Any WA or ID hunters interested in Australian swap hunts??

[Hunta270]

G'day from Australia!

I've been invited to stay with a friend in Spokane whenever I want so thought its time I planned my first (hopefully of many) international hunt!

My goal is to hunt whitetail/mule deer, elk and bear. I most likely would hunt with rifle but may bring my bow too.

I may already have a solid contact for the colville area but feel there's nothing wrong with having options..

If anyone feels they may be able to help me out I have plenty of species over here in Aus that we can hunt should anyone be interested in coming over..

I have access to Fallow deer, Red Deer, and even the mighty Sambar deer! There's also countless feral goats, foxes, cats, rabbits and hares and pest birds to keep us busy too:) the best part is THERE ARE NO SEASONS and we can hunt anything 365 days a year!!

Even if not interested in swap hunts, I would love any info to help me out while I'm over there.. I'm completely foreign to many of the methods used over there- treestands, baiting, scents etc and would love to learn.

Thanks in advance

[huntnphool]

Welcome to the site.

[carpsniperg2]

Welcome to the site. You should throw up some pic's of your critters. Always love to see some critters from the south pacific! I have spent a lot of time in new Zealand but have thought about spending some time in Australia.

[Bean Counter]

  Welcome aboard.. and +1 for pics! 

[Hunta270]

This is a few from this year.. Little fallow buck, Rubar (Rusa/sambar cross), nice eater fallow doe and a couple goats..

There's many more but they're all saved on USB and these are from my phone.

2015 is gonna be a huge year for me.. Just got access to a property that borders a 400sq mile game ranch with 8-9 species of deer getting through and over the fence: red, Rusa, sambar, chital (axis), fallow, hog, elk/wapiti, red/wapiti cross!! Went there three days ago and saw approx 80deer.. Five different species.

[bearpaw]

Is the game ranch you are talking about Water Valley? Four of us hunted there for a week and had an absolute blast, that place is so big we never made it to all parts of the ranch. There were a ton of animals on that place.

[irishevox]

that's really cool love seeing the game I might be over to Australia in the near future if I get out there I will send you a pm

[lokidog]

Nice animals!

[Hunta270]

Yeh it is water valley. Bloody huge!!! Driving past and see 230" fallow gets the blood going!!

[benhuntin]

I wanna go!


If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[big J]

If you are interested in some offshore fishing we could work something out. Halibut,lingcod,seabass,salmon and tuna which you get better ones there. I make 15 to 20 offshore trips a year with my boat and always willing to take a newb. Can post some porn if you wanna see our catches. I like to trade and meet new people

[Kazekurt]

What does it cost to hunt in Australia?  I'm not talking airfare, just liscense and tag fees.  Welcome to the site!

[bowhunterwa87]

Let's see it big j

[Hunta270]

No seasons in most states, no tags for most deer and hog deer tags are free (they just use tags to monitor numbers as they are one of very few if any other hunt able populations in world). Hunting permits are approx $30aus. Basically zero cost to hunt here.

[carpsniperg2]

Some great critters. Congrats

[Cap.Silver]

Damn, I'm moving 

[Mark Brenckle]

Kangaroos? A lifesize mount would be awesome!   

[Hunta270]

Funnily enough we aren't allowed to hunt them recreationally.. We can however get destruction permits to assist farmers but all shot animals are to be left where they fall.. A shame really because they have great skins.. Incredibly soft fur.  I could probably get you on a property where you could shoot some but photos would be the only trophies you could take..

[bobcat]

Why would they let the kangaroo meat be wasted? That makes absolutely no sense.

[Hunta270]

When professional too shooters harvest them, they take the meat and sometimes the skins. We aren't allowed to though although many do as its bloody delicious. Or we split them open and drag them along the track and spotlight along where you dragged them to shoot foxes, dogs and cats.

[h2ofowlr]

Sounds like a fun hunt.  Be a lot less expensive than New Zealand it sounds like.

[bearpaw]

Sounds like a fun hunt.  Be a lot less expensive than New Zealand it sounds like.

You can hunt very inexpensively in NZ too, most animals are available for free if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn where to go and hunt them free range. You can rent a SUV and tour the country at your own pace, just don't forget that you are driving on the opposite side of the road. 

The commercial "safari parks" as they are locally called have bigger trophies and quicker success on most species, that's the NZ hunting that most Americans hear about. Most locals hunt free range animals for free and visitors can too.

