Field guide
Sambar deer
The largest deer in New Zealand, and uncommon. Sambar are confined to a small part of the lower North Island and are rarely encountered.
Rusa unicolor
Where you’ll find them
Very localised. Sambar hold to heavy cover and swampy margins, and sightings are scarce enough that most hunters never see one.
Dogs and 1080
Standard 1080 precautions apply where operations overlap their range.
Check 1080 operationsBefore you go
Seasons, permits, firearms rules and access conditions differ by region and by land status, and they change. We don’t publish them — check with the authority for the land you’re on: DOC for public conservation land, your regional council for pest rules, and the landowner for private land.