Sambar deer

Scientific name: Rusa unicolor

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

A large, dark reddish-brown to blackish deer with a shaggy coat and prominent mane along the neck and shoulders. Males are notably larger and darker than females, with thick, three-pointed antlers; females are smaller and lack antlers.

Size and weight

Males 200–270 kg, females 100–150 kg; body length 170–260 cm. Males stand 120–150 cm at shoulder.

Habitat

Sambar inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, preferring dense woodlands with access to water sources. They occupy altitudes from sea level to 2,500 m, favoring areas with thick understory and permanent or seasonal water.

Distribution

Native to South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Inhabits forested regions from lowland plains to montane zones.

Diet

Grazes and browses on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fallen fruit; dietary composition shifts seasonally toward available vegetation and fruiting trees.

Behaviour

Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal; solitary or in small groups of 2–4 animals, though loose aggregations form near water sources. Highly alert and vocal, producing distinctive alarm barks.

Hunting tips

Look for deep, splayed hoofprints in soft ground and dark pellets in clusters near feeding areas and water; fresh rubs on saplings and bark scuffing indicate male presence. Approach upwind in early morning or late afternoon along water sources and forest edges, moving slowly through dense cover. Stalk cautiously—sambar are alert and mobile; use terrain folds and vegetation to mask your approach.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.