Looks like I might get to combine some vacation with a mid-November business trip to Canberra.

Any good bow hunting at that time? (Does not need to be near Canberra, but that'd be a bonus.)

I live in Canberra.

Here's the gouge on the Australian Capitol Territory and New South Whales, and some ideas on Victoria:

No hunting on public land in the ACT.

But if you found a private land owner that would allow you to hunt, you could probably make that work.

NSW, this could happen a couple ways.

You can't legally hunt public land (State Forest, National Parks and so on) unless you are a member of a Hunting Club approved by New South Whales Game Counsel and have taken the NSW Game Counsel hunting test. If they catch you without all the proper paperwork the Game Counsel will press charges.

You could hire a guide, if you google search it there is a guy near Goulburn (100 KM) from Canberra that has reds and fallow deer. http://raptorridgeranch.com/index.html As a tour operator he could get you license.

In Victoria you can buy a license over the phone, and go hunting.

If you don't buy a license and get caught it is the same as poaching in a western state. They take vehicle, all bows/firearms and you pay big. So far it is the only Australian state with similar game laws as America.

From Canberra, if you can't find deer in NSW
- or pigs if that is your bent - then I'd hop on the highway down to Vic after deer.

It's a quick and easy drive (with only one roadworks section ATM) and easy to get to
plus plenty of places to stay.

Thanks, guys.

I'm not zoned in on hunting any particular animal or place. Just want to see some of the country.

A water buff would be nice, but I guess it's the wrong time of the year.

I grew up hunting pigs, and I like it.

Getting a bit late but as long as you like hot weather - 40+ high humidity, jump on a plane to Darwin and book a hunt with an outfitter.

It's only a 5 - 6 hours of airport and flying.

Could get pigs up there as well.

And if it hasn't rained by then which is likely,
game will be concentrated depending on where you go.

.

Mid Nov in the top end is excruciatingly horrible with the weather.Mid Nov in Victoria is hot and terrible too for decent game.Anywhere in between is a trial as well unless you fluke the right day and the right place.

Things slow right down in OZ`s summer.

The worst part about Canberra in November is going to be the snakes in the bush. Saw a huge King Brown last year near the house while hiking. Kind of did me in until we started to get a freeze again.

Let me know what your doing and I'll try and meet you for a beer.

Yeah, I figured the hot. miserable weather part. Since I'm coming from Colorado I will have had 3 months of cool weather at home by that time. Hot and humid makes it hard to get excited about camping! Any mountainous areas where it at least cools down at night?

Any suggestions on outfitters, areas welcome.

NSW/ACT would be difficult.

Could organise a buffalo or banteng hunt in the NT for you at that time... plus a few other options in other states. Easy to fly to a state capital and access some hunting areas by road.

just shoot me an email if you are interested in any of this/ office@huntaust.com.au

Cheers
Matt

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G:
Any suggestions on outfitters, areas welcome.

Matt who posted above.


November isn't that bad. Mornings are better and it does build up during the day. Just drink plenty of water !

.

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G: Any mountainous areas where it at least cools down at night?

Any suggestions on outfitters, areas welcome.

Even in the higher country its as hot as all fuckery,though you can still have an unseasonal cold spell at times,i wouldn't count on it though.
You could hunt Sambar deer too in the first 2 hours after dawn or the last hour of the day as well,I wouldn't recommend that either due to the temps that can still be extreme,at least too hot for comfort to go with the possibility of all things that bite being in your way.But of course you can still do it and I am still photographing them in Mid Nov but have the luxury of being able to pick a day to suit the task and if its too hot I will not go out.

There are however open country goats and pigs to be had in numbers in the right places and a lot of that can be done from vehicles in NSW. AIR CON vehicles that is!
Further north the same with the addition of donkeys,camels perhaps scrubbers.

And of course you could always book into Water Valley where the other side go.

Gryph

If a bloke is here in Aus for a short time only
and it just happens to be late Oct / November,
it's still doable.

Putting up with a week of hot and humid weather,
as long as you are not walking 10 - 20kms a day in it - which IS very hard, especially if carrying gun, ammo and water, then considering the opportunity it's worth doing IMHO and worth the reward.

Some outfitters might be able to do a far bit of coverage in an air Con vehicle, not that it's needed.

Just my HO.

.

quote:

Originally posted by 505G:
Gryph

If a bloke is here in Aus for a short time only
and it just happens to be late Oct / November,
it's still doable.

Putting up with a week of hot and humid weather,
as long as you are not walking 10 - 20kms a day in it - which IS very hard, especially if carrying gun, ammo and water, then considering the opportunity it's worth doing IMHO and worth the reward.

Some outfitters might be able to do a far bit of coverage in an air Con vehicle, not that it's needed.

Just my HO.

.

Is true

quote:

Originally posted by gryphon1:

And of course you could always book into Water Valley where the other side go.

Some enjoy hunting the largest (by far) game-ranch in the South Pacific! Arguably the best available fallow deer hunting in Australia - both inside and outside the wire (not that time of year of course). Very good seasons down there at the moment too!!

Could always do a nice free-range chital/axis hunt at that time too.... good times!!

Thanks, Guys. I've got a little while to look around, and will check out all your suggestions.

I've hunted chital at Water Valley in November. Only the Asiatics will be in hard antler then and some will also be in velvet. And Banteng with Matt on the Coburg Peninsula in November as well.

November is known as the suicide season in the Top End. Coburg at least is surrounded by sea so is cooler than inland. Midday is pretty hot.

November anywhere can be hot. OK for a few hours in the mornings and evenings. Game too sits still during the midday. Except for stupid feral goats.

Worth looking at your options if you are willing to fly around a bit. Realistically you will do better with a guide or a local willing to take you out wherever you go.

quote:

Originally posted by MOA TACTICAL:
The worst part about Canberra in November is going to be the snakes in the bush. Saw a huge King Brown last year near the house while hiking. Kind of did me in until we started to get a freeze again.

Let me know what your doing and I'll try and meet you for a beer.

Me too.

I'm new to Canberra, but we could meet and have a beer.

Well the dates are confirmed and my work obligations are over after 15 Nov, so I'll be trying to make a firm plan.

Thanks to all the offers for a beer. While in the Marines I learned never to volunteer and never turn down a beer, so I'll be tracking you down!