What is the Climate Like?
How do I get My Trophy Home?
How do I Bring my Rifle to Australia?
What Calibers Should I use?
What is the Climate Like?
The Northern Territory of Australia lies north of the Capricorn and has two distinct Seasons.
The Wet Season runs from about Xmas day to the beginning of May. Extremely high humidity and high temperatures means it can be very uncomfortable to be outside. A high volume of Monsoonal rain during this period floods many areas which also makes it unsuitable for hunting.
The Dry Season runs from around June until mid-September. During this time there will be no rain at all. It’s cool in the morning and evening and reaches a high of around 28-30 degrees during the days. Infact it's probably the best weather in Australia at this time. It’s a lovely time to be in the NT and this is the period that we conduct our hunts. From around September – November, we call this build up period. The humidly intensifies with thunderstorms and a lot of low Cumulus cloud. The hunting can be very good at this time if it has not rained much. This is because the animals are a lot easier to find and are concentrated around remaining water bodies.
How do I get my Trophy Back Home?
For hunters that want just a skull mount with horns, we have a local contact in Darwin who we will drop the trophy with, from there he will be given your contact details and will prepare you trophy with a bleached skull with horns attached and can then ship it to your address either locally or overseas. Once the trophy is dropped off, it is the Hunters responsibility to arrange payment and shipping of the trophy via our contact.
For those that want a Taxidermy Shoulder mount, Gunsmoke Adventures will head skin, flesh and salt your trophy included in the hunt price. We can then drop it with a shipping company in order to arrange at the hunter’s expense to have it shipped to your Taxidermist in Australia or via Rait International for overseas shipping. Engagement with the shipping of the trophy is the responsibility of the Hunter.
How do I bring my Firearm to Australia?
In order for an international hunter to bring a firearms into the Northern Territory, the hunter must use a Hunting Company with a Corporate Licence. Gunsmoke Adventures will arrange the paperwork and import permits at a cost of $200 US. This should be done at least 3 Months before your hunt starts.
Alternatively you may use one of our quality firearms at a cost of $200.00 US Per Safari.
What Calibers should I use?
For Buffalo a good minimum would be a .338 Winchester Loaded with Premium Projectiles.
They are a tough animal and hard to put down with a single shot. Particularly when disturbed
A 375 H&H is perfect and you can go up to the heavier .400 - .500 calibers if you prefer,in either a
Double rifle or Bolt Action.
For Wild Boar, Feral Donkeys and Scrub Cattle a 30/06 is perfect.
We can supply either a .375 H&H, .416 Ruger or a Steyr 30/06, all loaded with premium ammunition, or you can import your own firearm into Australia.
What about Bow Hunting?
We suggest Water Buffalo should be considered for experienced bow hunters only.
Heavy 600+ grain arrows and high quality two blade Broadeheads are needed. The skin on a Buffalo can literally be once inch thick in places and getting sufficient penetration with an arrow is the challenge. Buffalo are extremly tough and unless you heart shoot or double lung them, there is a high probablity of losing them.
Despite these challenges we will take Bow Hunters.
What about Crossbows?
The Northern Territory of Australia is the only State or Territory in Australia where Crossbows are generally and freely available. They are great for hunting Boars if you want to add another challenge.
How fit do I need to be be?
A high level of fitness is not needed for this hunt. The terrain is mostly flat, however it would be advantageous if you can hike 3-5 miles with a small day pack. As with any hunting trip, the fitter you are, the easier it will be to get around.
What do I need to bring?
You dont need a ton of expensive or specialised gear for this hunt.
The following is a basic gear list:
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Light hunting pants or shorts x2
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Light hunting shirts (Camo or olive or Kahki) x3
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Light set of clothes to change into back at camp
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Sandals or light shoes to wear around camp
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Underwear
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A light jacket or pull over for the evenings
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Socks
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Very Light Hiking or Trail Boots (heavy duty hiking boots are not needed)
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Good Binoculars
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Camera and Spare memory cards and batteries
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Lens cleaning kit
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Small Day Pack (20-40LT)
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Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder
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Personal Meds if any
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3B cream
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Toiletry
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Headlamp and spare batteries
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Wide brimmed hat
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Sun Screen
What about local Taxidermy?
We recommend Downundertaxidermy for Buffalo Shoulder Mounts. A Queensland based company, we can arrange to have trophies shipped to them at the hunters cost. You can view some of their work here.