So I'm in the early stages of looking into a hunt in Australia. My only "must have" animal on the list is buffalo. I definitely want to stalk a couple of those bad boys. I'd also like to chase pigs, dogs, cats, and whatever other interesting critters might be around. Some sort of mixed bag type hunt. Maybe some fishing? I don't care about fancy accommodations, just looking for a wild experience. Maybe whatever the equivalent of a 21-day east African tented safari would be? I know this is pretty vague, but just want to get a few ideas. Outfitters? Areas? anything

Schedule is wide open, but would prefer something in the summer months (June, July, August)

Any and all info would be much appreciated. I'm heading out and off the grid for a few weeks, so I will check this out when I get back.

thanks guys

This fella hasnt had a bad word written about him afaik.



www.biggameaustralia.com/
SAFARI OPERATOR - Graham Williams professional hunter, 19 years guiding experience. HUNT OUTFITTER - Consulting & booking Australia's best for ...

Even chuck hawks weighs in.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/hunt_down_under.htm

I know Graeme's hunting area very well. Superb buffalo numbers. I lived there for two years and killed two fantastic boars in that general area. But I wouldn't count on even seeing a good boar. Just not good pig country. Unfortunately. Great everything else, though.

Two operators that I can think of who access both boars and buffalo are Matt Graham and Karl Goodhand. I suspect Matt might have more access to other species to cull / hunt like donkeys, horses and cattle - in addition to pigs and buffalo.

Cats... Pretty hard to count on seeing / getting one. I shot one a few years ago. Missed one a couple years back. My mate got one when I took him hunting - got real lucky. I've only shot / trapped fifteen in my life so far. Other places in southern / central Australia have many more. A mate in Tasmania shoots them frequently.

I agree with the recommendation from Gryphon1. A friend and I hunted buffalo twice with Graham Williams and got huge buffalo both times. We saw lots of pigs on our second hunt. He can also line you up with other hunts.

Thanks for the info guys.

Yep. Karl Goodhand , Matt Graham and Graham Williams.

Hi again Bobby:
Check the seasons, think I've heard summer for us is their rainy season. Double check though. You sure don't want to get in the middle of that mess very bad.

I've tried three years to get over there with Matt. Just too many health problems. Looks like they've finally gotten me cured now. Feeling better everyday.

Wish you and your Dad well. Hope you can make the trip.
George

Wet season hunting sure is an adventure (wet, muddy trial). Have knocked over some good animals, but it is hard to find them.

My short list on Aus Buffalo is;
Graham Williams of Aus Buff Hunters
Matt Graham of Hunt Australia
Pete Mayall of Carl Goodhand Safaris
Barry Jones of Buffalo Safaris.
I'm a it biased with Graham Williams as I do selected hunts for him.
Really enjoy the Classic traditional safaris and love for big bore rifles he offers. Heaps of Buff also

take a handgun in your luggage...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
take a handgun in your luggage...

Yeah! Also take a toothbrush and a big tube of LUBE!

quote:

Originally posted by gryphon1:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
take a handgun in your luggage...

Yeah! Also take a toothbrush and a big tube of LUBE!

In other words "is quite illigal to take a handgun with you on your travels to Australia" However, should you want to use one, most outfits offer company handguns

Could someone please give us some facts on what is happening in the NT / Arnhemland areas?

Given the partial info on some other threads, I do not want to bash anyone. Just want facts.

Mate, the wark-warks are wark-warking; donkey-donkey bin sing-out allday; buliki just standing around; nganabbarru might-be standing around, too, or might-be him swim-swim; twobala boarpig bin dablimup midjal; little bit rain. That's what's happening.

What are the reds and fallow doing in NZ? I'm doing a lot of day-dreaming about deer lately.

Went right over my head mate! Not familiar with your lingo!

Red road would have finished by early May & fallow a bit later.

Sika roar would have finished early June.

Now will be all cold winter hunting in the Central North island. Frost on the ground, frozen boots, bone chilling miserable weather. Made worse if it rains. Wood will be wet and a real pain to light a fire even in a hut!

Our spring hunting does not start till mid November.

Frozen boots! I might have to upgrade my thongs!

Specially if its one like this

There was this one time, in a saltwater crocodile infested swamp, where something like that was my sad attire!

If you really want an adventure, Simon Kyle-Little of Australian Big Game Safaris hunts some of the wildest land in Arnhemland. There's no tourism, no mining and no culling. Your only way in there is as a hunter with Simon. Camp is nothing fancy and Simon will walk you into the ground but it is one of the greatest adventures left. He has buff, ox, wild boar and awesome fishing.

The book his father wrote is one of my favourites.

I just returned from an absloutely great hunt with Graham Williams in Arnham Land. Way out in the bush. I can recommend him without reservation. If I can answer any questions for you please PM me or call at 575-439-5015.

