Top End 2005 - "Buff, Bulls, Barra & Bream" Part VII

Due to the number of photos these posts are best viewed threaded

Soon to be added. Some photos and initial comments added.

Orion worked out a good scheme for hunting this buffalo country. Instead of walking untold kilometres of dry rocky country in the heat, he asked that they go no farther than a couple kilometres from the vehicle. Also fishing the small rapid streams became a passion after an initial walk and as the day started to heat up.

Paul did a good job. He listened to his client, Orion.
One of the pleasant streams that provide life to this dry (in the "Dry" season) country.

While the boys dipped their feet into the cool water .....

.... Helen went off to saw firewood, saw in hand. No seriously she carried the saw for sawing buffalo skulls if shot.

A passion for fishing develops.

One of many.

Caught simply. A hand line. A large hook. And a piece of meat.

The trick was to find a small deep pool with running water cascading into it, over a rock or a log. The "black bream" or snooty grouper would be sitting under the lee of the cascading water in the shadows.

The smile says it all.

Cooked very simply. Wrapped in paperbark from the trees, some salt and pepper. Put onto hot coals.

Tending the fire.

Enjoying morning tea or lunch.

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Back to business.

Out searching for another big bull buffalo.

A trophy buffalo. Alone and within range of the 6.5x54 mm M-S.

Buffalo bull number 2 is added to the game bag. Orion and Paul the Guide.

Again Helen was on hand with the video camera. Camoflaged Helen was dubbed "Dianna" as she was often the first to spot the buffalos in the bush.

The buffalo bull was shot with a single bullet angled forward into the heart and lungs. On the shot it hardly gave the appearance of being hit, not even much of a flinch. The little 140 gr Barnes X not having much of a wallop, seemingly only a pin prick. Even though Orion was urged to shoot again, this time he held off and allowed the bull's lungs to fill with blood. The bull dying some minutes later. Even though a much larger calibre has a more immediate effect on the animal, perhaps dropping it convinchingly, they still ALL take some time to die. The key is an adequate penetrating bullet and correct placement. And some luck of course.

A small cartridge for a very large animal.

EDITORS NOTE - I WILL FIX THIS PHOTO!

Orion following the Germanic traditions of the hunt, places a twig or branch in the bulls mouth as a "last meal". A sign of respect for the animal. A sprig is also placed in the hunters headband, signifying to the world, the jager has been successful. Here a hidden Paul holds a major "sprig" (tree) in the Jager's headband.

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This buffalo is part of a test to see just how close they can be approached.

Here the bull is only scant metres away. The two hunters are in a river bed, the bank immediately in front. The bull is only metres away in another depression.

It approaches and comes closer.

Here was a time Orion felt "too" close. The 6.5x54 mm M-S will kill a buffalo but is NOT a rifle and cartridge for a charging bull or a bull which is aware of the location of the hunters and becomes aggressive when shot (comments the opinion of the writer - NitroX).

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ANOTHER PHOTO TO BE FIXED

A couple rest stops during the day.

Water is sourced directly from a fresh spring for drinking water in camp. Sourced close to the spring it is free of animal waste and caused no one any trouble in camp.