Caza Con Hoyt

Beasts on the Frontier

By Adam Greentree (Australia)

1/02/2013




The fact that I renewed my life insurance before the trip said enough about hunting in Northern Australia. Deadly Snakes, poisonous Spiders, flesh devouring Crocodiles, trampling Ox bulls and of course, bone crushing Water Buffalo, all a part of the thrill of this hunt.

My Wife Kim actually organized thisexploration during an appointment at the hairdressers of all things. Just when I thought she couldn’t possibly be more of a babe, she lines up a buffalo hunt, too good to be true.

I was leaving things a little late for the wet seasons approach running the risk of being landlocked by heavy rains. It’s also the hottest time of the year but if you don’t mind the heat obviously the later during the dryseason the better as the game is concentrated to the areas that are holding fresh water. A few storms had been brewing up over the preceding weeks, but my area for hunting still looked good and accessible, as informed by my contact in the hunting area.

It was a hefty effort to get to my destination, but a few flights later and a few days of traveling into remote Northern Territory I reachedwhat could only be described as a wild frontier filled with nature’s wild beasts, a paradise for hunters and outdoors persons alike.

I felt like I had ventured into the late 70’s as I set the binoculars over a plain of brown grass with a watercourse through it on the drive in. Grazing and wallowing buffalo spread out across the area far and wide, there was possibly sixty beasts in view include agood bull. I stood in awe on top of the escarpment cliffs looking over an unforgettable sight before continuing on to see the landowner to confirm I had arrived safely. I dropped of some supplies in appreciation for the access to the land and then it was game on. I had arrived and was going to be chasing buffalo in this wide space of land the thought had me buzzing with excitement.

Day OneAfternoon

Out on the bone dry edge of a Pandanas swamp, I spotted a large bull, which absolutely looked just like a black tank with horns. This was my first up close Buff and first impression and what an impression that fine beast made. They are actually a very pretty animal with unique facial features and light markings.

I was super keen and ecstatic to be heading in for my first stalk on aBuffalo. Aaron my camera man and backup followed in on my footsteps with the video in his hand and rifle over the shoulder. The ground was littered with crunching loud dead leaves, which made stalking very difficult until I hit a game trail of bull dust and followed it along towards the bull, that was still a good two hundred meters (219 yards) away.

Eventually, I had to leave the game trailto close the gap on the big buff, but not before letting a wild stallion walk between the bull and myself. I crossed the leaf litter covered ground when leaving the trail, every step felt like it sounded like a piece of 2x4 hard wood being snapped beside my ear.

Whenever the bull had its head down feeding or walking, I moved as it too was making a lot of noise when busy. Fifty meters feltclose, but I continued on and moved into a deep washout. From there I moved closer, crouched over and out of sight before popping back up at 35 meters. I was looking for the right angle and placement for my arrow, which I had studied a lot before the trip.

I drew back as the bull angled away and released. I was consumed and totally excited as it soaked up the arrow high in the heart. The bull spunas the arrow slipped out through the opposite shoulder and ran past me at just meters before crashing to the ground. After a few minutes I stalked up on the downed bull and watched it to make sure its chest wasn’t moving. My first buffalo and a beautiful big bull at that, 44inches tip to tip, 93 Douglas Points.

The Hoyt Carbon Matrix RKT at 70# had proven more than efficient at slipping an...