Edition 79

Australian Hunter

Australia’s favorite hunting magazine

Australian Hunter1 min read
Australian Hunter
CEO & Chief Editor Tim Bannister Editor Thomas Cook Assistant Editor Dave Rose Art Director Mike Barr Production Coordinator & Graphic Designer Alex Heptinstall Graphic Designer Natalie Kuhlmann Webmaster Mark Fieldhouse Advertising & Promotions Karo
Australian Hunter2 min read
From the Editor
Our final edition for 2021 features Peter d’Plesse hot on the trail of a crafty wild dog, Ben Smith and family on a camping and bunny busting adventure, Gary Hall and his canine crew secure a buffalo and a bunch of boars, David Duffy tour mountainous
Australian Hunter2 min readRegional & Ethnic
Soul-warming Venison Stew
When separating venison rib fillets and rumps, I square them up and trim off the end bits before slicing into steaks. The odd-shaped end pieces of fillet and rump are too good to just mince for sausages and hamburger patties. My choice for these trim
Australian Hunter3 min read
Made in Australia
Combining leather accessories with blued steel and timber, as in a classic rifle, really rings my bell. I have for many years carried a few spare rounds on my belt in custommade leather pouches. Growing wear and tear on that gear, and the need for so
Australian Hunter5 min read
A Soggy Ambush
After prolonged bouts of wet season weather and then the COVID-19 restrictions, any plans to replenish our stock of venison had been significantly delayed. So, at the earliest opportunity, my wife Kathy and I packed our car and set off for a couple o
Australian Hunter7 min read
Victure This
It would be difficult to name a day on which I have not spent at least some time observing wildlife or its habitat. Even when I need to be in town, I drive past a paddock and will notice the trail in the wet grass where a fox has crossed or I scan fo
Australian Hunter5 min read
The Benefits Of Reloading
Whether to reload or buy factory-loaded cartridges depends on a person’s individual circumstances, attitude to hunting, what stage they are at in their hunting and other factors. If you reload, the per unit cost of ammunition, taking into account cas
Australian Hunter8 min read
The Longest Stalk
The ability to compromise helps a relationship to survive long term. It’s also a useful quality for the hunter. Things don’t always pan out the way we expect. Planning, preparation and effort may yield nothing until the unexpected happens. When the r
Australian Hunter2 min read
Sellier & Bellot ammunition
Sellier & Bellot is a Czechoslovakian company established in 1825, making it one of the world’s longest existing manufacturers of sporting and military ammunition. The company has spread its reach throughout Europe and now exports globally. Sellier &
Australian Hunter7 min read
Javelinas In The Trans-Pecos
The days were mild and very pleasant even though it was the middle of winter in the Chihuahuan Desert. I had a cardboard target in one hand, a sandbag in the other and my rifle on my shoulder, looking for a suitable place to check the zero on my scop
Australian Hunter3 min read
The Right Balance
I must state that I normally do not use a powder dispenser as such. And the reason is simple. Usually, when loading up cases in a particular calibre to test ammunition for velocity and groups there is a maximum of 10 cases. Therefore, it is not worth
Australian Hunter9 min read
Crocodile Escapades
Crocodiles are the world’s largest reptiles, some like the saltwater variety, having been recorded in modern times to 8m in length. The late Mrs Kris Pawlowski shot an 8.3m monster in the Norman River, below Karumba, in 1957. Our family were good fri
Australian Hunter3 min read
Release The Hounds
As we rounded a tight bend in the narrow track, a large dark shape caught our attention as it moved slowly through the light scrub that hugged the recently graded firebreak. The big bovine flattened a track in the head-high perennial grass, while I g
Australian Hunter5 min read
Debut Deer Feat
The sound of the birds’ pre-dawn calls and the soft cool breeze over the hilltops offered a tempting reminder to be out on the hunting trail. I was on a mission to hunt deer with my daughter and going home empty handed was not a preferred option. Hav
Australian Hunter5 min read
Seamless Stalking
About 30 years ago, I bought a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20 scope and fitted it to my .458 Winchester Magnum. After an initial sighting-in at the SSAA range, I never had to tweak that scope again. I fired more than 1000 full-powered rounds while I owned i
Australian Hunter3 min read
Fowl Call
What a crazy Victorian duck season. Firstly, a solid dose of anti-hunting bias conjured up a restrictive and miserable campaign. Then, came a COVID outbreak that either halved or finished the duck outings depending on your location, after only two da
Australian Hunter5 min read
The Outlaw
Diana have been in business for more than a century. In recent years they’ve led the charge in producing less expensive pre charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles. PCP models have a reservoir of high pressure air, rather than the familiar compression spr
