Australia or Africa?

[Hawken1911]

For those of you who have hunted both, and there seems to be quite a few of you,which is your favorite and why?  I'm sure both places are quite different and have their own pros and cons, but if you had to pick one, say for your final hunt, which one would you choose?

I have been to Australia and traveled the outback.  I absolutely love it there, but for the most part the people and the culture are quite "Western".  Having not been to Africa, I would think that it would be more exotic and adventurous to hunt there.  But there may be a number of detractors that I'm not aware of that would make Australia a better choice.

Anyway, my wife (a non-hunter)and I are planning a Summer '06 Africa hunt, and leaning towards hooking up with "Too Short".  But I thought I'd throw the Africa/Australia question out there to see what you guys think.

Thanks,

Hawken

[Rick McGowan]

I've been to both several times and with two short in both places! I like them both for different reasons, Africa for the variety of critters, Australia for everything else. Australia is very western in most ways, in fact the outback makes me thing of the old west. Mostly unfenced and huge areas of uninhabited lands. Very straight forward also, the place I go, you pay for the hunt and thats pretty much it. You can bring your capes, horns etc. home with you as checked baggage. Africa, there aren't to many places that aren't going to be high fenced, there are going to be a number of add on fees and it is going to take quite a while and a quite a few dollars to get your trophies home. I think the only major draw of Africa is the variety of species.

[Hawken1911]

Thanks Rick.  BTW- I'm pretty familiar with the plains game and big five in Africa, but what are the choices in Australia.  I've heard of buffalo, feral camels and donkeys, and that's about it.  What other game is available to hunt there?

[Rick McGowan]

Scrub cattle, which may be the most underrated big/dangerous game animal in the world. Lots of big hogs, dingoes, five or so species of deer, feral goats and sheep and maybe crocodiles.

[south OZ russ]

there are also some feral brumbys and banteng(like scrub bulls) up north.

cant shoot crocs here though mate

[Rick McGowan]

I said MAYBE crocs, they have had croc hunting in the future works for a while now and a number of outfitters already know how many permits they are going to get if and when the final aproval ever comes through. I forgot about the banteng, Australia is the only place in the world that they can be legally hunted.

[stickandstring]

I like it all. Africa is really neat, but, was expensive for me. I went in 99 and it was just like National Geographic.
I'm an aussie living in the States since 86. Have fond memories of bowhunting roos, dingoes and goats in the Snowy Mountains. Interesting to hear, nowdays, that roos can not be killed or at least must be done with special permission, centerfire rifle, head shot etc.
You guys talk about Buffalo and Crocs. I'm not sure I could trust myself with these critters. Kill or be killed. Gun no problem, bow..... well be ultra careful.
Anyhow, koowee to all the aussie bowhunters.
Nick Horton in Virginia

[Hawken1911]

Thanks for the info guys.  How is the various Australian game hunted?  It seems like the most popular method for a lot of African outfitters is to set you up in a ground blind or tree stand near a watering hole.  What about downunder?

[LBR]

I haven't been to either one (yet), and it's probably going to be a choice for a once in a lifetime hunt for me.  So.....I've researched both extensively--not the same as being there, but a whole lot cheaper.  Here's my take.

Australia is much more of a hunt.  You can spot and stalk in Africa, with much less chance of success,and you will need a lot more time;  or you can set up over a water hole and it seems be pretty much guaranteed several shot opportunities.  I'm sure it's not as easy as it sounds, but to me it's basically like hunting over a bait pile--the animals got to have water, water supply is limited, so there you go.  If you sit quietly long enough, they will come.

I dreamed of Africa for years--mainly because of the many different animals--but after talking with friends who have "been there, done that", I don't think I'll ever go.  It really broke my heart--I have lusted over the thoughts of having gemsbok and kudu and wildebeast--even warthog--hides and mounts for years.  One friend who has been there, and may go back, described killing one particularly sought after trophy to be like "shooting a cow" (and he did it with a recurve).  He said if he does go back, he will never shoot another one of those.

It's just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth, but the choice for me was easy.  I have my bow on order, and plan to do my hunt in Australia--Good Lord willing, in '06.

