Location
Australia (North & East parts of country)

Dates
February-August in Queensland for multiple deer species.
May-October in Northern Territory buffalo, banteng, rusa deer, scrub bull, pigs.

Species
Northern Territory: Water Buffalo, Banteng, Wild Hog
Queensland: Red Stag, Rusa Deer, Fallow Deer, Axis Deer

Our Australian outfitter recently acquired a new concession out of Darwin. The nearly 2 million acres of Aboriginal land has not been hunted in many years, and he’s one of only two outfitters exclusively licensed to operate here. He says it’s the best concession he’s ever seen.

A five hour drive from Darwin, the area is loaded with world-class banteng and water buffalo. On a recent hunt he got within bow-range of 39 trophy bull banteng in one day! The water buffalo can be hunted in the swamp or in the forested edges. The land is thick with wild pigs, too. And it’s made for bowhunting. Expect shot opportunities at very high-end trophy banteng bulls to come inside 20 yards.

The camp is located on the coast and comes with hot showers, flush toilets, separate tented safari rooms and even WiFi. There’s also a camp cook, and the fishing is exceptional for barramundi, giant trevally, tuna, trout, big mud crabs and more. There’s a boat for hire at camp, if fishing is of interest.

Sambar deer can also be hunted here, but they are not easy and rifle hunters would want to plan on 10 days if adding this to the buffalo and banteng hunt. Sambar are much like hunting for Roosevelt Elk.

See below for hunt details and breakdowns.

Overview
In Australia’s Northern Territory, hunting for water buffalo and banteng is by spot and stalk in very flat terrain. The land is easy to negotiate, with mosquitos in swamps and heat being your biggest challenges to overcome. In the eastern part of the country, where deer hunting takes place, hills are easy to moderate to negotiate. Estate hunts can be arranged, as can free-range hunts in more demanding terrain.

Hunting Australia
Hunting the paperbark forests and surrounding swamps in the Northern Territory is one of the most unique adventures in the world. Seeing multiple buffalo a day is the norm, with success on big bulls being 100% over the years.

On my last trip, I took a record class water buffalo bull with my bow, and two buddies each took big bulls with their rifles. This outfitter has taken top five in the world water buffalo and banteng and knows the land and the hunting, incredibly well. We saw multiple potential world record water buffalo on my hunt, but they didn’t leave the swamp and we could not access them on foot. One evening I had what we figured would have been a world record bull prance by inside 40 yards, but never slowed for a shot with my bow. Seeing buffalo with horns spanning 9-feet from tip to tip will leave you in awe!

Buffalo often end up being taken in short, grassy plains. Banteng are normally found in flatland forests with thick scrub. The better shape you’re in, the more ground you can cover, the greater the chance of getting a prized bull. Make sure your feet are in good condition, for even though the terrain is easy, you can log miles a day.


Deer hunts are based out of Queensland, Australia, with Brisbane serving as the hub. The hunting here is much like hunting the Coast Range of the Pacific Northwest, though not as deep of canyons. The habitat is brushy, and walking and glassing to locate game, then commencing a stalk, is the norm. There are some exceptional red stags here, and the trophy fees are very reasonable compared to red stag hunting in other parts of the word. Rusa deer and fallow deer are also available, and sometimes, axis deer can be found. Free range rusa deer in the 150” class are taken regularly.

Estate hunts for sambar, fallow deer, hog deer, axis deer and rusa deer are also available. Wild boar, goat and dingo can also be hunted in various places, often in combination with other big game hunts.

It’s common for hunters to combine hunts in Queensland for deer with hunts in the Northern Territory for water buffalo and banteng. Spending a few days hunting deer, first, then heading north for a week of buffalo and/or banteng hunting is a good way to see the country and experience what hunting in Australia is all about.

Package Hunts & Day Rates Include: 10% GST, One Trophy Fee (water buffalo or banteng), guiding, meals, snacks, drinks (beer & wine), accommodations during hunt, hunting transport (including to closest airport), field preparation of animals. Quoted rates do not include trophy dip, pack and delivery to shipping agent (starts at $350 per animal), commercial airfares, chopper hire if wishing to access very remote lands, gun hire ($100 + ammo), visitor gun permit ($150), meals outside of camps, or gratuities.

Notes:
•Accommodations can be upgraded to luxury.
•Fixed wing and helicopter options are available to access very remote camps. Allow for an extra night before and after the hunt, if choosing to hunt one of our extremely remote camps.
•All of our pick up and drop off areas are near popular tourist attractions, like Kakadu National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Steve Irwin Zoo, Gold Coast, and many more. Many folks plan vacations around hunts with us.
•All prices in U.S.$. A 30% deposit is required to book dates. The balance of the hunt costs to be paid 30 days prior to the hunt.
•Prices are subject to change.
•All wounded and lost animals to be paid in full.

PACKAGE HUNTS FOR 2023
•7 Day Water Buffalo Hunt: 1×1=$10,500 per person, 2×1=$9,800 per person, 3×1+=$9,500 per person. Includes day rate, one trophy buffalo and non-trophy pigs. Additions: $3,900 for trophy buffalo, $2,750 for scrub bull, $550 for trophy wild boar.

•5 Day Banteng Hunt: 1×1=$13,500 per person, 2×1=$12,900 per person. Includes day rates and one trophy banteng. Additions: $3,500 for cow banteng, $4,500 for sambar stag, $550 for trophy wild boar.

•10 Day Combination Hunt: 1×1=$23,500 per person, 2×1=$21,900 per person. Includes day rates and trophy fees for one water buffalo and one banteng.

We also offer the these hunts at $550 per person, per day, with trophy pricing, as follows:
•Red Stag (free range) = $2,500 (one size).
•Red Stag (estate hunt) = $3,500 (300”-330” SCI), $4,500 (331”-360” SCI), $6,000 (361”-400” SCI), POR over 400” SCI.
•Javan Rusa = $3,900 (up to 145” SCI), $4,900 (146”-160” SCI), POR over 160” SCI.
•Long Horn Ox = $3,900.
•Sambar Stag = $6,000.
•Hog Deer = $6,500.
•Fallow Deer = $3,000.
•Axis Deer = $3,500.
•Dingo = $800
•Fishing can be added in some camps at $750 per person, per day. We offer world-class freshwater and saltwater fishing with professional charters.

Tag & License Costs
Tags and license are covered. Hunters are responsible for expediting trophies (packing, dipping, shipping home). A visitor permit is now needed to discharge a firearm in Australia, which is secured at no cost, with your passport photo.  If wishing to hire a chopper for transportation to and from hunting grounds, that will be an added expense.
Shipping Your Trophies Home
The costs of preparing, shipping and importing your cape and horns/antlers are your responsibility. The outfitter will help initiate this process, then it’s up to you to finalize and coordinate final importation. Recently we’re hearing from clients in the U.S. that the costs are around $1,000 (depending on how much you have), which includes the expeditor’s costs and certification. The outfitter works closely with Raitt International Freight, in Queensland,       Australia, http://www.raitt.com.au/

Travel Planning
If hunting deer, fly directly into Brisbane, Australia (Toowoomba West Wellcamp Aiport), where you’ll be met by the outfitter. If just desiring to hunt water buffalo or banteng, you will fly directly into Darwin, where the outfitter will meet you. If your hunt starts in Queensland for deer, then continues to Darwin for water buffalo and banteng, you and the outfitter will travel, together. Flights home will depend where your last hunt took place, either out of Darwin or Brisbane. Flights from the U.S. usually go direct into Sydney, then on to Toowoomba or Darwin.