Richard

When you have the NT Visitors Permit you 'should' be able to clear your rifle through any customs port in Australia. It is always a good idea, if you are not coming through Darwin, to call the local customs service and let them know what you are doing so they wont be surprised to see you. The outfitter usually does this for you anyway if they are that forward thinking.

Bear in mind though that the permit is only temporary (lasts for 2 months from memory) and if you let it expire or do something silly like not take your guns back home you might get into a bit of strife!

No I would never object to anyone flying themselves into a hunting area as long as it was OK with the property owner. I encourage it - its a good excuse for me to go for a fly and look at my buffalo from the air!

In fact I have one client flying his own party into our buffalo camp this August, in a Baron 58.

I think there are only one or two outfitters that have their own aircraft and pilot that I know of. Most use charter companies to ferry their clients around, which has it's pro's and con's of course.

Nitro - by 'licenced outfitter' I mean the company must have a NT Corporate Firearms Licence for their clients to be issued with the Visitors Permit. The only criteria for this is to be a legitimate outfitter, actually operating in the NT and to have documented access to hunting grounds. There are some other conditions attached - like all employees under the company licence must have an extra licence that goes with a fairly rigorous safety test.

cheers for now
Matt Graham