Professional Hunters

AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS TEAM Welcome to our crazy life, remote adventures, often living in outback Arnhem Land with a green canvas tent or swag/bedroll as home for the dry season. Our team offer a great service in remote outback Australia, for both the international hunter and the landowners. I will guide the whole dry season. The other guides are also licensed by the NT Police, and work casual as required by the hunt schedule. We all have a passion for fine arms, big bore rifles, and thrive on tough Buffalo hunting in remote wilderness. We do it right. Real hunting, long term, honest, ethical and professional.

See what we get up to. Visit me on Instagram.... graham williams buffalo hunter

Dangerous Game Professional Hunter Training

PROFESSIONAL HUNTER TRAINING Since we started, our PH team complete training for various DG hunting scenarios, and fast accurate shooting. Trophy caping, treatment and documentation for export and taxidermy is reviewed. NT Police approved firearms and safety certificate courses are required for our licenses. Guiding on dangerous game requires specific skills and training - and is not the same as guiding on medium game. We have stopped many charges, to prevent injury and save lives. Most of our team have hunted in Africa and seen the excellent service and qualifications required by many African professional hunters. Australian Buffalo Hunters team understand the importance of quality service in all areas. We do it right. If you hear any negative comments about our business, please let us know. We are proud to constantly improve.

Our PH Team

GRAHAM WILLIAMS - OWNER

My life, my work, my passion - is full time hunt planning and guiding on dangerous game, big rifles and exploring. It began 35 years ago on a Banteng & Buffalo hunt with a friend in NT and the 'guide' carried no rifle!! At Colin's first shot the Banteng bull spun around and took off, a couple more shots and it cartwheeled over 15 yards to my right. It stood, turned and charged Colin on my left, who was reloading his 470 NE. At 8yds I fired and dropped the Banteng bull in front of us with a Silver Tip from the Winchester Express 375 H&H.! I was now hooked on the excitement of getting up close on large game and hunting with a large bore rifle. After many Australian and African adventures, I started a safari company 28 years ago, growing a dedicated guiding team, all focused on great service and real hunting in outback Australia.

" Buffalo Hunting Is A Disease With No Cure - Only Treatment "

OWNER & PERSONAL BACKGROUND Raised on our cattle, sheep and grain farm. My father and older brother taught me honesty, respect and firearms safety.... To be a shooter I must be a responsible and law-abiding citizen my whole life. My career then became an Industrial Electrician and Instrumentation technician, including being a member of the Emergency response team at a number of refineries, oil & gas and mine sites. I traveled and hunted in South Africa and remote Zimbabwe, experienced top customer service in Africa, which planted the seed for my safari business in Australia.

Starting in 1997 as Outback Expeditions (no web, no email, just post and fax), then as Australian Buffalo Hunters, for 28 years. I am very proud to have been the safari contractor to Gulin Gulin Buffalo Company for 19 years up to 2019, often with 2x camps around Bulman, Weemol, Mt Jean, Mt Catt, Bonanza Valley, and we have paid for every Buffalo etc we ever shot. My personal hunting has taken me all over Australia, to New Zealand, Mozambique for Cape Buffalo, many South Africa hunting safaris for plains game, Elephant & Cape Buffalo, the Namibia Caprivi strip after Elephant, Hippo, Cape Buffalo and Crocodile, stunning Kyrgyzstan after Ibex, Siberian Roebuck and Marco Polo, plus Hungary, Belgium, France and Spain for Ibex, Stag and Boar.

My passion is all types of wilderness hunting. This business involves double the hours of a normal job. Planning, conventions, schedules, flights, licensing, office work, then sorting supplies, vehicles, servicing, setting camps, trophy cleaning, exports, customer tasks, etc. About 1/3 of that time is actual hunt guiding in the field. It has huge costs, the royalty fees are large, and hopefully a small wage at the end of the season, many months away from home. So it is a lifestyle job, my reward is helping international hunters achieve their dreams in another country. I am proud of our remote product, our service, and our team.

On my bit of time off, I enjoy chatting with great hunting friends all over the globe. I also enjoy reloading for my nice medium calibers, 223. 7x57, 3006, 300WSM etc, and with mates some Rusa deer hunting for the table, and a few trips after Sambar deer in the Victoria mountains. I also enjoy our motor bike rides, and love the beach and coast with family.

