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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q 1.   AUSTRALIA - Information.

Q 2.   NORTHERN TERRITORY - Information, Weather, Hunt season.

Q 3.   ARNHEM LAND - Information, Do I need FLIGHTS ?

Q 4.   History of the Asiatic WATER BUFFALO in Australia.

Q 5.   What are BUFFALO habits and foods ?

Q 6.   How big are Water Buffalo ? What RIFLE or BOW ?

Q 7.   How do I find a reliable SAFARI OUTFITTER ?

Q 8.   When to BOOK ? Can I bring my own RIFLE to Australia ?

Q 9.   What species do AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS offer ?

Q 10.  Can we shoot KANGAROOS and DINGOES ?

Q 11.   TEMPERATURES in the Northern Territory.

Q 12.   NT Police Licensed Outfitter.

Q 14.   How are my Trophies Exported ?

 

 

Q 1.   AUSTRALIA - General Information and Climate

Australia is very big, almost as big as USA, and just as big as Western Europe.  It consists of almost every kind of terrain, the famous sandy beaches, great barrier reef, mountains, deserts, snowfields, dense forests, rich soils for dairy, wine and farming country on the more southern half and coastal areas.  Further inland are large farms for grain, sheep and cattle, then north or inland are outback sheep and cattle stations of enormous size, many with only the native grasses and brush for feed.  In the central regions we have very hot dry arid country and large deserts.  It is a big country, and "safe" driving from Perth to Darwin, or Melbourne to Darwin will take 3 long days with minimal stops.  Well priced airlines Qantas and Virgin are popular to fly between states and all cities.  Australia's main population is in the south, which has the opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere, with December, January, February, March being our mid summer, and June, July, August being the cold rainy winter.

However the Northern Territory has a Tropical climate, please read on....

 

Q 2.   NORTHERN TERRITORY - A Tropical Climate and Hunt Season ?

The top 1/6th​ of Australia has a TROPICAL climate.  Darwin is the only city in the northern tropics. The Northern Territory (NT) and Arnhem Land are always hot, and its tropical rainy season is opposite to the rest of Australia.  During Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March the Northern Territory will have tropical storms and (often daily) heavy rains, heat and high humidity, called the Wet Season.  We do not hunt in the Wet Season.  Vegetation and grasses have incredible growth, rivers and creeks are regularly flooded, rain, humidity, bugs, and the ground is too boggy for vehicles to get into or around the hunt areas.

Best Hunting Time - June, July, August, September is called the Dry Season, and perfect for hunting.   Outside of the city of Darwin, most of the land remains native bush and is cattle station country.  As the cattle stations are large (1,000,000 - 5,000,000 acres and bigger) helicopters are mostly used to muster the cattle towards temporary or permanent yards.

 

Q 3.   ARNHEM LAND - Information ? Do I need FLIGHTS ?

Arnhem Land is then situated further East of Darwin, and is a massive wilderness area of almost 100,000sq km owned by Aboriginal Traditional Landowners.  No farms, no fences, no development, just genuine wilderness.  Some areas in Arnhem Land have very low numbers of Buffalo, and some areas have very good numbers of Buffalo.  Hunters need to book a 1 to 2 hour charter flight to reach the few hunting concessions.  ABH seek the best charter plane prices for our hunters, we do not book or mark up the price.  Often this flight cost is shared.  Safari Hunt areas in Arnhem Land are managed by the Northern Land Council, a Licensed safari operator will organize your NLC access permits, required for hunting and access.

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Q 4.   History of the Asiatic WATER BUFFALO in Australia ?

Buffalo were imported from Asia by sailing ships for meat in the early northern settlements in the 1820's.  The buffalo soon colonized through the tropical country and swamp lands, to spread across the top of the Northern Territory.  Since the 1880s animals were harvested on foot, from horseback and eventually four-wheel drives.  Many businesses processed meat for human consumption (local and export), pet meat, hides, animals for live export and game for hunters.  However by the 1970s, feral buffalo numbers were high enough to damage coastal wetlands and thought to potentially harbor disease that could effect the beef export market.  Beginning in 1980s at a cost of $95M the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Campaign "included" the eradicated of feral buffalo's from all the station country, national parks and wild areas.  Following the end of BTEC all the remaining buffalo were derived from buffalo populations where infection had never been present. ie the herds in central and eastern Arnhem Land.  These Buffalo are controlled on the coastal wetlands.  Inland the Buffalo are a valuable sustainable resource, for meat and hunting by local Aboriginal communities and licensed safari operations.  Mustering companies conduct live capture and inspection of wild Buffalo for the large meat export industry.  Some bulls are relocated to private game ranches.  Arnhem Land Buffalo herds roam freely and like most wild animals sustain their own numbers according to seasonal conditions.

 

Q 5.   What are Buffalo habits and foods ?

