Hi Folks

If anyone is interested - I just sent out a newsletter which can be viewed online...
Cheers Matt

Hunt Australia - March Newsletter

Excellent read, Matt.

Good read.

Matt could you tell us/me about Banteng,what are they like to hunt?? are they as hard to put down as water buffalo??

Thanks for the comments Rugeruser...

Hi Top Predator

The banteng of course are a unique hunting species, in that Australia is the only place in the world where they can still be seriously hunted. They are very much endangered in their home range (certain islands of Indonesian Archepelago) and there is no sport hunting in Indonesia anyhow. There ae a few banteng in game ranches in the USA but very small numbers. The banteng is one of the true wild oxen of Asia. They are found in a totally wild state but they have been domesticated as well, which is how they came to Australia

Banteng were bought to the Nortern Territory in the 1830's along with the water buffalo. In Australia we have two main hunting areas - the main one is Cobourg Peninsular (Garig Garlu... somthing ....National Park) where there are upward of a 5000 HEAD banteng herd. This are is not only one of the few National Parks in Australia that allow hunting but it is also a traditional aboriginal owned and occupied area. The banteng are treated as a resource by the aboriginal owners and are food source to a lesser extent. It is very debatable how much damage the banteng do to the Park but the herd fluctuates dramatically, so there is a big need for more pro-active game management there to stop the 'boom and bust' scenario. The banteng are 'tolerated' by the Australian authorities - there only saving graces being their international rarity and the income they provide for the traditional owners through guided safari hunting. Each year 30-40 banteng are permitted to be hunted in the Park and all hunting must be conducted under the auspices of one of the two licenced operators there. You can only hunt on Cobourg with a guide (ie. no self guiding)

The second hunting area is a private game ranch in the Northern Territory with a herd of some 300 banteng. At present they are harvesting 15-18 bulls per year and the herd is growing. This herd is maintained behind strong cattle-fence... ie. not high fence. The demand for banteng is very strong at the moment and considering that they are one of the rarest game animals on earth with really only up to 55 tags available at the moment they are generally sold-out and the price has been rising steadily. Depending on the hunt, at the moment you are looking at the range of US$8500-11,000 for a banteng hunting package and that price will rise every year as the demand, costs and trophy fee pressure increases.

In habit the banteng is much more like a deer, in that it prefers the heavy bush in the creeklines during the day. You generally have to hunt them at close quarters in the thick brush. They are nowhere near as heavy as an Asiatic buffalo, nor as difficult to 'put down' but they are much more agressive and much more prone to charge at a perceived threat, especially when wounded. They are very flighty however and their natural tendancy is to run away when disturbed, as do most animals.

I hope this answers sufficiently..

Cheers for now
Matt

Thanks Matt,at those prices ill stick to Buffalo and scrub bulls