, but that was my understanding.

 

[RickyP]

I already chartered a local guide to get me to the east side. Definitely bringing a bike.

I'm heading to the island for the first time this fall. I've got a spot in the white tail archery hunt at the end of October and just started planning. I've only found one charter service so far; but there's no mention on his website if he shuttles hunters. I'm waiting for a reply to an email I sent him, but if you don't mind sharing, with whom did you charter?

I haven’t camped on the east side, but have multiple times on the west. Obviously don’t camp below the high tide mark, but if you can set up in the open and not under the trees, there should be enough breeze to keep the mosquitoes down while in camp. It’ll also help for drying out the rotation of hunting clothes during the day in direct sun. There’s too much condensation to dry clothes at night without a fire, so keep that in mind if dry clothes are a priority.

I don’t have much advice about specific spots on that end of the island, but if you have specific questions about weather, humidity, camp tips, etc, feel free to ask. Most anyone with a honey hole wouldn’t offer that up, but only a jerk wouldn’t give advice on staying comfortable in camp.

I prefer to camp in a hammock whenever possible. Are there enough trees in the campgrounds to do that? Have you done it or seen other people doing it?

I'm also considering kayaking to the west side. For those that take their own boat over, where do people park their vehicles while they camp on the island?

Thank you in advance.