OUTFITTER: Matt Graham / Hunt Australia

LOCATION: Australia's Northern Territories - Gan Gan Concession

DATES: June 8 - 14, 2013

GUIDE: Matt Graham

SPECIES: Water Buffalo (they like water)

HUNTER: Aaron Neilson

WEAPON/GEAR: Ruger M77 Hawkeye / .416 Ruger with Hornady 400 gr. DGX ammo. Trijicon 2.5 - 10 x56mm scope and Leica 10x42 Geovid binos

CAMERAMAN: Jeremiah Bennett


This was a hunt I had wanted to do for quite some time! Matt has been a friend for several years now, we normally hang out together at DSC / after the show, etc. Knowing how much I like hunting Africa, and buffalo in particular, this hunt was an easy choice - but like all other hunts, finding the time is always the issue. Matt assured me that 5-7 days would be plenty of time for 2 trophy bulls, so a week was planned and away we went.

Arriving in northern Australia in June - I was surprised at the heat and humidity. Nothing that was un-bearable, but just a little surprising that it was that hot! Regardless, we were in hunting camp (after a 2.5 hr drive from the airport) so all was good. Matt's camp is basic, but accommodating - with flush toilets, 2 shower facilities, dining tent and sleeping tents. Matt's not a bad cook either!!!!


993068_616420295035832_994170472_n by globalhunts, on Flickr

According to Matt, the concession is roughly 500,000 acres - and I'm here to tell you, its full of buffalo! As I recall the most recent estimation was close to 10,000. Its also a very beautiful place with loads of interesting scenery, wildlife, ocean, flood plains, forest, and fishing holes.


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Although un-necessary, I told Matt that I really wanted to hunt the buffalo in the flood plains. Sure, the forest is easier hunting by a lot (with just as many buffalo) but the flood plains are more captivating, and lots better for film. Matt reluctantly agreed, even though he knew full well the footage would be best in the open.

From the get-go, it was obvious that getting our buffalo was not gonna be the issue - but being patient enough for the right one, now that was another story. Truth is, I just love to hunt - and this hunting was what I love most! See em, stalk em, kill em - my favorite!!! So Matt had to rein me in a bit until late in the afternoon on day 1.

We rounded a corner on the edge of the flood plain, just where it meets the forest. Just as we did, we saw the buffalo, and they saw us too. They were still 400 - 500 yards off, but they know the forest is safety - so getting to it was the idea. Fortunately for us, getting to the forest meant coming our way, and that they did. Of course the lone bull was lagging way behind, which allowed us plenty of time to sneak into the best position and get set up on the Bog-Pod.

Just as the bull entered the first little group of trees - Matt cow called at him, he stopped (roughly 80 yards) and I let him have it. Another victim of the .416 Ruger/400 gr DGX, he went about 30 yards, was sinking to his knees as I hit him one more time and that was it!!

One second before I shot him through the center of the chest.

936405_616415818369613_157292160_n by globalhunts, on Flickr

Excellent first day bull!!!

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Day 2 was of course more of the same. Walking, glassing, looking at and stalking bulls. Most of which were nice, but Matt was wanting something better. Frankly, I didn't care - but this was his gig so I just followed along!

Matt and I as we snuck up to this bull to have a closer look - we passed him!

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We didn't shoot a bull on day 2, but we certainly saw a few. We did manage to get a wild pig though!


photo (2) by globalhunts, on Flickr

Day 3, and we were headed to another part of the flood plain where hunting client Dave Unger and his guide told us of a big bull that had watched the day before out in the water. Dave was courteous enough to turn us onto him, so we went to take a look. They also had a picture of him, one that showed his torn left ear - so determining if it was the same bull was not too difficult.

Photo taken by Dave Unger (Thanks my friend)

P1000204 (2) by globalhunts, on Flickr

So we went back there the next day, and there he was! Now truth be told, Matt was not too keen on this bull which was 500 yards out in the middle of the flood plain. But once the "client" volunteered to carry out the bull himself, Matt was "Game" baby. So the plan was made. We simply needed to wait for him to lay down, hopefully obscuring some of his vision, and make our way to him.