I am a very proud Life member of SCI, and life member of IPHA (International Professional Hunters Association), a Life member of SSAA, a Member of ADA, SWH&C, MSL and Dallas Safari Club. I have guided over 850 Buffalo hunts, and my company has completed over 1100 Buffalo hunts. I will be guiding another 15 years or more, and love every wilderness Buffalo and Banteng hunt we do. See you in the bush, God bless, Graham Williams.

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JOE ESTERMANN - Guide

Joe assisted with our first ever Buffalo hunters in 1997. We hunted the Ramingining swamps in Arnhem Land for the first 3 years, Water Buffalo on coastal flood plains, and skull/cape retrievals in the mud. We now operate INLAND with no wetland mud.!! Joe's main career was government services and training. His professional conduct has seen him guide many clients, with a good hunt plan. At home in the south, he hunts wild boar and deer, also an avid fisherman. He has hunted South Africa, Europe and New Zealand many times, and understands client service. Joe is a founding member of both South West Hunting & Conservation, and the Western Australian branch of the Australian Deer Association.

WALLY ESTERMANN (Joes brother) has recently retired from guiding. His police service, fisheries dept, aviation, international pilot and Airline CEO experience, had him well qualified for excellent service for our clients. We still appreciate Wally assisting at camp, logistics and training.

JOSH RAWLINSON - Guide

A few years ago Josh joined the guide team, and brought his professional skills to enhance Australian Buffalo Hunters. He has hunted Australia and New Zealand, with a passion for tough hunts, mountain hunts, deer hunting and all types of fishing. A young gentleman who looks after his fellow hunters, and has added a lot to our Expeditions and Safaris. He prefers a 416 which has proven adequate to stop huge Buffalo, Banteng and follow up on dangerous game. He enjoys practice and deer hunting trips with some of the other guides and mates outside of the mid year Buffalo hunt season.

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SHAUN - Guide

Enthusiastic and a strong lad. Shaun is a professional hunter and team member who is always lending a hand, and getting everyone loaded up and out hunting on time. He enjoys using the time proven 404 Jeffery, and will make sure clients have a great dangerous game hunting adventure. He has hunted most species in Australia, and ventured to NZ and Africa on dangerous game. In his spare time he is often out hunting and back-packing for Wild hogs, Rusa deer and the large Sambar deer in our southern mountains. He often uses a 9.3x74 double rifle on Sambar in heavy bush.

ADAM CHRISTO - Guide

Since a child Adam had a love for wilderness, remote places and he dreamed of Africa. Throw in a passion for classic big game rifles, calibres and constructive conservation, so Adam naturally gravitated to safaris. With just shy of 20 big game safaris to the remote parts of Zimbabwe and Northern Mozambique, travels through East Africa, and hunting in many other countries, a lot of African dangerous game experience was gained. As an experienced professional hunter, he will ensure your success in remote Arnhem Land.

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IAN BLEVIN - Guide

Speaking of gentlemen. Ian has many skills and experiences, from running business and all types or hunting in Zimbabwe, plus his knowledge of birds, botanical etc when running an adventure expeditions business in central Australia. When called upon to guide Buffalo hunters he is professional, dedicated, a capable tracker and forward thinking. Ian understands client service and camp management. He knows how tough Cape Buffalo and Water Buffalo are. Recently an unprovoked charge was stopped with 2x Solids from the 416.

Wato - Assistant

What does a (semi) retired professional worker and dangerous game hunter do when he's not venturing to Africa.? Brian Watson has hunted many countries and has a passion for Rigby rifles, owning a lovely 470 Nitro Express double, and a Best Grade bolt action 416 Rigby made to order. Having hunted our Water Buffalo, and seeing how tough they are, he has joined us as an assistant for some of the tough and demanding jobs around Buffalo camp, such as loading the 4x4, spotting game, catering, testing fine wine, adding ice cubes, and trying to find his GPS.... plus many other useful tasks. However he is here because of our great friendship, our service and ethics, a desire to explore the wilds... (and his jokes).

