Nitro dropped in for a visit on his NT road trip and with the help of a mate we went out after a cow buff for meat. Saw some buff but most were male and the cows we did see were very flighty so we couldn't get close enough for an positive ID or a shot. Here are some pics of the buff we saw, the first one's are all male and they were just off the road. They stood around for awhile so we both got some pics.

Interesting the way they stand with their heads out semi-horizontal . Must make for very difficult frontal headshots.

Other cattle species dont seem to stand in that manner , apart from the African buffalo...

Thanks guys .

Nice picture!
How would you rate the wariness of the waterbuffalo? Are these animals not shot at from cars or is this just an unhunted area?
G.Boghossian
P.S Have you tried potting one with your 6.5x55?

I haven't had alot of experience with buff to comment. These ones were mostly males and they hung around for a while.They were closer but moved back as we got out of the vehicle and got the cameras out. The cows with young in the water hole took off quickly and other groups we saw took off as soon as they saw us. It was the first time I've been to that property so I don't know if they were hunted alot, but there is a guiding operation in the area. Another property I hunt on the buff will watch you drive past but if you stop and get out they take off.

As to the 6.5, I've helped kill a cow with one but I wouldn't try it again.

From my limited experience cow herds and herds with calves are more flighty and run away sometimes very easily.

Bulls sometimes either just stand and stare or take off, seems to alternate. Sometimes the bull wants you out of the way as you are in his road.

These bulls stood watching us but part of the same herd or another only a hundred metres away took off quickly when they noticed us.

In Arnhemland in August cow herds on the other hand which were easily spooked during the day allowed us to drive right in among them on dusk.

It should be remembered that some of these areas get "traffic" from very remote areas where humans are not common. You may be one of the first humans they have seen.