Preserving a Hunter's Pride: The Restoration and Display of Nicholson's Sambar Trophy

Hunting and Wildlife Magazine - Issue 224 - Autumn 2024

Words By: Gwyn Thurlow, Secretary of NZDA National Heritage Trust

Clyde Nicholson, a distinguished hunter and member, contacted the Nelson Branch secretary in April of last year to track down the whereabouts of his famous sambar head. Clyde mentioned offering the trophy deer head to the National Office in Wellington in his email in 2016. He stated that Bill O'Leary, the then National President of the Deerstalkers Association, had accepted the offer on behalf of the Association. Recently, Clyde's friends visited the Wellington headquarters to see the sambar trophy head he had donated. However, the person they spoke to was unaware of its whereabouts. Clyde, therefore, decided to investigate and contacted the Nelson Branch secretary. Upon receiving the email, Gwyn Thurlow, the Secretary of the NZDA National Heritage Trust, confirmed that the head was indeed in the possession of the NZDA at Wellington. However, he informed Clyde that the head was not on display as it was earmarked for remounting. Gwyn stated that the head would be displayed once the remounting was complete.

The Rotorua Branch of the NZDA, via correspondence with Gary Winslade, offered to procure a sambar stag head-skin. John Riley, the NZDA Heritage Trust trustee, confirmed that a spot had been earmarked on the wall in the main mezzanine area for the head’s display. Vern and Louise Pearson of Sika Country Taxidermy, Taupo, were happy to mount the head and collected the old and original head from Wellington at the Ferry Terminal in late May from Gwyn. They also received a head skin, as Gary Winslade of Rotorua Branch promised, which Peter and Dawn Carter donated. Over the following months, the head was remounted. Peter and Dawn Carter saw the magnificent head at Taupō and were pleased with the remounting. They arranged for their daughter to transport it back to Stokes Valley, where it was delivered to John and Dulcie Riley's house before returning to the national office. It is displayed publicly on the wall for all to see – just as Clyde envisioned. The total cost to NZDA of the remounting was $1,300, funded by the Heritage Levy paid by senior members, with the rest of the “cost” funded by volunteer time, including a discount on a full-price mount by Sika Country Taxidermy.

In D. Bruce Banwell’s series ‘Great New Zealand Deer Heads’, this trophy features on pages 118-119 as “Sambar No. 6”. The following is an extract about the Nicholson head:

“If ever there was a non-typical set of sambar antlers, well, here they are. For those uninitiated in the field of sambar and sambar hunting, it is usual for these animals to carry shorter but heavier antlers than their cousins, the red deer, and generally carry three points on each side — a brow tine and what is referred to as an "inner" and an "outer", the actual "tops". This set of antlers belonging to Clyde Nicholson of Galatea carry five points on each side, and the shape of the horns is quite different from the traditional 'sweep' of the normal six-pointers.

“This trophy was taken on the western side of the Rangitikei River near the Matahina dam site on leased land utilised for forestry. The country in question is a mixture of open pasture and stands of exotic pine. The topography of the area is generally rolling-hill country with wide, grass-covered valley floors.

“Nicholson was hunting in the early morning. He was stalking along the edge of the pine forest and "spooked" the stag which trotted for cover. Nicholson fired at him only managing to wound him. A short hunt into the forest secured the animal and a very fine trophy. If not as large as some, which tend to make it, it certainly has other attributes in dimensions or scores of the more interesting trophies near the top of the list.

“Before we move on to the trophies produced in the Manawatū, perhaps the time is opportune to mention something about two subjects connected with the sambar occupying the Bay of Plenty, and in particular, those around the area from which this stag was secured.

“Firstly, there have been fairly unwise and unproven claims of hybridisation between sambar and the neighbouring rusa deer of the Galatea, Whakatane River area. Because the sambar is the bigger animal of the two species which are, of course, very closely related, most claims have been that certain unusual trophies , because of their obvious quality have sambar blood in their veins. It is interesting to note that, as far as I can ascertain, there are none in reverse! On the other hand, I understand from the experts that there have been instances where some trophies, obviously showing strong sambar characteristics and coming from an established sambar range, have been claimed to be rusa. So, such instances are generally built around trophies that are sambar and not quite in the top class, or if rusa, when they are in the top bracket. Is not human nature a rather funny thing? However, we shall cover the hybridisation angle under the headings of some of our good rusa trophies, which is much more appropriate for discussion of that topic.

“The second point to be raised is the fact that since 1982, there has supposedly been a moratorium on these animals. What a farce this has turned out to be. As usual, it is the responsible hunting and sportsman who attempts to honour it, probably supported the concept from the onset, and could well have helped instigate it.

“Unfortunately, there has been continued hunting pressure applied on these animals, especially in the Rotorua area, and in particular from one section of the public not renowned for responsibility anyway. It is high time such moratoriums are enforced and those ignoring them prosecuted and heavily fined.”

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