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Dangerous Game Rifles

GUIDE & CLIENT DANGEROUS GAME RIFLES The following information is my personal opinion only, and yes we all have different gear, ideas and thoughts. Thick skinned dangerous game hunted on foot requires a heavy caliber, these rifles have heavy recoil, so select the biggest dangerous game rifle cartridge that you can shoot accurately, and can carry all day. In our safari camp we have these rifles available in 375 H&H, 404 Jeffery, 416 Rigby & 458 WM calibers. All have good express sights, and most fitted with quality scopes in quick detachable (QD) mounts. I have used both double and bolt action rifles, either choice is fantastic, as long as they function 100% reliably and the hunter is very familiar to be fast and accurate with their weapon. Over the years and over 1200 Buffalo hunts, we have seen nearly all the big calibers in use. Personally, I have carried and used the following; 375 H&H, 404 Jeffery, 416 Rigby, 435 PH Express (my own invention), Boswell 450/400 double, 458 WM, 458 Lott, Holland and Holland 465 Express double rifle (stopped 3 charges), a few 500 Jeffery (a favorite hard hitter), a 585 Nyati (a 750 grainer (.577) I loaded mild to 2050fps), and I once carried a rare #8 Holland and Holland 600 NE Royal (900grainers) for a short time (damn heavy and a monster to shoot). I now generally guide with a 404 or 416, an easier carry weight, 4 Hydro or Cup Point Solids in the magazine, capable of the full body penetration occasionally required on a fast departing 2000lb bull Buffalo. If a charge occurs, to 100% stop someone from being smashed, I need perfect shot placement to destroy the brain. Graham Williams PH.

DOUBLE RIFLES The classic double rifle looks stunning, has two immediate shots, it shoulders fast, feels lighter and fantastic in your hands. Pictured above are some nice Heym, Rigby, Watson, Evans and Holland and Holland double rifles. Personally, I like the calibers of; 375 Flanged, 375 H&H, 450/400 NE, 500/416 NE, new 416 Rigby #2 rimmed, and 450 NE. All have manageable recoil for accurate shooting, and a reasonable carry weight, important for trekking under a blazing sun. Such rifles are stocked for quick iron sight shooting, so get a huge buffalo size target, and practice at 50m, BUT, please also fire a few shots at 100m and 150m, (yes it will happen) a offhand 2 shots group of 10-20cm (4-10") is just fine. WHY, because sometimes animals turn and run, and fast shots are required. A few hunters with ageing eyes cannot see express front sights anymore, especially at dusk with low light and in shadows, this is where a large white front sight and a white triangle in the rear sight is brilliant. But another solution, for example on a 450/400 NE, is a detachable scope with long eye relief. A scope in QD mounts can be carried in the backpack, and mounted on the rifle if needed. Moving up to the 470 NE, 500 NE & 577 NE these are ideal for Elephant and Buffalo. Recoil is harsh to some people, and tolerable for a big rugby player or a practiced large bore shooter. No scope on a .450, .470 or .500 for me, as expecting a scope cut in the head can ruin my trigger control and accuracy. Before you order or buy at Buffalo rifle, I recommend you try or borrow a big caliber rifle. Fire 6 or so rounds (not just 1or2), from a rest, offhand and kneeling, 50m & 100m, simulate what you will be doing in the field. An ethical hunter's responsibility is to shoot well, and take his trophy or game cleanly. Then practice with small and large rifles, field shooting positions, quick reloading, and offhand.

THE BOLT ACTION Calibers for Buffalo include the 9.3x62, 375 H&H, 416 RM, 400 H&H, 416 Rigby, 404 Jeffery, 458 WM, 458 Lott, 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs. Also the 378, 416 & 460 Weatherby Magnums excelling in their caliber class. One of the best things about a bolt rifle, is its magazine capacity, and 4 or 5 rounds gives me much comfort in the field. I might also mention Hearing Protection, many clients start out with ear muffs that get discarded after day 1, and foam plugs which get forgotten.. So.. most hunters WILL end up with some permanent hearing loss from large bores and magnums. I keep the low cost $20-$40 Sonic Valve 11 ear plugs in my top pocket, love em. Only 5 or 6 seconds to pop them in during the final stalk, and I can still hear easily, yet the blast is stopped (also called Acu-Life ear plugs). ALL GUIDES & HUNTERS SHOULD TRY THESE, excellent for hunting. The diaphragm system blocks the blast sound wave, (but not suitable at a gun range where multiple sound waves bounce off other objects, walls, roofs etc). Specialist bullet makers like North Fork, Barnes, Swift, Nosler, Woodleigh etc, produce very tough projectiles with controlled expansion and all perfect for thick skinned game. A 375 H&H is a good caliber to practice with, and hunters can use their 375 safari rifle for general shooting of antelope, deer, wild boar etc. Again a detachable scope makes a big bore rifle very versatile, and scopes around 1x-6x or 2x-10x magnification range are most suitable for both close up and longer shots. A scope mounted on a 416 Rigby or 458 Lott must have long eye relief and be mounted forward. Have I mentioned I hate muzzle brakes on safari rifles... in fact on any rifles. Ear drum damage will happen and is permanent. Deafness is permanent. Rifle reliability and shot placement is most import, and all the above calibers will do the job, but be sure you can shoot your rifle well. Practice.

