Australian water buffalo are the third largest of the buffalo species. A water buffalo will weigh on average between 1543-1763 lbs. but can exceed over 1600 lbs. Both the cows and bulls have horns. Wild buffalo have heavier mass and are wider, ranch buffalo tend to have the same mass as cows. Trophy Australian water buffalo horns are typically 27-40 inches long per horn, and 16-24 inches at the bases. Water buffalo really have only one predator which is the salt water crocodile, but when the calves are young dingo packs can take them down.
New Zealand hunting outfitter and guide, Jim Gibson, from New Zealand Safaris has been putting hunts together since 2007 in Australia from June-October each year on free range buffalo hunting safaris. Based in the Northern Territories Australia on what is the largest, most remote and now the only designated hunting and conservation area for buffalo hunting.
At over 2 million acres (90x60 miles) that ranges from coastlines, tropical jungle, river valleys and grass swamps this hunt has everything hunters are looking to experience on a wild buffalo hunt.
The quality of these genuine Australian wild buffalo are second to none, and hunters have the option of taking multiple trophies including wild oxen. In this corner of Australia you'll find the last remaining herds of pure wild oxen, not to be mistaken for the common wild ranch cattle or scrub bull. Ox are typically light red in colour and will have a white blaze on their nose and often down their legs. A lot more flighty than the water buffalo, wild ox typically live in heavy jungle and occasionally come out into clearnings in the evenings. They will disappear in a cloud of dust should they feel threatened. Taller in the legs than water buffalo, wild ox can stand at the shoulder up to 6 feet and will weigh between 1100-2600 lbs. Our mature water buffalo bull trophies will average in age from 18-30 years old which is a testament to the quality of feed and managed numbers within their habitat.