Gracias,

Hoot

Oh, I forgot. Send me your e-mail address and I can send you some photos.

Hoot

Send them to Matt!

Was there much flow in the river at camp Hoot? Very dry this season.

The river (Bonanza Creek) had a good deal of water in it but it was down from previous years. Graham said that it was the driest he had seen the area in the 19 years he has been hunting there. We crossed a few water ways that Graham said that in all his years there he had never seen them dry. Graham said that there will probably be a die off of the older cows before the drought is over

Just got back in town to see many new posts here and that other thread by Aaron. Wow. Might have to just wait a bit and see whats going on. Planning on talking to some folks at DSC. thanks again for all of the info!

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
If you really want an adventure, Simon Kyle-Little of Australian Big Game Safaris hunts some of the wildest land in Arnhemland. There's no tourism, no mining and no culling. Your only way in there is as a hunter with Simon. Camp is nothing fancy and Simon will walk you into the ground but it is one of the greatest adventures left. He has buff, ox, wild boar and awesome fishing.

this sounds great. I will look into it. Thank you

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Hi again Bobby:
Check the seasons, think I've heard summer for us is their rainy season. Double check though. You sure don't want to get in the middle of that mess very bad.

I've tried three years to get over there with Matt. Just too many health problems. Looks like they've finally gotten me cured now. Feeling better everyday.

Wish you and your Dad well. Hope you can make the trip.
George

Will do. Thanks George! Hope you are doing well

A lot of Australians hunt with Goodhand, for me that is worth a look.

But I think he is quite a bit bigger operation, kind of a Walt Disney of Australian buffalo hunting.

Mary River is another option. Steep prices, and some of it is high fenced but you can do the entire thing there; buffalo, barramundi, sambar, rusa, hogs and banteng.

That and Mary River is close to Kakadu.

I second Simon Kyle Little. Hunted with him a few years back and it was incredible. Simon is a survivor and if you want adventure, he has it in spades.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
A lot of Australians hunt with Goodhand, for me that is worth a look.

But I think he is quite a bit bigger operation, kind of a Walt Disney of Australian buffalo hunting.

Mary River is another option. Steep prices, and some of it is high fenced but you can do the entire thing there; buffalo, barramundi, sambar, rusa, hogs and banteng.

That and Mary River is close to Kakadu.

Just don't wonder onto the army Mary river Training area, might run into a leopard..............it will have a bigger gun than you and adds new meaning to heavy tough skinned critter.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

Mary River is another option. Steep prices, and some of it is high fenced but you can do the entire thing there; buffalo, barramundi, sambar, rusa, hogs and banteng.

That and Mary River is close to Kakadu.

But why hunt high fenced when one can hunt true wilderness? Why hunt a "preserve" when real hunting is available and good hunting out in the wilds?

Just my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by bobby7321:
Just got back in town to see many new posts here and that other thread by Aaron. Wow. Might have to just wait a bit and see whats going on. Planning on talking to some folks at DSC. thanks again for all of the info!

Bobby, there are good operators out there. I have hunted with Graham Williams and when I hunted with him, no problems. He comes across as a straight shooter and no BS guy. I can recommend him.

I am surprised Joe Wilson doesn't receive mention?
I could only recommend the man but cannot account for his operation, local here say and reputation lays claim to Joe's life in Arhnemland. l met him 16yrs ago in the Arafura Swamp, to this day he remains unforgettably and deservingly etched into my mind.
I hear you can reach him through Gunsmoke Adventures.

I just got back from a hunt with Joe Wilson, booked with BArry at gun smoke Adventures. HAd a great time and will post a report in a few days

Looks like I'll be hunting with Simon next August. Thanks to everyone for the recommendations!

Bobby:
Good luck and hope you enjoy the trip and game plan etc. Take your Dad too, and brother of course they deserve to share in this one like all the others you have had together. Hunt the works and not just buff while you're there.

I'm doing better all the time it seems, still have a hole in my belly from the Jan 7th pancreas surgery. Nurse friend said: "once you have back or pancreas problems you'll always have them". DAMN, not what I wanted to hear.
But, I'm doing ok. hauling dirt, running the lathe, tinkering in the shop etc. Now trying to do some maintenance on the gable, soffit and facia 13' to 18' off a ladder. Don't really feel safe with this brace on my foot but, am taking it easy. I used to live on that ladder. Whole different deal now.

Building another rifle again! That game is a money pit! 1917 Enfield, .243 this time. Got the Shaw barrel ten days ago. This should complete my dream set of hunting rifles all alike as best they can be made. Re: .243, '06, .300Win, .358 U/M. Don't really have a desire for a big bore or I might build one on this last action. All nice wood too.

Take care my friend, and please use that leather one of these days!!

George