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He seemed pretty content, lying in his cool/wet bed. But as we got fairly close, his attention was drawn to us as we crashed through the mud/water.


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I now simply needed to wait for him to get to his feet, then he was fixing to have a bad day!!!!


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As illustrated in the photos above, the bull went nowhere after the 1st shot. I did shoot him 1 more time, but like most of the others - it was unnecessary.

Another great trophy bull with HUNT AUSTRALIA!

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Now I had to stick to my end of the bargain! Below is the result of a guide with a bum knee. The client "earns" his trophy, every step of the way!


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Tell me, isn't the client suppose to be cleaner than his guide?????

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Well, with two trophy bulls down in only 3 days - we were searching for something to do. Matt carries a Verney-Carron .450NE double rifle. So, we thought it might be fun to look for a good management bull and let me give his double a try.

We found one all by himself, lying in a mud hole, facing the opposite direction, and we had the added advantage of a 20MPH wind too. Sneaking up to this old bull was pretty easy, as he simply never knew we were coming. Getting close with the double was definitely the plan, and with the topography, the wind and his cooperation, it worked perfectly! Pics below, are the results!

Approaching the sleeping bull!

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Just as he realizes I am there, and starts to slowly get up.

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The first shot!!

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The second shot, and he was done!

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Gan-Gan management bull! I should have let him get out of his mud hole!!!!

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The bull on the right is why one should be PATIENT!!! He walked up to within 120 yards of us, as we were skinning out the management bull!!!!

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Matt has a great place here in AUS. He's a first class host, works hard for his clients and the area truly is loaded with buffalo! I highly recommend the place, and I will be sending clients to Matt in the future as well. If a big Australian water buffalo is on your list, Matt has the place!!!!


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E-Harmony romance profile....

Arron from Colorado,

Athletic

6'3"

Hobbies;

Knives, clubs and knot tying.

Loves quiet secluded places where nobody can hear you scream. Loves children, mostly medium rare.

Profile picture

Date night!!

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
E-Harmony romance profile....

Arron from Colorado,

Athletic

6'3"

Hobbies;

Knives, clubs and knot tying.

Loves quiet secluded places where nobody can hear you scream. Loves children, mostly medium rare.

Profile picture

Date night!!

Man, thanks for the generosity in the height department!!!

Great report Aaron. I can't wait to get down there next June and hunt with Matt. Did you do any fishing?

Awesome report.

That is a superb bull.

Well done.

Thanks for posting a great report mate - superb photos by Jeremiah too!!

It was really a pleasure to have you guys out at Gan Gan... Good times!!

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Herald:
Great report Aaron. I can't wait to get down there next June and hunt with Matt. Did you do any fishing?

Funny - Aaron & fishing dont seem to mix too well. Cameraman (Jerry) likes to fish though... perhaps Aaron will post an image of his saratoga?

Oh - now that I look at that bull in the second last image... it is NOT the bull we killed near there the following week. I guess he is still out there somewhere!!

Matt

What did the Flood plain bull measure ?

quote:

Originally posted by 505G:
Matt

What did the Flood plain bull measure ?

I dont know - dont think I measured it. 103-4 perhaps? In seven days we hardly talked about trophy inches (that was not thee point) ... I just kept telling Aaron what he couldnt shoot!!

Seriously though - that is the best way to approach a hunt out there - look for old bulls and the inches tend to flow.

Agree, inches on heads has never worried me that much. I turned down a 104 once because it wasn't a hunt.

That Bull reminds me of a bull we nicknamed Bin Laden as he was so elusive. He lived in Brett's old stomping ground. Couldn't shoot him as we needed him out of the water as too many big crocs there. Always regret that one.

Anyway, good stuff, again !!!

Great report and great trophies Aaron!

Thanks for the report Aaron. It looks like you Matt had a blast. Great pics as well. How close were you when took the management bull? You packing out that head reminds me of my first moose ha.

Proper! Thanks for the report Aaron

I thought you are going after Banteng as well?!

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
Proper! Thanks for the report Aaron

I thought you are going after Banteng as well?!

The buff+banteng didnt work out at that time - so we did the multiple buffalo thing instead!! The banteng will still be here for later.