BUFFALO SHOT PLACEMENT & APPROACH We are hunting the strong and heavy 700-900kg older Buffalo bulls, which have double the mass in skin, muscle and bone structure than young water buffalo bulls or buffalo cows of 300-500kg. The brain is small, protected and moving, so ideally your first shot should be with a quality expanding bullet placed accurately to kill the animal with maximum damage to the vitals. Through the heart and lungs is best, and a shoulder taken out as-well is good. On rare occasions, tough animals can regain their footing and run, or occasionally charge. Be prepared for such circumstance with a Solid or FMJ bullet/s in your magazine, and be able to shoot accurately on running game, and achieve maximum penetration to vitals. Fire again until the Buffalo is down, and then another spine or shoulder shot to be sure. Approach with caution and hold your rifle tight with both hands, (so a horn flick doesn't send your rifle flying or your AD shot back at others), approach with butt on your shoulder, and looking over your sights. Once the Buffalo is confirmed dead, barrels up and in a safe direction.... then... all hunters are to safely clear your rifle chambers. Practice.

To Stop A Charge

STOPPING 100% A charge, it is very rare for the client, but it does happen. A Buffalo might get back up, can ambush and come from the side or behind, or just straight through heavy bush. We have heard of rare and unusual instances of african Cape Buffalo with multiple shots from 416, 458, 470 etc through the vitals, yet still coming and driven on by adrenaline. Trust me, it is the same here. If this happens to you, the only one shot placement that will STOP the charge is a brain shot (size of an orange), or a spine shot (size of a thick rope), miss that and the animal can be on top of you. On our Water Buffalo the position of the brain is exactly between the horns, whether the head is up and coming, facing you, or down to smash or hook you.. (on Cape Buffalo the brain position is slightly different). We keep a water buffalo skull in camp/s, so you can see for yourself.

SOFTS OR SOLIDS - In a bolt rifles magazine I suggest 2x Premium Softs for the hunters first one or two shots into the vitals, and then 2x Solids for the running side or rear raking shots.. or charge. The skull; our Water Buffalo bulls have flatter and much thicker solid skull bone structures than a Cape Buffalo bull which has many hollow cavities under the boss... Yes we have studied and dissected mature age skulls of both species. We have seen some cases of SP ammo skidding off an angled Water Buffalo skull, and no penetration, even close up, because of the solid bone thickness and shot angle factors. So we require our guides to use Solids for back up, final approach, and to stop a charge.!!

GUIDES - Just a finishing note on this. Chose you guide very carefully. Your guide MUST have a quality repeater or double rifle, ammo that feeds, reliability and skills to stop a Buffalo, or Banteng, or Scrub bull charge in any scenario.... trust me, it might happen to some clients, but it WILL happen to ALL of us long term guides... many times.

A very serious charge is when the animal targets you, and doesn't stop. Its survival brain wants to smash you, animals understand survival and death. The hunter may choose to use a bow or a single shot rifle or muzzle loader or six gun.... but a guide MUST have the right back up rifle, ammo and skills. We do training with our gear and have many difficult scenarios. Pointing and pulling the trigger doesnt work, it must be aimed and trigger control.. yes EVEN in a charge. You must 100% stop, the animal... with the brain shot. Many African guides have been killed because of fast animals, fast changes, poor shooting, fumbled reloading and wrong gear. Make sure your guide, has the rifle and skills to save your hide or his own.