Thanks Again Ann!

I'll check and see if he'll be,the Eastern in Harrisburg Pa in Feb. I ususlly try and make it there.I have lots of questions and a face to face would be great.

I read NitroX adventure here and learned volumes.

thanks

wolfsangle

Good luck!

Wolfsangle,

I've sent your request on to Les Kosek of Terra Incognita Guides. He works with Brett Ottley of Bawaninga Safaris. I've met Brett on several shows, and I have friends who have hunted with him. I recommend him highly. I can tell you more about him if you are interested, or you can ask Les all you want to know (lesterra@ozemail.com.au)


Regards,

Frans

"I'm in the begining stages of planning a Water Buffalo Hunt in either 2006 or 2007.

Searching the internet I see theres Island Hunts and Mainlands Hunts. Is there any avantages to either ...?"



Be careful of the "island hunts". If you are talking about Melville Island the buffalo are reported to be smaller there, so check out the trophy size expected from the outfitter offering them.





"... I plan to bring my wife along as an observer?"



Easy.





"Any recomendations of who to book with?"



Hunt Australia. They have been around for over twenty years. Matt Graham is a good guy and excellent PH.



There are other good outfitters too but I have no personal experience with them. Yet!





"I want to try to get a Bull in the upper 90s+ and would appreciate any info on good areas etc."



Aiming for a bull in the upper 90's+ is a good target. Also look for horns you like not just inches.



While no good outfitter guarantees trophy size that shouldn't be a problem. In fact with Hunt Australia at Gan Gan I expect you will see high 90's if not a 100+ on the first day. Most clients take their bull by Day 2. I don't hunt by size alone but wanted a bull which 'looked right' to me. I would have been happy to take a really old high 90's bull with worn tips but it was the morning of day 1! They look good when staring you down at 20 yards.



So decided to keep looking.





"I am very happy!" Not a representative bull (better) but another one the same size

the taken by the next client as well, also with Matt. You do not have to get into the

water and mud. This is just how this hunt went.



Gan Gan is in Eastern Arnhemland on the Gulf of Carpentaria and is a true wilderness area. The only other people in the area are about 20 Aboriginal traditional owners who live maybe seven kilometres away by foot (15 kms by road ) and the Aboriginal owners are probably the reason why there are so many buff there. They didn't want the government eradiction programme shooting out their safari industry.



Gan Gan has lots of good wetlands which attracts lots of good buffalo.





Note the buffalo in the background. This is a cropped photo and shows just a few.



Check with any prospective outfitter where their concession is. Some outfitters do not have a permanent concession to hunt on.



"Also I want to use a Ruger No.1 in 375 H&H,is that ok and is there any big deal bringing my own in country as long as I follow the rules and get proper documents?"



A .375 H&H is fine. I hunted with "Steve" in August this year and his Ruger No. 1 in .375 Weatherby killed just as well as my .450 if not even better.



Hunt Australia brings in well over 20 sets of firearms with their clients each year so know the paperwork very well. They will send to you a info pack and documents to fill out when booking. I would bring my own rifle as it does add to the hunt to use your own rifle.





Steve with his trophy taken with a Ruger No. 1 in

.375 Weatherby. This bull went just under 100

(at 99.5 inches) and is a nice trophy.





"How many days are normally needed for a trophy hunt?"



5 days is the usual booking. If hunting 1x1 you can hang out and try for a really good one, or if you get an 'itchy trigger finger' some fishing or try for some of the wandering pigs.





"this will be a once in a lifetime hunt unless I hit the lottery."



Ha ha! Never. Do it again and again. I love hunting in the "Top End". I am hoping to hunt there this year again.



We are doing a group hunt for August 2005 which allows four hunters to get a very good deal. If it sells out we may do one for 2006 and annually. Promises to be a good time. Check out the thread on it.



2005 Nitro Express Water Buffalo Hunt and story from 2004



Drop me an email if you want and I can send you more info.



Safaris@NitroExpress.com

Thank you very much! I read your hunt story and it excited me to no end!

Great Hunt Great Story Great Bulls!



I will complie a few questions and email you. I'm in the very infancy of my planning stages '06 seems possible to me.So I want to get on it and get my research done and funds gathered.



As for once in a lifetime,well this looks addicting!

wolfsangle

A friend and I hunted with Graham Williams of Australian Buffalo Hunters in August and had a great hunt. He runs 6-1/2 day hunts. On the fourth day I got a nice bull that scored 101-1/2. We saw hundreds of buffalo each day. That was one of the best hunts I have ever had. If you are going to SCI in Reno, please visit with Graham. You would be hard-pressed to find an outfitter who works harder to ensure you have a good time than Graham. You can find his website at: http://www.gateway.net.au/~buffalo/main.htm

Please e-mail me if you would like any more information.

Dang, I was hoping to go to Australia hunting, but with the prices I see here, I'll pass.
$15,000 for 1 Water buffalo? $5,900 for a seven day hunt?
I'll go to Africa. More animals and a lot cheaper.