Neither AU or NZ have seasons or bag limits on most animals. But, many animals are very wary since they get hunted year around. NZ welcomes hunters and has a cop shop right by baggage claim where you get your gun license and can then take your weapon throughout the country without hassle. One thing about AU, it's a hassle to import guns, it's much easier to go there with someone who lives there like Hunta270 and use their weapons. Another thing I remember about AU is that one or two states were more strict about hunting and weapons laws, I don't remember specifically, but it's easy to do your research before going so you have no problems.

AU was friendly about archery equipment the last time I went, we sailed right through the customs area. I have been thinking of going on another archery hunt to AU in the next few years. I have a few friends who have various hunting opportunities available in AU. I might have to work out a swap with Hunta270 and visit him too. You can never have too many friends! I have found these overseas trips to be even more fun when going and visiting and hunting with friends.

I have found the people in both countries to be very friendly and helpful, even in the large cities in NZ you can talk hunting. When in the large cities in AU we did not advertise that we were hunters and people were friendly, but in the small towns guns and hunting are very accepted so we talked hunting with the local people often. Did I explain that correctly Hunta270?

[Hunta270]

Hit the nail on the head mate.

Our gun laws are quite strict but unless you plan on deer hunting with Uzi you'll be ok haha!!!
Pump and bolt action rifles only here and only NZ are supressors allowed. Both Aus and NZs game animals are ALL introduced. Infact NZ I believe, had zero land mammals prior to white settlement.

Most of the monster reds you see coming out of NZ are like you said, from estates and game parks. We have some cracker animals over here free range though and as long as you can get property access you can put tourseld in with a chance at some really nice trophies.. Often of multiple species too.

While you can hunt most deer species on public land in some states, its the sambar of Victoria that offer the chance at some absolute beasts! Last few years we've been seeing 34-36" heads coming quite regularly and many records have been broken..

[dmv9]

That Rubar  is awesome looking!

[Hunta270]

Cheers buddy! He was very pretty.

[bearpaw]

Wow, those are some huge sambar. 

[gaddy]

Australia has always been my bucket list item, even if i could not hunt. really cant help you though and don't think ill ever fill that bucket.

[big J]

Let's see it big j

Here ya go

[big J]

If I could figure videos from my phone I could post one or two. Anyways hundreds more pics and to be honest I would trade fishing for some eastern hunt or land never got a whitetail big enough to tell it's one. got some nice Blackies and mulies but want a decent whity

[bowhunterwa87]

That's rad. Tuna and halibut are on my bucket list. Looks like you guys had a ton of fun

[Hunta270]

Nice Albies there mate! I cut plenty of them everyday:) I'm a fish filleter by trade.

[big J]

That's rad. Tuna and halibut are on my bucket list. Looks like you guys had a ton of fun

Always do tuna is an addiction fast and furious while your catchin and alot of work at the dock before and after.

[big J]

Nice Albies there mate! I cut plenty of them everyday:) I'm a fish filleter by trade.

Shoot professional filleter you are hired no trade just come fish. You can probably cark  60 albies quicker then the whole crew combined.

[Hunta270]

Hahaha I could give it a crack... Chicken of the sea the old albacore.. Would live to catch salmon and halibut though.. Any pike in WA rivers/lakes?? They look awesome

[lokidog]

Hahaha I could give it a crack... Chicken of the sea the old albacore.. Would live to catch salmon and halibut though.. Any pike in WA rivers/lakes?? They look awesome

There are some over in eastern wa and idaho, they've been introduced to the chagrin of many trout/salmon fishermen.

[Hunta270]

Will definitely get some fishing done while I'm over there, sounds really good.

Thanks so much everyone for some really positive replies. Can't wait to get over there!!

Sounds like the deer might be in trouble over here if you guys get over here too haha

[idaho guy]

Hahaha I could give it a crack... Chicken of the sea the old albacore.. Would live to catch salmon and halibut though.. Any pike in WA rivers/lakes?? They look awesome

there are tons of pike in north idaho-most lakes have some pike and others a whole bunch   

[Hunta270]

Really keen to get over to idaho too. Definitely 2016 but also hopefully next year. So desperately keen on a wolf hunt!! Plus bears over bait would be awesome.. Oh and can't forget mulies and elk haha!! In 2016 I'm hoping to DIY hunt washington and do a guided hunt in idaho for elk wolf bear and deer

[Hunta270]

Just got another little block yesterday. Fallow come right up to his house and the owners had enough.. Two minute walk not even being quiet and just talking normally and got within 50yd of a big doe.. Should be perfect for the bow