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Hunting >> Hunting in Australia, NZ & the South Pacific

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
A marvellous buffalo hunt...
      #211506 - 25/06/12 06:36 AM

It was a mad rush to finish the semester and depart Katherine for a station quite a drive away. We arrived there late at night, talked to the manager, and then drove to a swamp to make camp. The next morning, we discovered that there is still lots of water around, and the pigs were not to be found anywhere. We shifted to another spot, and pulled-up for a bite of lunch and watched salties sunning themselves. Those nearest us were only small, but across the lagoon we could see some that were larger. I had seen only one salty outside of tours before, so this was a real treat. We saw many, many salties, and stayed well back from the water's edge as we strolled along searching for camped-up pigs to no avail. We found some fresh buffalo dung and many scrape marks in the dirt where a lone bull was venting his anger with the world. Suddenly my friend stopped, having seen an egret fly off from a low-laying boulder. I though it was just a weird termite mound, but an ear twitched, and it was the cranky bull, snoozing on his side in some grass and scrub. We stalked-in to about fifty metres, and my friend put a 400 grain Hydro into him that really woke him up, shooting my Ruger No.1 in .450/400 3" NE. The bull trotted-off into the thick stuff, and we ducked-around to intercept. He slowed after going about twenty metres, and my friend put another Hydro through him. The bull slowly walked quartering toward us, and I had him covered with the Merkel double rifle in .500NE as my mate reloaded to put another two into him, upon which the bull collapsed, perished. The bull's boss was all scabby and riddled with thick, oozing pus. We capped the head, and departed for another swamp. Sorry, I don't have permission to post my mate's photos. By late afternoon, we pulled-up near the intended swamp and began hiking. We again found that we were on fresh tracks, and after a couple of kilometres I spied a movement through some scrub ahead, and the stalk was on for another lone bull buffalo. Keeping a shrub between us, I closed the distance. He had his back to me as I stepped-out, and I made use of very quiet stalking conditions to rapidly close to about forty metres, knowing he'd soon sense something and give me a chance. And that is what happened. He whirled around, giving me a broadside shot. My right barrel hit him through the lungs, and as he took-off, my left barrel hit him further back and destroyed the renal artery or kidneys. He galloped seventy metres into the scrub and crashed. I had used Woodleigh 570 grain solids. Both exited. It was a marvellous stalk, and my first bull buffalo with the double. My mate later shot a boar with the .450/400 3" NE, and a wild dog and a smaller boar with his 6.5x55mm. We even found a freshly-killed pig that a mob of dogs had taken down. Sometimes you have a win, eh. We'd not seen any buffalo at this place last year. Another real treat was to experience the unpleasantness of carrying a rifle with cold barrels early in the morning... Brrrrrr! This was one of our very few, and greatly-appreciated cold weather hunts.

























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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211507 - 25/06/12 07:30 AM


Good stuff Ben. Great photos. Looks really nice country.

Nice looking Croc and Buff.

Did you leave a feed for the Crocs like a pig or buffalo leg ?

Re the Scabby head on the Buff, was that from a bullet that had hit it or from being horned when fighting other bulls ?


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Viking338
.333 member


Reged: 11/08/11
Posts: 480
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211508 - 25/06/12 07:40 AM

I am jealous great photo's, thaks so much for sharing.

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: 500Nitro]
      #211509 - 25/06/12 07:41 AM

G'day Nigel,

Next time, if we have time, we'll pop some meat down by the water and then sit back in the scrub and see if anything comes to eat it, and take photos.

The scabby head was from fighting, I think.

Cheers,

Ben


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Matabele
.300 member


Reged: 16/09/10
Posts: 230
Loc: Zimbabwe
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211511 - 25/06/12 07:56 AM

Always good fun reading your stories Ben, glad the 450/400 is working a treat too...I've spied a No1 in that calibre with a local dealer and have put in an offer...and am waiting with bated breath!

Cheers!


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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Matabele]
      #211512 - 25/06/12 08:06 AM


Ben

Reason I ask is I shot a bull and it had a pussy horn from a bullet hole, probably aboriginal.

Can't wait to see the photo of it.

As you probably know, if you put meat near the water,
splash the water with a branch for a few minutes to make
sure the crocs know it's feeding time !!! LOL

They always seem to come to investigate.


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: 500Nitro]
      #211514 - 25/06/12 08:36 AM

Great photos and story..

thanks a ton for sharing..I really want to head over that way one day and have a try at them..

Looks like a great hunt..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ripp]
      #211527 - 25/06/12 03:22 PM

Great hunt and thanks for sharing it with us.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"


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Rule303
.416 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4934
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: FATBOY404]
      #211543 - 25/06/12 05:44 PM

Ben looks like a great hunt and good pic's too. I realy liked the ones of the Croc.

