30/08/2026
REVIEW OF THE HUNT SMART SYSTEM BOOK by Dick Power (the late.)
The author, Errol Mason, is well known in sambar hunting circles as a hunter, guide and prodigious writer on all subjects relating to these magnificent deer. As an educator, and a man with a bent for chronological and forensic examination of the facts, and the facts only, it follows that he is a fairly intense individual - this is the cornerstone of his style, his narrative is direct and to the point. However, one of the outstanding successes of this book is the manner in which it is written; throughout the chapters he creates a matrix of sound practical knowledge straight out of the bush. Solid facts become overlays that are presented to the reader in a well-constructed and flowing style - this in effect takes the mystery out of a most difficult subject.
I have been involved in hunting and photographing sambar deer for over fifty years, and during every one of those years I have continually sought to know and understand more, and I remain convinced that knowledge is the real trophy. Here is the manuscript of knowledge, all 460 pages of it, specifically written for sambar hunters - from new to the experienced. Errol sets out to explain that sambar deer have predictable habits and patterns of behaviour and explores the whys and wherefores behind this predictability - they are not, as often described, ghosts. Every conceivable aspect of hunting sambar is included in the written word and further supported with photos and precise visual displays - nothing is left out.
The content is wonderfully broad based and includes a comprehensive cross section of experienced sambar hunters’ personal observations, which in effect rounds out and balances the content, and underwrites the quality and authenticity of the huge amount of information supplied by the author. Errol very successfully blends the above with his own lifelong experiences, thoughts and observations and skilfully weaves them into The Hunt Smart System ®.
This book is, and will remain, the go to reference on sambar hunting, and it is very unlikely that any other writer could, or would, spend the time and effort that is required to produce such a product. It is lavishly illustrated with high-quality photos provided by Errol and other sambar ‘tragics’, and the magnificent design and graphic illustrations greatly enhance the commentary and observations made.
Is a photo, and the manner in which it is displayed, worth a thousand words? Open the pages and I am sure you will agree that it is. The book exudes quality, and the graphic artistry, design and presentation is of course the hallmark of Errol’s highly talented wife Lynne. Being that I come from ‘back in the day’, I have seen a lot of books and magazines, there are none that match, or exceed, the professionalism of Lynne Mason’s work.
This book is the work of a sambar man, a man of the cloth, and it is and will always remain a classic. To all the seekers of knowledge and understanding, this is your book, and it is highly recommended.
Dick Power (the late)
Formerly of Eildon
About Dick Power - “The Master of in Close.”
For 60 or so years Dick Power hunted Sambar and the World’s Big Game – many stories about were published in our Secrets of the Sambar & Other Cervidae magazine. Dick devoted the past 20 or so years of his life photographing Sambar and is well known for his superb “up close and personal” photographs, many of which enhanced the 18 issues of our magazine and our book The Hunt Smart System. Due to his unique ability to consistently take superb close-up photos of these Magnificent Big Brown Deer, I bestowed upon him the title “The Master of in Close.”
More about The Hunt Smart System book.
The Hunt Smart System book includes countless overlays which if applied correctly really do narrow down where the deer are going to be to just 10 per cent of the total forest.
The Overlays which a hunter should apply in the various types of weather, the varying levels of hunting pressure and how far they typically move before bedding down for the day are explained in detail in this full colour, hard cover, 464-page A4 book. After I have explained each overlay in minute detail, it is followed by a story describing how a past Hunt Smart Training Course participant applied a number of overlays to locate and harvest a trophy Sambar stag.
To read more glowing reviews of The Hunt Smart System book by other highly successful Sambar hunters such as Jimmy Lay, Neil Hair, Leon Alexander and Robert Hoggard - please go to:
https://www.sambardeer.com/books-dvds/the-hunt-smart-system-book-reviews
Testimonials for Volumes 1, 2 and 3 can be seen at https://www.sambardeer.com/success-stories/sots-trilogy
Sambar stags plus countless hinds taken by clients when I guided full time from 2000 to 2005 can be viewed at https://www.sambardeer.com/success-stories/fully-guided.
They can also be viewed on our Secrets of the Sambar YouTube channel. If would like to read more about our journey go to https://www.sambardeer.com/about/about-us
