June '12 Australia buffalo hunt

[Kilimanjaro]

Operator: Leithen Valley Trophy Hunts Australia

PH: George and Alan Stewart

Location: Conway Station Northern Territory Australia

Rifle/Ammo: Charles Osborne double in 450/400 3.25”Nitro Express shooting Superior Ammo loaded 400gr Woodleigh softs

 

This Aussie hunt had been in the works for a couple of years now. Several of us on Accurate Reloading (a diff forum I fequent) decided to get together and have a group hunt somewhere. Australia was the chosen place. Somewhere new and new big game to hunt. On board for the hunt were myself, Steve (Nganga), Cal Pappas, Rob (Omnivorous Bob), and Mike Brooks. Also in tow was Cal’s cameraman Greg and his son, Casey.

Dates were set with George at the Jan 2011 Reno SCI show and the waiting game started. Fast forward to the 2012 show, and we were all finalizing the last bits before the hunt dates arrived. For the most part all was smooth and easy. The paperwork to get the firearms into and out of Aussie was straightforward and easy to understand, but they really do pile it on. I have never seen such a bureaucratic nightmare for taking sporting arms into a country. Like I said, it is all fairly easy, but a lot of it has to be sent in months ahead of time along with signed affidavits stating your criminal history (of hopefully lack thereof) with the police dept here, passport pics, etc.. Also, Qantas Air must have immediate knowledge of any firearms or ammo coming onto their planes at the time of the flight booking. If that is not done, it can and will create issues when you arrive in LAX to board the flight. Also, make sure your visa has your name shown EXACTLY as your passport does. Do not rely on your booking agent to do this. All minor stuff, but any one slip can end up costing you your flight or having your firearm not make it onboard. Luckily, all was smooth sailing for me. Cal had a minor problem, but it worked itself out. Also, the EXPORT permits to leave with your rifles are just as important to have properly filled out and completed as well. Aus Customs will ask for them in Darwin when you arrive at the airport to start your journey home. Rob had the foresight to complete his ahead of time and he was good to go. The rest of us had to fill them out there. The Aussie Customs agents were very kind and helpful though and breezed us through. But having them done ahead is just one less hassle to deal with.

After flying into Sydney and on into Darwin, we all went out for a bite (Noodlehouse in Darwin is FANTASTIC!) we over-nighted at the Travel Lodge in Darwin.

George was there early the next day ready for the 7hr drive out to the lodge. We arrived shortly after dark after a few stops along the way for groceries, curios, etc.

 

As for Conways Station, it is 400,000 acres of privately owned property owned by George and his parents, Alan and Sue Stewart of New Zealand. They purchased the property 6 years ago and have since built a beautiful lodge on the place. Conways is surrounded on all sides by the Aboriginal lands of Arnhemland. George left NZ and now resides full time on the property.

A few pics of the area.

 

Steve and I were hunting 2X1 together with George. Cal and Rob were hunting together (with Greg filming) and Mike hunted with Alan.

To say we saw buffalo would be an understatement!! I’d venture we saw over 200 per day, every day. There are literally thousands of buffalo in that area of northern Aus. It was pretty unbelievable when we’d go more than 10 min without seeing anything. Along with the buffalo, we saw many many scrub bulls, wallabies, wallaroos, kangaroos, etc. Pigs were scarce this season and while we saw a handful, no shots were taken at any oikers.

 

I won’t go into day by day detail, but I will say hunting with a close buddies Steve and George was as much fun as one man could ever hope to have. I had a blast with my friends out in the Aussie bush. George and I have know one another for many years now. I worked for his father in New Zealand for 8 months in 2001. The Stewarts had become like a 2nd family to me. After I had my hunting accident in NZ when George and I were on a 5 day solo backpack trip for tahr/chamois (I fell and broke my pelvis, dislocated my hip and a few other not so fun things), he became like another brother. So hunting with him again made it all the more special.

Being the lucky guy Steve is, he drew first blood and as such ended up with a HUGE buffalo. His bull had everything a guy could ever want in a bull. Width, mass, age, etc. I’ll let Steve fill you in on his hunt details and share any pics should he decide to. He also managed a grand scrub bull late the same day. He knows his 500NE and can shoot it extremely well.

 

My chance came the next day. We spotted this bull after turning a few down already. One look and George said we shouldn’t pass this one up. Conditions were perfect too. The bull had not seen or heard us. The wind was blowing steady and at a decent clip so the noise level was up from the grass and leaves. A long down wind approach and the bull fed right into our laps. At 15yds and comfortably on the sticks, I buried the bead into his shoulder and squeezed the front trigger on the Osborne. Perfect shot. Second barrel hits him square as well. He runs about 5yrds and does a 180 and stands, I reload, and put two more rounds into his opposite shoulder. He goes down. A perfect hunt in my book!

