Australia & Northern Territory

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. AUSTRALIA - Information ? Weather & Climate ?
Q2. NORTHERN TERRITORY - Information ? Weather & Climate ?
Q3. ARNHEMLAND - Info ? Do I need FLIGHTS ?
Q4. History of the Asiatic WATER BUFFALO in Australia ?
Q5. What are BUFFALO habits and foods ?
Q6. How big are Asiatic Water BUFFALO ? What RIFLE or BOW ?
Q7. How do I find a reliable SAFARI COMPANY and OUTFITTER ?
Q8. When to BOOK ? Can I bring my own RIFLE to Australia ?
Q9. What species do AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS offer ?
Q10. Can we shoot KANGAROOS ?
Q11. TEMPERATURES in the Northern Territory ?

Q1. AUSTRALIA - Information ?  Weather & Climate ?
A.  Australia is bigger in area than the USA, and bigger than Western Europe.  It consists of almost every kind of terrain, the famous sandy beaches, barrier reef, mountains, snowfields, dense forests, rich soils for dairy, wine and farming country.  Further inland are large grain farms, then north are outback sheep and cattle stations of enormous size with only the native bush and grasses for feed. In the central regions we have very hot dry arid country and large deserts.  Australia generally has the opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere; either side of Christmas time is Summer and lovely hot weather, then Mid year is Winter, cold and rainy in the southern most popualted parts of Australia (Melbourne, Sydney & Perth).  It is a big country, and driving from Perth to Darwin, or Melbourne to Darwin will take 3-4 days with minimal stops.  Well priced airlines Qantas and Virgin are popular to fly between states and all cities.

Q2. NORTHERN TERRITORY - Information ?  Weather & Climate ?
A.  NOTE:  The very top of Australia is TROPICAL, so the Northern Territory (NT) is always hot, with its rainy season opposite to the rest of Australia.   During Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March the Northern Territory will have tropical storms and heavy rains, called the Wet Season.  Vegetation and grasses have incredible growth, rivers and creeks are regularly flooded, and the ground is too boggy to get around.  The months of May, June, July, August, September are hot, dry and very pleasant, called the Dry Season.  Outside of the city of Darwin, most of the land remains native bush and is cattle stations many are 500,000 - 1,000,000 acres with large herds of cattle, bred for a hot climate.  As the cattle stations are so large helicopters are mostly used to muster the cattle.

Q3. ARNHEMLAND - Info ?  Do I need FLIGHTS ?
A.  Arnhemland is a massive wilderness area of almost 100,000sq km owned by Aboriginal Traditional Landowners, and is situated well east of Darwin.  No farms, no fences, no developement, just real wilderness.  Hunters need a 1 1/2 hr charter flight to reach the remote concessions.  We obtain the best cost price for hunters.  Most times this flight cost is shared.  Access to Arhnmeland is restricted and we obtain your NLC entry permits.

Q4. History of the Asiatic WATER BUFFALO in Australia ?
A.  Buffalo were imported from Asia by sailing ships for meat in the early northern settlements in the 1820's.  When these settlements were abandoned the buffalo soon colonised through tropical country and swamplands, then spread across the Northern Territory.  Over nine decades from 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, horns, animals for live export and game for hunters.  However by the 1970s, feral buffalo numbers were so high that they were damaging wetlands and potentially harbouring diseases that could effect the beef export market.  Beginning in 1979 the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Campaign over an intense 3 years erradicated feral buffalos from all the station country, national parks and wild areas.  The only remaining Herds were left in central and eastern Arnhem Land and have been utilised for meat and hunting by local Aboriginal communities and licensed safari operations.  Live capture and inspection allows some Buffalo to be relocated to private ranches or for export.  Arnhemland Buffalo herds roam freely and like most wild animals sustain their own numbers according to seasonal conditions.

Q5. What are Buffalo habits and foods ?
A.  During most of the dry season (May-October) it is common for males and females to live seperately.  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 graze on aquatic grasses, and in dry areas they eat a broad range of grasses and the leaves of shrubs and pandanus.  Bulls eat upto 30kg of dry matter each day.  Dingos and crocodiles occassionally prey on young buffalo, but once adulthood is reached individuals may live 15-20years.

Q6. How big are Asiatic Water BUFFALO ? What RIFLE or BOW ?
A.  Water Buffalo in Australia are similar in size to the African Cape Buffalo and bulls weigh from 1600 upto 2200lb (700-1000kg).  They require large calibers such as the 375H&H, 416RM and 458Lott and quality Soft point or FMJ bullets.  Bowhunters require heavy bows +80lb using tough heavy arrows.  A buffalo's ribs are upto 3/4" thick and do not overlap.

Q7. How do I find a reliable SAFARI COMPANY and OUTFITTER ?
A.  A safari company with long term membership to professional organisations is good.  Long term associations with booking agents is good (as they cannot afford complaints).  You want 100% honesty and 100% productivity.  Ask yourself what do you want;  Do you want to hunt wild game?  Do you want to hunt hard for many days on a wilderness hunt?  Is everything legal in the country?  You must follow up references.  Police outposts were established in 2007 in remote Arnhemland communities, and one of their duties is to inspect vehicles.  As a safari operator we carry copies of our Corporate safari operators firearms licence, NLC access permit for vehicles, staff and hunters, Land use authority and have your International Visitors Firearm permit at hand.  In our 14 years we are proud to have always operated honestly and correctly.

Q8. When to Book ? Can I bring my own RIFLE to Australia ?
A.  It's best to Book your Safari in Dec, Jan, Feb or March and have your paperwork completed by March or April.  Best hunting is in June, July, August and September.   Yes you can bring your own rifle and ammunition.  We assist with your Customs Import / Export permits and a Northern Territory Police Visitors firearm license.   NOTE - these must be completed as soon as possible to prevent delays.

Q9. What species do AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS offer ?
A.  Our safari company specialises in Arnhemland hunting for big game such as Water Buffalo, Wild Boar and Wild Ox (Scrub Bull).  For our International Buffalo hunters we can arrange many other hunts Australia wide.  Banteng in the Northern Territory.   Free range Rusa, Red, Chital, Fallow in Queensland, and Sambar deer in Victoria.  Wild Boar, Feral Goat, Scrub Bull, Fox and Rabbit in Western Australia.

Q10. Can we shoot KANGAROOS & Dingo's ?
A.  Recreational hunting of kangaroos is restricted, although where damage permits are issued suitably licensed shooters control kangaroo numbers which are too high in many southern farming regions. For many years now it has been illegal to shoot Dingo's in the Northern Territory.

Q11. TEMPERATURES in the Northern Territory ?
A.  The Northern Territory has a tropical climate with extreme DRY and WET Seasons.  The Dry season is very pleasant hot weather (max 25-35'C 80-95'F) and is most suitable for hunting during June, July, August and September.  We do not operate in the Wet season which is very humid, raining and hot (max 30-40'C 85-104'F) during Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, April. 

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AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS
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