Great report and awesome pictures Aaron, congrats. Pleasure sharing camp with you and Jerry.

What a bloddy mess you were after the flood plain bull! Hope you can post a pic of Jerry's Saratoga.

Matt has a great operation all-round. Camp, hunting area, animals, logistics and even the fishing were all tops.

Outstanding. I gotta do that!!!!!!


.

JTEX

Do it, you will not regret it.

I haven't been to Matt's area but it is very similar to an area I have been to and the combo
of flood plain, hilly areas plus the sea makes
for a great hunt as you have so many options.

And as you can see by the reports posted here, Matt has a great set up.

Great report Aaron ,ibelieve MATT GRAHAM is one of the most experienced PHs on the world regarding water buffalo .
When visit Australia i have not doubts ill hunt with him .

Good report Aaron,
It does seem that Matt runs a good show.

Missed this report.
Love the "walk up and smack him" scene with the non trophy and double. Up close.. Now that's how I like it.

No complaints about coffee in this thread!!

Adam - you would have a ball up there. We just have to get you off this Africa addiction!!

Great report and photo's. Thanks for sharing.

very nice camp ,the enviroment is similar to Corrientes swamps where we have water buffalo .

Good stuff.....thanks.

Enjoyed the report & photos. One day maybe with archery kit in hand!!!
JCHB

Great report and photo's.
Lots of memories brought back ....it's been some years since I hunted the Territory....but I will be back.
Congratulations on your bulls.

Thanks folks!!

Aaron,

Looks like loads of fun. Superb photos!

Mark

Awesome report! Thanks for sharing!

Excellent stalking guys. Despite the open terrain they didn't see you coming and looked half asleep.

quote:

Originally posted by silkyoaks:
Excellent stalking guys. Despite the open terrain they didn't see you coming and looked half asleep.

Fully asleep and strong wind blows during the middle of the day.

Job well done by both parties....CONGRATS! Good shooting makes everyone happy!

Missed this report somehow! Congrats!!

Matt and/ or Aaron,

Re: weather... Is there any time of year up there when it isn't so bloody hot/humid? I ask b/c I cannot tolerate temps much over about mid-80's F due to lingering effects of Lyme disease ( "thermoregulatory" problems-- yea, it sucks). Just hunted in Aug. in Zim. & Moz. and that went fine...I'd love to shoot one of "your" buffalo. Been to Australia x3 but only in the south.

joester

June is about the middle of the dry season
- no or little rain, average 30+ degrees every day
and normally not too much humidity.

Darwin at this time of the year is 33 degrees nearly day in, day out, cooler at night.

Of course seasons vary from year to year
but the above is really par for the course
in the dry - May 1 - Sept 30.

Like you, I don't like hot weather but
put up with it. I do however find the dry up there quite pleasant and almost better than Melbourne / Sydney.

It can be quite cool at night in the mornings
during the dry season.

quote:

Originally posted by joester:
Matt and/ or Aaron,

Re: weather... Is there any time of year up there when it isn't so bloody hot/humid? I ask b/c I cannot tolerate temps much over about mid-80's F due to lingering effects of Lyme disease ( "thermoregulatory" problems-- yea, it sucks). Just hunted in Aug. in Zim. & Moz. and that went fine...I'd love to shoot one of "your" buffalo. Been to Australia x3 but only in the south.

July or August are the coolest months as a rule. You would be fine I am sure... We don't have to be out slogging around in the heat of the day.. it is very pleasant back at camp. I wish I could spend more time there in the hammock!!!

Cool. Well done Aaron. Some great trophies there. Looks like a brilliant hunt.

Great report and pictures! But - did you really have to roll around in the mud and blood just to pose for a picture?

quote:

Originally posted by Wildlife Gallery:
Great report and pictures! But - did you really have to roll around in the mud and blood just to pose for a picture?

I makes me look tougher!!!!

Aaron:
Did you bring that/those heads back home?
I'll be in Denver the 16th, at Anchutz.
Looks like I'll have to kill the day before they'll let me drive back down here, or anywhere it seems.
Are you anywhere near 225& Colfax?
Be nice to meet you and IF within reason to see some of your trophies.

Thanks much,
George