Gear for OZ?

[Terry Green]

I'm seriously hoping to join Charlie next year on a trip of a lifetime, and I would like to know what all to consider as gear goes.

I would guess you guys take 2 bows, one for back up?

How many arrows JUST for Buff hunting?  

How many extra arrows for 'other' hunting?

How about a list of other hunting, and non-hunting "stuff" to take?

Thanks,

[herb haines]

Terry ,
don't know about OZ but any time you are in a foreign country hunting Dangerous Game one thing is insurance   :D  .not trying to be funny but if you did get busted up either from a buff or from some one driving on the wrong side of road (hear it is alright to do that over there ) there are companies that will Medavac you back to the U.S..i can look up the companies ,have them filed somewhere , as i checked when i was hoping to get to South  Africa .they will come dig you out of the bush and to a hospital in country you are in and then bring you home on a medical flight , runs around $400 u.s. a year .also good for inside  u.s. .------- herb

[Twang]

Tarz,

This is my African check list, should work for OZ too.  

[Charlie Lamb]

Yeah T, I'm wondering about huntin clothes. Warm enough to hunt in shorts? Pepper spray for crocs?  

[Jock]

Terry,
Twang's list just about covers everything, depends on the area and time of year regarding hunting in shorts, personally I'm kinda paranoid about snakes and such and would add some kind of lower limb protection

[herb haines]

figure if i was close enough to peper spray a croc would be making better use of my short time left on earth praying .---- herb 330# and can't run very fast   :D

[Twang]

Herb,

You are definitely THE man I want to go bear hunting with ... if things go really bad, maybe I can outrun YOU!  

[Charlie Lamb]

good point guys.....running shoes added to list!  

[Terry Green]

Wow.....thanks guys.  

Charlie....I recon the 1st thing you added to that list was colone?    

 

[Rick McGowan]

OK, heres my two cents. I actually keep taking less stuff every year. If I took it twice and didn't use it, I don't need it. I also like to travel as light as possible. If you are only hunting in the Northern Territory where the buff are, it will be warm, it is well inside the tropical zone, so even in the middle of their winter it still may hit 90 in the middle of the day, the air is VERY dry though so in the shade will be comfortable. In still can be cool in the morning, especially if you are in an open vehicle. Also the sun is very strong, so most folks need some protection from it. You can hunt in shorts, but most don't. I generally wear camo tee shirts and the bdu type camo pants, with the cargo pockets. I do take a small fanny pack, but usually leave it in the vehicle. A light jacket for mornings is nice. I also take a couple of old tee shirt to wear in camp etc. and then I can just leave them to lighten the load on the way home. Where I hunt we take an extra gear bag, large size to bring back capes and horns as checked baggage, that alone will save you quite a bit over Africa. I shot a buff in April and had it hanging on my wall in August!

I take one takedown recurve with a spare set of limbs. I can use the same arrows with either set. If I was going for two weeks on a buff hunt I would take at least 30 arrows and glue etc. for repairs. I usually only take about 5 practice arrows and I can change the heads on those. A soft case to protect your strung bow in the vehicle is nice. I pack the bow in a soft case inside of my gear bag for the flights.

If you have more than one guy going you can divide up the spare stuff such as string wax, super glue, leatherman etc.. One small flashlight is enough, you probably won't even use that. Bulk is as big a problem as weight, sometimes more.

Crocs and snakes are not a problem, you probably won't even see either one, you will see cane toads though, don't lick em!    Ric

[Charlie Lamb]

T... definately takin the cologne!! A guy can't be too well prepared! (looks like you've got a very vivid imagination on the keyboard)

[Rick McGowan]

Don't forget that when you come back, you will have more stuff than you took(except arrows)! I can fit all of my gear into a Cabelas large size gear bag, except for the cameras and binos which are in my carry on. I don't know about that cologne thing, some of them blokes in the outback have been out there a long time!    Rick

[bayoulongbowman]

Hey gang , Im right behind you , after reading this site ,I know i want to hunt OZ . So, ole Mark is taking notes...dont forget at least two good cameras ....and tell Steve and Terri (crochunters) hi for me too...LOL..Best of Luck to you all ...May the good Lord bless and keep you . #78 Mark

[bayoulongbowman]

Twang , And 2 sharp knifes....good luck #78

[bayoulongbowman]

WOW! pepper spray on a croc...thats like hot sauce ...that croc eat you cajun style!!!mc.

[Twang]

Oz, where men are men and sheep are nervous.  Leave the cologne at home!  

[Twang at Work]

T,

I thought of a couple of more important things, that weren't listed:

Journal, to keep your notes of the hunt.  Without it old timers, like me, can't remember squat.

Get your shots, don't know if your area in Oz, is a malaria area?  But the Travel Well center over at St. Joes in Atl. has a good program to figure out what you need, maybe tetnus and take some Cipro, for travelers disease or  ?

You might want to fill out that Customs Form 4457 for serial no. items.  You get that at the Customs office out by the Atl airport.

In reading back through my notes, there were a couple of other things of note:  

IF you may have to track animals yourself at dark, then take a headlamp.  Personally, I found in SA, the trackers carried some pretty pitiful flashlights, and I was very happy to have a Petzl Duo to illuminate the situation.

IF you are going to hunt any blinds or hides, I recommend taking some shoot thru mesh.    

Hope this is helpful.

[Rick McGowan]

If you are tracking any wounded buffalo at night you will be doing it by yourself!    In fact pretty much of anything, I thought I was going to be gored by a red stag, who had no few of me whatsover after dark. I did get a tetanus booster, before I went the first time, its good for ten years. Australia is on the same level with the US when it comes to health matters and its probably even safer in the outback, since there are so few people there. We all drink the water right out of the rivers, just watch for crocs. No other shots or pills are necessary. Rick

[Terry Green]

Great info....hope I get to put it to use.

[Terry Green]

ttt