I cannot be any happier with my bull. He has everything I had hoped for and the hunt itself was picture perfect. With buddies, double in hand, hunting big bulls. I felt blessed.

 

 

 

With our trophy bulls in the salt, Steve and I managed a couple of days of management buffalo shooting with Steve taking a good management bull and I took an old cow. We also did our part in thinning the feral donkey herd by a few old jacks. Hunting these guys with open sight double rifles was good fun and sport. I learned that a 500NE will shoot very accurately and further than you think if you have proper trigger control and can manage the recoil!

We also checked out numerous Aboriginal sites on the property. Everywhere there was a bluff on a hillside, there were paintings on the sides of the cliffs. It was really special seeing these ancient sites. Certainly makes you give pause and think about those who have tread long before you.

The bird life in this part of Australia was unreal. It has to be seen to be believed. Several varieties of Cockatoos, more than a few different parrots and parakeets, and colorful song birds. The symphony each morning at day break was great. Those birds can belt out a tune! Mike took some great bird pics around camp.

Our last day we spent trying our luck for barramundi in the river. A couple of hook ups and loses was all we got from the barra. We did manage to catch a lot of big bream though, which we had for dinner that night. Good eats!

We also had a bit of a shoot too where we were able to shoots Rob’s BEAUTIFUL Bland single shot 4 bore made in 1887. What an example of fine English workmanship. That had to be the most beautiful rifle I have had the chance to shoot. A dandy. Cal’s Wilkes in 600NE with full loads was a beast!!

All in all, I had a fantastic time. It went by much too fast. I am already looking forward to a return trip!

[AZP&Y]

Great hunt and love the abo art. You guys have lots of smiles and that is special to share memories of a lifetime with close friends.

 

I like what you did with the skull and painting.

 

It's been 13 years since ive been to Oz, I always say I'm going to return . This was a great reminder.

 

Thanks for sharing ...

 

Doug

 

 

[firstcoueswas80]

Verry cool bud!

 

I'm not so sure about the hat, but that looks like a blast for sure!

 

What do they do with the meet down there? Is it like it was in Africa? Do they sell it etc? Are you bringing home one of those burro heads?! That would be a sweet trophy,

[firstcoueswas80]

PS, the last picture has a few very awesome trophies.

[pwrguy]

That is a great write up and pictures. This was especially nostalgic for me, I grew up 20 miles south of Darwin and my family had a cattle station there. I still have many family members in NT and one of my Uncles still has a station there. I hope to get back in the next few years and get some pictures of my own. Thanks for posting

[Codywhi]

Great bull scotty.... and awesome story and pics.......

[ADDICT]

Well done Scott! Great write up and photos. What an adventure. I'll put that on the lifetime "to do" list.

 

Congrats to all the hunters. M

[CouesWhitetail]

Wow! Very cool Scotty! Love the decorated buffalo skull. Thanks for sharing such great pics and hunt story!

[lucky2hunt]

Spectacular bull, great story and pictures! This hunt is on my 'Bucket List' I would definitely love to get over there to hunt. What do you think... Would you ever try a shot at one of these bulls with archery equipment? Congrats on another amazing trip!

[Snapshot]

Awesome. Those buffalo have some unique horns, How do the water buffalo compare to Cape Buffalo as far as "toughness"? Did you see any Banteng, or is that the scrub bull?

[Snapshot]

PS, the last picture has a few very awesome trophies.

 

Keep your eyes off the hotties.....your'e a married man!

[tjhunt2]

Congratulations Scotty and thanks for sharing. Great writeup and pictures to go with. Thanks for sharing.

[cvw789]

Congrats on a great bull and looks like a awesome trip.

 

Cole

[Kilimanjaro]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

 

Ilene, archery epuipment could be used with no problem. There were bow hunters in before us and all had scored on great bulls. I can send you their info if you'd like if this hunt is something you may be interested in.

 

Snapshot, we shot a few scrub bulls. These wild cattle were actually wilder, and more tuned in, than the buffalo. They were a good hunt. I did not end up taking one but several of the other guys in the group did.

 

As for toughness, these water buff could take a Nitro Express beating as well, or better, than any Cape buffalo I have shot or seen shot. They are bigger in the body and can soak up the lead. It really is unbelievable how much punishment a buffalo can take!

 

The Banteng is a wild bovine that is only available to hunt on the Coburg penn east of Darwin. Their population never spead south into Arnhemland like the buffalo. Thus, the Coburg is the ONLY place on earth to hunt Banteng in a true wild, free range situation. Thus it is costly.

I am saving my $$ for that one and will return for this hunt. I is supposed to be a difficult hunt in some really thick coastal jungle. I plan on this one when I can make it back to Aus.

 

Thanks again!

[firstcoueswas80]

PS, the last picture has a few very awesome trophies.

 

Keep your eyes off the hotties.....your'e a married man!

 

Not uh!