The first three parts of my hunt story for the August hunt have been added on the thread below.

"Buff, Bulls, Barra & Bream"







.

Very nice -- I am quite jealous. Great job on the story and photos. I am looking forward to the remaining portions.

John,

Enjoyed the first three parts, looking forward to the rest of the story.

Hog Killer

Really a good report. Looks like a great hunt for all.
Gene

Darn Nitro, those photos just make me want to go out and book another Australian hunt! Brings back those memories of shooting a big bull buffalo at 12 yards (paced it off of course), rolling over a huge old grey banteng bull in Coburg before he knew what hit him, and chasing the elusive Sambar. Bara filets with a good Australian wine! Taking a saratoga off the hook without getting bit! Australian hunting is the best kept secret around.

I am jealous too

Gosh this hurts, Wonderful stuff Nitrox.


I must pay a visit to the Dark Continent; no not Africa, Austruckinfalia.

Nice!

NitroX ,
Good stuff . Just been up there myself on a pig hunt . Can't have been too far away from where you hunted by the sound of it . Great country . I'm going back .

Nitrox,
The comments about the 6.5 Man are interesting, the use of the word adequate is perfectly acceptable. Adequate means sufficient, which is a $10 word for enough. Do you think the 9.3x62 enough for Water Buffalo? It's the largest calibre I carry these days.

Please give me some idea how much a trip, such as the one you have described; after landing in Aussie, might cost.

Are there any restrictions placed on the visiting hunter and his weapons?

Providing I'm fit enough, I can't think of a better way of celebrating my 65th birthday than a trip to the "Dark Continent" and knocking over one or two of those Buffs.


Thank you.

oldun ,
Not trying to crash NitroX's party but there are some ideas of costs in my post on the "Buffalo hunt , are you interested?" thread .These are bottom end prices . The sky is the limit if you want silver service and martinis at sunset .
A good safari operator will help you with getting your firearm into Oz .Shouldn't be a drama .
Quite a few buffalo have been taken with the 9.3 x 62 and smaller .Can be done if you place your shots carefully .Something bigger would be nice if you were unlucky enough to face a charge .They are a big , tough animal .

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Nitrox,
The comments about the 6.5 Man are interesting, the use of the word adequate is perfectly acceptable. Adequate means sufficient, which is a $10 word for enough. Do you think the 9.3x62 enough for Water Buffalo? It's the largest calibre I carry these days.

When I can put some of Orion's photos up with his comments and any I add, you will see how a 6.5mm Mannlicjer-Schoenauer performed. To jump ahead, it certainly kills them and so it should but there are limitations.

Firstly I would discuss this with the outfitter you intend to use. Most recommend a .375 H&H Magnum as the minimum and most have .375s or .416s as "loaner" rifles if needed.

Practically the 9.3x62 is far off a .375. I am going to use a 9.3x74R (plus my .450) on a buffalo cull next week, so should be able to report more after that. With the .450 I love to try to shoot through the shoulder into the lungs/heart/spine to break bone and damage the vitals. However I think with a oft point 9.3mm I will shoot for just behind the shoulder unless I use solids.

quote:

Please give me some idea how much a trip, such as the one you have described; after landing in Aussie, might cost.

Most buffalo hunts in Arnhemland are either 5 day or 7 day hunts. Arnhemland is where the larger herds of buffalo are now located. It is not high fenced and they are wild herds.

Most water buffalo hunts for a 1x1 hunt will cost between $6000 and $8000 including one buffalo trophy fee. Additional buffalo trophy fees go for around $1500 to $2000 each. It is often necessary to charter a plane to the camp. Discuss this with the outfitter. Usually a minimum of $500 each person. This can vary due to a number of factors.

Cull hunts as described in the other thread are not trophy hunts and are a completely different type of hunt. Make sure you understand the difference if you book one of those. A cull hunt is more about numbers of game shot rather than taking a trophy home worth hanging on the wall. Look carefully at the trophy fees being asked (up to $4500 for a single animal) and why they are so high. Cull hunts certainly have their attractions but just be aware of the difference. You will see the difference when I post the photos from next week.

BTW I received an email from Hunt Australia and they also do occasional cull hunts where they ask the clients to bring hundreds of rounds PER DAY! No per animal fee either.

The camps are not "silver service" and not "martinis". They do provide some comforts however. Last years camp was a permanent camp with 'donkey' shower (fireshower with water pressure supplied from a tower), flush toilet, meshed dining area, and nice tents with camp beds.

This year's camp was a 'nomadic' camp and is shifted from time to time to keep the hunting areas fresh. We were the second week of this camp. As a moving camp it is a little more simple. Still had hot showers and comfortable tents. Portable fridges and freezers (4) so fresh foods, salads and cold drinks. A meshed dining area wasn't necessary as there were far less mosquitos. Being inland (away from saltwater crocs) they are always situated near a creek or waterhole for swimming.

Different camps for the different circumstances.

quote:

Are there any restrictions placed on the visiting hunter and his weapons?

Yes, no semi-automatic rifles or shotguns and no pump-action shotguns. No pistols for hunting.

You will need to get a visitors firearms licence. These are really just a formality but involve paperwork. All the good outfitters assist with these and do them for every client, but leave a couple months for the paperwork to be done.

quote:

Providing I'm fit enough, I can't think of a better way of celebrating my 65th birthday than a trip to the "Dark Continent" and knocking over one or two of those Buffs.

Hey the Dark Continent is Africa, we are the Red Continent (red because of the iron oxides in the soil). It sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a 65th birthday.

I can recommend the following outfitters from personal experience. Last year I hunted with Matt Graham. This year with Graham Williams. Tell them I recommend you to them if you contact them. I will hunt with both again I hope.

Matt Graham at Hunt Australia
mattgraham@huntaust.com.au

Graham Williams at Australian Buffalo Hunters
buffalo@gateway.net.au


If you have any other questions please feel free to PM or email me.

Nitrox,

Australia is the "Dark Continent", why?
'Cus it's in New Zealands' shadow!


Thanks mate for the information on Buff hunting.

HA HA

waihei

ORION

The saga continues .... the August Arnhemland hunt story continues - new parts added

Orion's photos and some comments and hunt stories added to the "Buff, Bulls, Barra & Bream" thread on the link above. See parts IV and VII.

Some photos.



Orion's boar, the first kill of the hunt for us. The only boar taken that week.



Paul the guide and Orion the happy hunter. Orion's first buffalo.



Celebratory drinks and cigars.



A spot of fishing.



Here we have Helen Williams, dubbed "Dianna" for her sharp game spotting eyes and Orion. Another buffalo bull falls to the tiny 6.5x54 MM Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Careful shooting is required for such a small calibre and cartridge.

My first buffalo bull for 2005.

The story of the August hunt is in part III of the link. Added previously but some photos for your enjoyment here.



A red bull for American client, Wal. A nice old bull which put up a dance before succumbing to several bullets. Finished off with my Jeffrey .450 double.


Many more photos to come.

I think that photo of your double on those buff horns should be in the'' Double gun journal '' its a real classic photo !!! Nitro X

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Nitrox,

Australia is the "Dark Continent", why?
'Cus it's in New Zealands' shadow!

Only in the morning.


***

Velodog,

Thanks, I like it too.

Thats great Nitro, I want to do simlar stuff one day !!

No "babes" in the mix?

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
No "babes" in the mix?

I assume you mean of the "pink and rosy skinned kind", no unfortunately that was the week after.

Great pics Nitro.

Gentlemen--

I just added a new thread having missed this one. I am looking for the bush bulls, water buffalo, and especially BANTENG. Where is the best location and month to go.