During most of the dry season (May-October) it is common for males and females to live separately.  Females and young are led by an older female. Males inhabit more open plains or slopes with dryer vegetation.  When the season breaks, the older males join the females and drive away younger males.  Although having young anytime, there is a peak of mating in about March, and pregnancy lasts about ten months.   In wet areas buffalo also graze on aquatic grasses, and in dry areas they eat a broad range of grasses and the leaves of shrubs and pandanus.   Bulls eat up to 30kg of dry matter each day.   Dingoes (in packs) and crocodiles occasionally prey on young buffalo, but once adulthood is reached individuals typically live 15-20years.

 

Q 6.   How big are Asiatic Water BUFFALO ? What RIFLE or BOW ?

Water Buffalo in Australia are similar in size to the African Cape Buffalo and bulls weigh from 1600 to 2200lb (700-1000kg).  We are hunting on foot for the biggest bulls.  Therefore we use larger calibers such as the 9.3x62, 375 H&H, 416 RM and 458 WM & Lott and premium quality Expanding/Soft point or Solid/FMJ bullets.  Bow-hunters require heavy bows +70- 80lb using tough 2 blade broad-heads and heavy 800-1000grain arrows.  A big buffalo bull's ribs can be up to 3/4" thick, and the ribs do not overlap.

 

Q 7.   How do I find a reliable SAFARI OUTFITTER ?

Around the world, a safari company with long term membership to professional hunters associations is good.  Long term representation with booking agents is good (as agents cannot afford complaints).  You need 100% legal and 100% success.  Ask yourself what you want ?  A proper legal hunt, or a cheap hunt ?  Do you want a Arnhem land wilderness hunt ?  Do you want a ranch or station hunt ?  Do you want trophies prepared and delivered.?  Always follow up past references and ask questions.  NT Police and NLC compliance officers, and Rangers are active in the field.  So Australian Buffalo Hunters must carry our correct licenses, access permits, and you must carry your visitors' licenses.

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Q 8.   When to Book ? Can I bring my RIFLE to Australia ? Temporary License ?

It is best to book your safari in Nov, Dec, Jan or Feb and have your paperwork completed in March or April.  The hunting is in June, July, August.   Yes you can bring your own Rifle and ammunition, or Yes you can use our Corporate Firearms and 20x ammunition for NO EXTRA charge.  In both cases you will need a Northern Territory Police International Visitors Temporary Firearm License (endorsed for the outfitter company, dates, hunt location, firearms).  We will assist with the application, and we will pay the fee, NO EXTRA charge.  NOTE- the Application should be completed as soon as possible to prevent delays, this will take 15minutes, plus getting copies of your passport, drivers license and a firearm/carry license... easy.  Also when leaving Australia with your firearms the License and Export papers must be completed and returned to the airport customs office (our system is similar to going into USA, EU or Africa).  It is best to arrive and depart Australia at the same main city, ie Sydney.

 

Q 9.   What species do AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS offer ?

Our safari company specializes in guiding on Water Buffalo, Wild Boar and Wild Ox (Scrub Bull), also Banteng in North West Arnhem Land.  Free range Rusa deer in Queensland.  Goat hunting in Western Australia.

 

Q 10.  Can we shoot a KANGAROO or DINGO ?

No, recreational hunting of kangaroos is restricted, although damage permits are issued to suitably licensed pet meat shooters to control kangaroo numbers which are too high in many southern farming regions.  For many years it has been illegal to shoot Dingo in the Northern Territory.

 

Q 11.   TEMPERATURES in the Northern Territory ?

The Northern Territory has a tropical climate of a DRY season and a WET season.  The Dry season is very pleasant hot summer weather (max 25-34'C 80-95'F) and is most suitable and recommended for hunting during the months of - June, July, August, September.  A very similar weather pattern to Zimbabwe or Caprivi.

We Do Not operate in the tropical Wet season which is very humid, very hot and heavy rains (max 30-40'C 85-104'F) during Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, April.

 

Q 12.   NT Police Outfitter

Any person conducting and selling a hunt in NT must 1/ Have a NT Police Corporate Safari License, 2/ All guides have a NT Police Employee license to our company, 3/ The NLC Concession/s are endorsed on our license and your temporary license.  Questions to the Northern Territory Police Fire Emergency Services on Tel +61 8 89223543 or email FirearmsRegistry@pfes.nt.gov.au

 

Q 13.   How are my Trophies Exported ?

Australian Buffalo Hunters are a certified AQIS Australian Quarantine Inspection Service treatment facility (also listed with EU Traces), and we clean, treat, and package our hunters trophies for export.  We next get them to an export freight company with decades of experience sending trophies, who will contact you.  They will obtain a State Veterinary Certificate and a Certificate of Origin.  Please bring your Taxidermy and Freight company details on your hunt.

 

ANY MORE QUESTIONS..? PLEASE ASK...

 

Graham Williams  Professional Hunter,  Company Ranchman Investments Pty Ltd, trading as Australian Buffalo Hunters (NT),  Outback Expeditions (WA)

 


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