Advice for a maybe hunt in Australia

[Pheroze]

The good news is my daughter is going to law school. The bad news (for daddy) is that she is going to law school in Australia. its a long haul down under.

When I visit I am thinking I should use the trip to realize a dream of hunting in Australia or New Zealand. I am attracted to the idea of a Buffalo hunt. But, Red stag in New Zealand would also be really great.

If I assume I will only be in that part of the world once, and considering cost too, what hunt should I consider? Or, should I consider something else entirely? Is there a better hunt to experience the outdoors in one of these great countries? Outfitter recommendations would also be greatly appreciated.

If I can swing it, I will do it in 2019. Thanks for any advice with this plan.

 

[cpr0312]

Awesome! Yes definitely if you can swing it hunt either NZ or Aus! Water buff, pigs, fishing is a bucket list hunt for me. That said its hard to beat the beauty coupled with hunting in NZ. And for about the same price as a buff hunt, you could do a stag/tahr combo hunt in NZ.

 

[cpr0312]

Oh while your there I would also take a day or two at the great barrier reef!

 

[Pheroze]

One of the flights from Canada stops off in NZ. So, it got me thinking....

 

[cpr0312]

One of the flights from Canada stops off in NZ. So, it got me thinking....

You wont regret hunting and visiting NZ I can promise you that!

 

[sheephunterab]

Not really a wrong answer to your question but I guess it depends what you really want out of the hunt. If you want a true adventure in a last frontier then OZ buff wins hands down. It's a pretty amazing hunt and I'm still blown away how remote and unsettled much of Arnemland really is. Red stag on the other hand comes with considerably more comfort and that that great Kiwi hospitality. I've done them both and would hate to have to choose just one but if forced to, likely the buff.

 

[Pheroze]

Not really a wrong answer to your question but I guess it depends what you really want out of the hunt. If you want a true adventure in a last frontier then OZ buff wins hands down. It's a pretty amazing hunt and I'm still blown away how remote and unsettled much of Arnemland really is. Red stag on the other hand comes with considerably more comfort and that that great Kiwi hospitality. I've done them both and would hate to have to choose just one but if forced to, likely the buff.

I have seen your hunts in both places. Good reports/video btw! The one in New Zealand looked beautiful.

 

[Mort Hill]

My sister lives and works in Australia. I hunted in both Australia and NZ, and my advice would be hunt in NZ and visit/sight-see with daughter in Australia. You are right, a long haul for sure. The various ecosystems and variety of game in NZ are incredible. The beauty is everywhere. I would highly recommend considering Tahr and Chamois in the mountains, as well as/or stag in the roar. Hunting in NZ is a way of life and everyone we met was fabulous. I would love to go back for an extended stay as we were in NZ only a week and Australia for two weeks. A great problem to have to figure out either way. Best of luck!

 

[Bullthrower338]

What an awesome predicament to be in! I'm going to NT to hunt buff next year and have thought real hard about arranging about 5 days of NZ on the way back. I think both destinations have their own appeal. I've just got to figure out the logistics of it and coax my boss into the time off for the additional layover. I'm certain Jennifer @travelexpress can make it work.
But to your point, I think either would be spectacular.
Cheers,
Cody

 

[Dr Ray]

The good news is my daughter is going to law school. The bad news (for daddy) is that she is going to law school in Australia. its a long haul down under.

When I visit I am thinking I should use the trip to realize a dream of hunting in Australia or New Zealand. I am attracted to the idea of a Buffalo hunt. But, Red stag in New Zealand would also be really great.

If I assume I will only be in that part of the world once, and considering cost too, what hunt should I consider? Or, should I consider something else entirely? Is there a better hunt to experience the outdoors in one of these great countries? Outfitter recommendations would also be greatly appreciated.

If I can swing it, I will do it in 2019. Thanks for any advice with this plan.

