AUSTRALIA: ASIATIC WATER BUFFALO HUNT (ARCHERY)

While technically open year-round, prime Water Buffalo hunts in Australia occur from late May into early August.

-Additional Water Buffalo: Can be taken on a flat-rate trophy fee basis as desired.
-Scrub Bulls: Can either be taken as targets of opportunity, or targeted specifically for a flat-rate price.
-Wild Donkey, Buffalo Cow & Cull Animals (guide's discrection): see upgrades & extras for pricing
-South Pacific Wild Boar: Bonus targets of opportunity and offered free of charge on all hunts.
-Wild Dogs: Bonus targets of opportunity and offered free of charge on all hunts.
-Barramundi Fishing: Bonus and provided free of charge on all hunts.

This Water Buffalo hunt in Australia comes standard at 6 full days, which start early with a light breakfast to leave camp by dawn each day, driving a short distance before proceeding on foot. Asiatic Water Buffalo are hunted using spot and stalk tactics. Walk along dry creek beds checking billabongs for wallowing, or glass the vast floodplains and sneak through bedding areas with the wind in your face. A typical morning sees 50+ Buffalo, and it is not unusual to inspect over 100 animals each day. Most of the hunting areas are generally accessible by 4x4 vehicles for any hunters having difficulty walking great distances. Unless working a buffalo, enjoy a big brunch and midday siesta in camp with naps in the shade, a swim in a clear spring fed billabong, or some Barramundi fishing. Head back out in the early afternoon and continue playing cat and mouse with huge Water Buffalo until dusk. Once the Buffalo are down, turn your attention to Scrub Bulls, Feral Hogs, and Wild Dogs.

This Water Buffalo hunt in Australia occurs in an archery-only area, but the outfitter does carry a rifle in the field for safety reasons.

Nearly all hunters bring their own archery equipment. A 65 lbs or more, draw weight bow (traditional or compound) is recommended, along with 12 arrows tipped with 150 grain broadheads of fixed 2-blade solid construction. Arrow and broadhead combined is encouraged to weigh around 650 grains.

Crossbows are welcomed but require additional permitting (organized by the outfitter) at a cost of approx. $200. Alternatively, Crossbows can also be rented from the outfitter with sufficient notice provided.

Crossbow bolts and broadheads: $60 each or bring own (must be ravin bolts .003 straightness or 400 grain, broadheads must be 125 grain). 

This is a land of extremes, cycling between flood and fire on an annual rotation. The terrain is generally flat and sandy. During the prime Buffalo season, it’s very dry, and the ephemeral creek and river valley systems lined with Pandanus or Screw pine provide a great environment in which to hunt. Dry open flood plains mixed with dense forest and long grassy tidal meadows offer ideal archery stalking cover. Most abundant here are the Ironbark trees, and the rest are generally mixed varieties of eucalyptus. 

Expect to encounter Red and Grey Kangaroos, Wallaby, Cockatoo, Kookaburra, and the colorful Bee Eaters. Black Headed Pythons, Goannas, Sharks, and fresh and salt-water Crocodiles also call this remote wilderness home.

Conditions during a typical Asiatic Water Buffalo hunt in Australia are warm and dry. Daytime highs can get quite hot so midday naps in the shade are the typical program. The evenings and overnight cool down. Rain would be highly unlikely as it is the dry season, and little more than a light sweater is needed in camp during the cooler hours.

This region of Australia has virtually no permanent structures due to the annual occurrence of both floods and wildfires. And so, the Lodge is a mobile tent camp to stay on the Buffalo. It still provides all the necessary comforts while afield. Hunters sleep in raised 12x14 foot tents complete with cots and 4-inch foam mattresses. All sleeping bags, pillows, or bedding linens are provided. A gravity shower, portable outhouse, generator and solar powered lights, freezer, refrigerator, water pump, and charging station provide all the necessities. Meanwhile, hammocks, a central fire pit, tables, and lounge chairs complete this outback-style mobile hunting camp. Nestled in the heart of the outfitting area, spend the week under the stars in the outback!

The camp cooked meals during a typical Water Buffalo hunt in Australia are rustic and wholesome. Breakfasts are generally light with items such as cereal, toast, fruit, coffee, and tea. Once back at midday, a bacon & egg brunch can be prepared, as well as sandwiches, usually with corned beef or chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. 

For dinner, use some traditional outback open-fire cooking techniques. Never a set menu but with popular items such as steak or oven-roasted chicken, lamb or pork roasts or buffalo spaghetti! Grilled or battered Barramundi is also delicious, encouraging hunters to spend some time fishing.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive at the airport in Darwin, Australia, and then connect to an arranged charter flight onto MacArthur River, where they are greeted by the outfitter. The prime areas for this Australian Water Buffalo hunt are located approximately a two-hour drive northwest of MacArthur River.

Travel Suggestions: Darwin is easily reached by multiple airlines. Top options from North America tend to depart from either Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or Vancouver, with best connections in Australia occurring in Brisbane. The Charter flight from Darwin to MacArthur River is approximately 1.5 hours.

After the Australian Water Buffalo hunt, the capes are fully processed (fleshed, turned, salted and dried) by the outfitter. Skulls will be boiled & cleaned but not treated with peroxide. The outfitter then drops all his clients’ trophies off at a local taxidermist. The taxidermists can do the complete work, or prep, certify, crate, and deliver trophies to their expeditor in Brisbane to be shipped internationally. Turnaround time ranges from 4-9 months.

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