Chad

[Rick McGowan]

Australia is almost all spot and stalk or sometimes in the case of hogs, still hunting or just sneaking along in a good place. Paul Brunner is bringing over a couple tree stands this year to try over water holes and wallows. It will definately work, but we will know how well in a few months.

[hunt it]

Good points by all. Never hunted Australia, but have hunted Africa three times. There is alot of wild/free ranging hunting in Africa, it is not all fenced. Mainly South Africa and Namibia offer the fenced ranch hunts, rest of Africa is wild. You must remember that the majority of first time African hunters want success and in numbers. This is what makes the ranch operations so successful. If one wants to take on spot and stalk hunting for free ranging species one can expect lower success. But not all of us measure success in quantity, some like the satisfaction of hunting an animal in it's wild environment. If you don't get it you enjoy the hunt and come back and do it again. Life's short, go hunting!

[Ben Maher]

I too dream of Africa, the place where Capstick ,Swineheart and so many others have fuelled my imagination. However living in Australia lends me some bias as i live within twenty minutes of Sambar deer, mountain pigs, foxes and countless rabbits that can be hunted year round with minimum of fuss or cost.Just my 2 cents and first post.Cheers

[Jock]

Welcome Benjamin, whereabouts in Oz are you from?

[Dsturgisjr]

I've hunted in Africa 7 times and always had great hunts. Looking forward to hunting Austrailia with Rick in June. I'd hate to be limited to one choice. A lot of the experience for me is the new country and different species.

I think the quality of these hunts depends on where you go. I've seen videos of guys shooting African plains game eating hay and heard of operations trucking animals in for hunters to shoot. Not the kind of places I would waste my time in. Some of the New Zealand hunts sound canned also. That doesn't mean every hunt in Africa or New Zealand is bad; we just have to do our homework to ensure quality experiences.

If I had to make a choice I would stick with the buff hunt in Austrailia. Once that is under my belt? Monty Browning lit a fire when he told me about stalking Cape Buffalo in Mozambique.

[Ben Maher]

I hear far to often of both canned hunts and dodgy operations, and so constantly err on the side of caution....however next year My hunting partner and I shall head to the far north where the pigs are BIG the Buffalo are HUGE whilst the flies are always remain scarier than either....Africa shall have to wait. Denny, hope Australia is all that you hope for and don't hesitate to contact if you need help pulling all those heavy bows [ i read TBH].... i pulled seventy# once and my chiropracters kids thanked me for the college tuition fee installment i gave their Dad. I'm from Victoria , One and a Half hours from Melbourne to ans. your ? Jock....
cheers.

[devildog66]

I'd tote luggage and cook someone's meals just for the chance to loose an arrow in either locale.  And I am a good cook too!  

[Hawken1911]

Thanks to everyone for the imput.

Denny, Since I'm currently pre-planning an '06 hunt somewhere in Africa, may I ask if you have a favorite spot / outfitter?  I know "Too Short" and others have had great things to say about Greater Kuduland Safaris.  Where would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks,

Hawken

[Dsturgisjr]

Hey Hawken, I've never been to Howard's place, but heard nothing but good reports. If Paul Brunner and Don Thomas like it it must be good. I enjoyed hunting at Melorani, also in RSA. Sounds like Humani in Zimbabwe is basicly gone. It was one of the neatest places I've ever hunted. I'm glad I had the pleasure of three trips.

In Namibia I've hunted at Ha Nore and Ombengu; both great places. My favorite is Ombengu. I like the terrain and the style of the PH's. You should look over the choices and see what works for what you are after. A lot of these places probably already have slots booked for 2006. Good luck, Denny

[Rick McGowan]

I've only hunted at Greater Kuduland in Africa, but it is an awesome place. Howards family has owned much of the land for like five generations. It is a big place also, two properties of a total something like 110,000 acres. Excellent trophy quality, food and accomodations are unbeliveable. Its not the cheapest place, but then the cheapest places aften aren't that good.

[howie]

bmlongshot73
Got a sambar with the bow yet?  i want one. I live in Bathurst NSW, drop me a line
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