Suggest you do the buffalo hunt and then travel to New Zealand.
I'm doing a buffalo hunt in late September.
The distance between the buffalo hunt and New Zealand is quite substantial. Australia is the same size as USA.
New Zealand deer are of world class quality. You may consider a tahr hunt in the South Island of New Zealand.
Australian buffalo are bigger than Cape buffalo and I suggest a decent caliber especially after a hunter was severely gored by a somewhat upset buff a few weeks ago

 

[Dr Ray]

Oh while your there I would also take a day or two at the great barrier reef!

I live next to a part of the Great Barrier Reef. It is something to see at least once in your lifetime.

 

[Pheroze]

The distance between the buffalo hunt and New Zealand is quite substantial. Australia is the same size as USA.

I was wondering about this, and the logistics. She will be in the Gold Coast. (I keep asking: you are going to study, right??) I was wondering if the trip to hunt buffalo would be too far to include in a visit. I can travel through NZ to get to her, so logistics could be a deciding factor.

 

[cpr0312]

I can travel through NZ to get to her, so logistics could be a deciding factor.

Whatever you decide, it will be a blast and you wont regret it!

 

[Ridgewalker]

It's not as far as RSA, but it is a long flight. Never hunted there, but have visited Eastern Australia, Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand. NZ is by far the prettiest place.
If you're only going once, IMO, make the most of it by hunting both places. If you're going back, pick one each trip. The same gun is not likely appropriate for each hunt IMO. You need a heavy caliber for water buff and a long range caliber for NZ.
JM$.02
Never the less...I am very jealous you have this great opportunity!

 

[Pheroze]

Anyone have any recommendations for outfitters in either country?

Whatever you decide, it will be a blast and you wont regret it!

The same gun is not likely appropriate for each hunt IMO. You need a heavy caliber for water buff and a long range caliber for NZ.

Another consideration could be firearm permits. I like to hunt with my own rifle, so just getting one rifle into one country may be a better option.

 

[cpr0312]

Anyone have any recommendations for outfitters in either country?

Absolutely, Jim Gibson with NZ Safaris on the south island! Awesome area, lots of game. No heli needed for tahr and chamois!

 

[Dr Ray]

I was wondering about this, and the logistics. She will be in the Gold Coast. (I keep asking: you are going to study, right??) I was wondering if the trip to hunt buffalo would be too far to include in a visit. I can travel through NZ to get to her, so logistics could be a deciding factor.

Go through New Zealand for a hunt or two first.
Then take a direct flight to the Gold Coast,
After that go from Brisbane direct to Darwin for a buff hunt.
Next trip go from Gold Coast to Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef. I live in Cairns.
Gold Coast is sub-tropical -Cairns is tropical.
Darwin is tropical and the buff hunts are best undertaken in the relatively cool months.
Gold Coast - Brisbane to Darwin is not that far as to give a trip of a lifetime a miss. About 4 hours on a jet aircraft.
Cairns is just over 2 hours. To put into perspective Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and this state is 2 and a half times the size of Texas.
Buffalo hunting is only a short driving distance from Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Don't let a chance of a lifetime slip by

 

[Dr Ray]

Anyone have any recommendations for outfitters in either country?




Another consideration could be firearm permits. I like to hunt with my own rifle, so just getting one rifle into one country may be a better option.

Not a big deal for Australia. No semi-automatics though.
I'll be using 338 w m for buffalo although anything above that is even better. Locals tend to use 308s but not this pup!

 

[Pheroze]

Not a big deal for Australia. No semi-automatics though.
I'll be using 338 w m for buffalo although anything above that is even better. Locals tend to use 308s but not this pup!

Do these buffalo have a different temperament than Cape Buffalo? A 308 is not exactly a stopper

 

[Dr Ray]

Do these buffalo have a different temperament than Cape Buffalo? A 308 is not exactly a stopper

No it's just that the locals head shoot like behind the ear.
I won't use anything else than 338
I would like to live a bit longer!
Oz buffs are bigger than Cape buffalo