Oz Buff Update

[Don Thomas]

This will be brief because I have just finished three days of flying and am wiped out, swamped with unfinished chores and due to head north to AK in a few days. Just returned from another trip to the Tiwi Islands, but this time I was healthy and could actually hunt with something other than a camera and fly rod! The buff hunting, as expected based on last year's exploratory, was phenomenal. I killed a bull early on so I could spend plenty of time -- you guessed it! -- taking pictures, helping others and fly-fishing! All four members of our party killed bulls. As of this time, 8 bowhunters have hunted the Tiwi Islands and all 8 have killed buff. This remarkable stat reflects the fact that game is abundant, not easy! Billie and Brad are currently in the field with the last three bowhunters of the season. I'll be organizing next year's schedule as soon as I get back from AK... anyone interested can feel free to drop me a line. I'll get all of this written up at some point in detail, but because there is so much interest in buffalo here I thought I'd spit out the facts sooner rather than later. Cheers all, Don

[Jack Shanks]

Great going Don! Can't wait to read about your adventure.

[Torben Jensen]

Don, I would like to know more about the plans for next year since I am contemplating a trip for buff.
I have been twice to Cape York in OZ after wild boars already and would like to have a go at buff.
I'm living in Denmark so it is quite a trip going to OZ - so I know how you feel with all that flying!

Torben

[Rick McGowan]

I just back from three months in OZ myself and am totally flogged out. All the hunters had multiple opportunites this year where I hunt as well and all brought home at least one buff(except one). Most of the hunters took or had shots at hogs and donkeys as well as some good barra fishing. We had one bull that will probably be in the top ten and another that we should have got with a bow, but later was taken by a gun hunter will be about #5 or 6 in the SCI book.

[Basalt]

I have just returned from our buffalo camp on Melville Island and can now report 100% success on bow killed bulls for 2005. This in no way means they were easy to hunt and we all worked long and hard to achieve this end and not without a few testing times. Bow weight [our recommended weight or heavier] had very little to do with the end results and it was definitely shot placement that made the difference between a buffalo going down within sight or a second arrow being required.

The first buff to hit the ground was taken with a single “Ipe” [Brazilin Walnut] arrow tipped with an “Eclipse” from Don Thomas’s 78lb recurve. The broadhead fully penetrated the bull’s chest for a classic double lung shot and the bull dropped within sight. Don’s bull was taken on the first morning.

John “Rosey” Roseland claimed the second bull after a close stalk amongst the “Cycads” on the second morning. Rosey’s first arrow took the bull low in the chest right on the leg crease. The bull spun around and just to be sure Rosey double lunged the bull from the opposite side. He also dropped within sight. Rosey shot a 77lb longbow and carbon arrow tipped with a “Zwickey” and a 100gn insert.

Greg Campbell passed on many a bull before taking a huge bull with his compound, carbon arrow and “Simmons” broadhead, which disappeared full length inside the bull and put him down quickly.

Mark Veihweg after a number of close encounters took his bull on the last morning using the same arrow set-up as Don and his “Thunderstick” longbow.

The second week proved to be every bit as action packed from the start as the first week had been. Brad Kane guided Roger Rutz in on a very nice bull. Roger’s first arrow was a little way back but the second arrow that quickly followed split a rib on entry and exit and took out the lungs. The bull made it to some heavy cover and there were some anxious moments for both hunter and guides when the trail was taken up an hour or so later. In the end it was smiles all round when Brad discovered the bull dead not far into the thick regrowth. Later, Roger was to have a large bull walk to within 4yds of him, Brad had the bull covered and I managed to photograph the action. Roger said it was one of the highlights of his trip.
Al Gemrich [a true gentleman from Michigan] and I stalked a truly huge bull late one afternoon in a creek bottom. We had to ease past another bull to get within range of the big fellow. The breeze had dropped right off and like most of the final stalks we were in our socks so as to keep the noise to a minimum. The smaller bull caught our scent and crashed off but the big bull stood his ground and finally dropped his head to resume feeding. You could have cut the tension with a knife. The bull was under 20yds but did not offer Al the right angle. Finally he too caught our scent and crashed off into the thick stuff leaving Al and I a little short of breath. A couple of days later Al arrowed a nice buff through the heart from about 16yds while hunting with Brad. They both watched Al’s bull stagger and go down within sight. Al was shooting a 70lb “Black Widow” recurve and Birch arrow tipped with an “ Eclipse” head for a total weight of 800gn.

Ed Schlief owner of the renowned “GrizzlyStik” shafts was shooting his “GrizzlyStik Safaris” tipped with the German made “ Silver Flame” broadheads. I was with Ed when he arrowed a fine bull from 10yds after a long and testing stalk. Even though Ed was shooting the lightest bow in camp the broadhead still passed clean through the bull’s on-side shoulder and out in front of the off-side shoulder. The bull collapsed within sight and failed to break Ed’s arrow. Ed had fourteen different stalks on bulls until the right conditions came together and he arrowed his buff.

Just so people understand a little more about our Asiatic Buffalo I’ll add that a couple of months ago a local mainlander was killed by a buff while checking his water pump. By all accounts there was not a lot left of the poor chap.

Ed, Al and Roger joined Brad and I at our Axis/Boar camp in Queensland for a few days after Melville. The guys took a boar each and had plenty of action on the Axis but the deer eluded their arrows.

We have one week left available for Buffalo October 21st to 27th for two or four hunters at our Melville Island camp. The hunting would be excellent at that time of year, as the buff will be concentrated around the remaining wallows. The down side is it will be hot and humid and any hunters venturing there will want to be fit.  

I'll post some photos once we have them on our website.
I'm off across the "big Pond" to Idaho for a month to experience the mighty "Rockies" at the end of the week. I'll be hunting with a couple of Idaho traditional mates and have Elk/Bear and deer tags.
Good hunting to all,
Basalt.

[Al Kidner]

G'day ol mate, thanks for your input about the bow/arrow/ and broadheads. Good to see things working out for you. As Kelly said to me..."Bill must have been a real nice fella in a past life" I than went on to explained to her that I myself was more nimble, a better shot, far better looking lad and maker of fine Traditional arras!    This swung her around!

 I'll call for a yarn before you head off. Ahhhh the life of a guide is never easy........


 Regards Al.

[Basalt]

G'day young fella,how's the family? I've always said " that Kelly's a darling". It seems that all my mates these days are more nimble, better shots and far better looking [which wouldn't be too hard] but my arrows, hell they look just fine, without my glasses on !!
Give us a call mate when you get time, I can't find your number.The life of a guide is never easy ? 'eemmm I'll have to think on that for awhile.
Regards,Bill.

[Brute killer]

Basalt, tried to check out you website and your "sliding" menu on the left-hand side of the page slides down below the edge of the comp screen before I can click on anything. Can only go down as far as "Testimonials". Would like to see the Gallery.

[Brute killer]

Tried several "running shots" at it with no luck.

[Basalt]

Martin
Have a look at the recommended resolution at the top of the home page on the website.1024x768
This should solve the problem.
Thanks
Basalt

[Brute killer]

OK, Thanks.