Australian Hunter6 min read
Rabbits And Rugrats
My wife Emily and I had hunted various game animals during the early stages of our relationship. Fast forwarding several years brought marriage and three kids. Suddenly we struggled to go hunting together due to our commitments. I had more recently b
Australian Hunter6 min read
The Cutting Edge
A good knife is something every hunter cherishes. Most of us have more than one - there are skinning knives, gutting knives and boning knives just to name a few. But from time to time some of us think about making our own. Using a knife that you have
Australian Hunter6 min read
Outback Survival And The Hunter
There’s an old phrase that Australia rides on the sheep’s back. It’s a saying that recalls the colonial era when Europeans began to clear land to generate the pastures on which sheep flourished, wool was shorn, mutton was eaten and money was made. In
Australian Hunter1 min read
Power Up
These days we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to technology. But there are several issues that should give you pause for thought. Over-reliance on technology makes us forget the ‘old ways’. For instance, electricity and water are not good bedfello
Australian Hunter6 min read
Take it ESEE
Talk to someone who has even a modest interest in knives and they will in all likelihood have at least heard about the ESEE brand. Though primarily marketed as survival and bushcraft blades, an increasing number of hunters also use them. After seeing
Australian Hunter4 min read
The Rise And Rise Of Drones
The world of drones just keeps getting better and better. Drone size is reducing, battery power lasts much longer, range is out to kilometres and the on-board smarts are outstanding. Now, you can pick up a feature packed drone for less than $1000. My
Australian Hunter1 min readRegional & Ethnic
Relish The Flavour
Ajvar is a capsicum-based condiment originating in the Balkan Peninsula region that’s traditionally partnered with cevapi, which are like skinless sausages or skinny rissoles. • 2 large red capsicums• 1 small eggplant• 1 clove garlic, crushed• 1 tabl
Australian Hunter6 min read
Near And Deer
It was a long two years since I’d had the opportunity to hunt roaring red stags, as the drought and COVID-19 played havoc with the plans of many hunters in 2020, of which I was one. On our previous hunt we had seen a lot of immature stags, but there
Australian Hunter7 min read
Increase Those Night-time Odds
Showing my age, when I think thermal technology, I think Predator. You know, the 1987 sci-fi action movie where Arnold Schwarzenegger battles against a predatory, trophy hunting alien. With its thermal vision, there was no hiding for Arnie and the cr
Australian Hunter7 min read
What Not To Pack For An African Safari
The loud thuds of every footfall made me wince. My PH’s glance back said it all -“What the heck were you thinking wearing those boots?” I wish loud boots were the only thing I ever regretted bringing on safari… I suffered various misadventures on my
Australian Hunter2 min readRegional & Ethnic
The Campfire Combo
This is an incredibly simple recipe, perfect for the quieter periods during the day when you are on a camp hunt. Using a tripod makes regulating the temperature so much easier. • 1 tablespoon oil• 500g of venison mince• 2 cans diced tomatoes• Your ch
Australian Hunter6 min read
Return To The Fold
A little while ago, I was in town to purchase some hunting supplies. This invariably includes a trip to the local knife shop. Not because I need another knife, but it is always good to see whether something new and exciting is available. A local coun
Australian Hunter3 min read
SSAA CWM branches
SSAA WA has six individual branches that undertake Conservation & Wildlife Management activities throughout the state. All participants must be full members of SSAA WA. Prior to taking part in sanctioned field activities, members must complete accura
Australian Hunter1 min read
Enter And Win
Simply write your full name, address and contact number on a piece of paper and place it inside an envelope and send to: (Name of competition) Australian Hunter 79 PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061 Competitions close February 28, 2022. Check out ssaa.org.a
Australian Hunter2 min read
Christmas Special
Scan for more The SSAA Ladies Polo has a feminine styled ‘V’ neck with contrasting piping panels. The easy care fabric is 160gm 100% DriWear polyester with moisture removal and mini-waffle knit. Wear the SSAA logo with pride! The polos comes is sizes
Australian Hunter3 min read
Around The Campfire With John Denman
Of all the animals we hunt, there is a sliding scale of those we detest the most. This probably comes from how the individual beast affects our senses; how we judge the consequences an animal has on our lives and obviously livelihoods. To many, wild

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