However I do feel for you having to hold onto cold barrels in the cold- Whay was the temp, 23C


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Mike_Bailey
.400 member


Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Rule303]
      #211544 - 25/06/12 06:05 PM

Thanks Ben, brings back memories, would love to go again one day, best, Mike

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Mike_Bailey]
      #211549 - 25/06/12 06:29 PM

Cheers, fellows. Greg, the overnight temperature felt like 8C, and when we set-off early in the morning it was probably about 10C or 12C. The days warmed to about 30C, maybe.

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Rule303
.416 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4934
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211564 - 25/06/12 09:35 PM

Ben I was just taking the piss mate. I know that it can get bloody cold up there of a night at this time of year.

I was in Cairns when it got down to 4C over night for 4 nights running. Up on the tabel lands it got down to minus 6 in places. Waaaaaay to cold.


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Rigby350
.300 member


Reged: 11/11/08
Posts: 177
Loc: NSW,Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Rule303]
      #211567 - 25/06/12 09:54 PM

Ben very nice buffalo, great country, I really enjoy the top end.

Look forward to making a trip up north next year.


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capra
.224 member


Reged: 13/07/10
Posts: 11
Loc: NSW
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Rigby350]
      #211598 - 26/06/12 10:42 AM

Ben that is awesome stuff, great photos mate.

Tony


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39295
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: capra]
      #211707 - 29/06/12 02:02 AM

Well done Ben. Thanks for posting.

One day you need to try that .500 out on elephant.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: NitroX]
      #211716 - 29/06/12 08:08 AM

Thanks, fellows! Absolutely, John! Someday...

Hey, lads: Got a call last night from Mike (from Alaska) - he was in Darwin... We didn't get to cross paths, but him and his mates had a good hunt down here! I can't wait to read all about it! Anyway, I'm finishing packing, then driving to Darwin to fly-out to Perth to meet my Dad and brother, then on to Jo'burg for my first trip overseas - hunting plains game.


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aromakr
.375 member


Reged: 20/04/11
Posts: 849
Loc: Hamilton, Montana
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211718 - 29/06/12 10:11 AM

Ben:
Have a good trip, but keep both of your hands in your pants pockets while in Jo berg, or they will steal your pants for sure!!!
Bob


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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member


Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Ben]
      #211720 - 29/06/12 12:18 PM

Quote:

Thanks, fellows! Absolutely, John! Someday...

Hey, lads: Got a call last night from Mike (from Alaska) - he was in Darwin... We didn't get to cross paths, but him and his mates had a good hunt down here! I can't wait to read all about it! Anyway, I'm finishing packing, then driving to Darwin to fly-out to Perth to meet my Dad and brother, then on to Jo'burg for my first trip overseas - hunting plains game.




Good luck Ben on your African trip, once you have savoured the joys of Africa you will always want to return, I didn't believe it but it's true. You had good practice and wonderful photos.

Cheers Mate,

Jeff

.


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39295
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: CHAPUISARMES]
      #211738 - 29/06/12 06:37 PM

Good luck Ben.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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alexbeer
.333 member


Reged: 10/04/08
Posts: 389
Loc: Tasmania, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: NitroX]
      #211743 - 29/06/12 08:25 PM

I reckon you will have a ball Ben. Have fun and enjoy the place, the hunting and the company.
All the very best
ALEX

--------------------

Details matter!


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MickGibbo
.224 member


Reged: 13/11/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Sutherland, NSW, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: alexbeer]
      #212063 - 04/07/12 10:36 PM

Ben nice pictures and hunt result. The first shot looks with the buff down looks like the spot I met you in the bush that day, but rest look a lot more scenic area. Congrats again top looking hunt. We just booked our flights for this years hunt.

Edited by MickGibbo (04/07/12 10:39 PM)


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26608
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: MickGibbo]
      #212069 - 05/07/12 01:05 AM

Good story, Ben - thanks for sharing it and the pictures with us.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Drew_Jaeger
.275 member


Reged: 27/09/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Southern Tablelands, NSW, Aust...
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: DarylS]
      #212737 - 15/07/12 03:12 PM

Congratulations on a successful hunt, Ben. Damn fine result with Merkel. I assume the 400gr Hydros whistled through him.

I too am planning a little O/S jaunt, or two.

--------------------
Cheers

Drew


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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: A marvellous buffalo hunt... [Re: Drew_Jaeger]
      #212741 - 15/07/12 03:31 PM

Hey, Drew! Yes, the 400 grain Hydros from the Ruger single-shot did indeed whistle straight through, as did the 570 grain solids from the Merky.

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