Giant Javan Rusa Stags

We have been conducting fully guided hunts for giant Javan Rusa Stags in New Caledonia since 1983. We have re-written the record book on three separate occasions during that period. Craig Boddington has written that he believes that this is without doubt, “the best wild and free deer hunt in the world today”…. and we agree. New Caledonia is a tropical island in the South Pacific, some 2.5 hours flight north east of Brisbane, Australia. The island can be accessed by flights from Los Angeles via Auckland in New Zealand, or via Sydney or Brisbane in Australia.

The arrival and departure point is Tontouta airport, where you will be met by a Hunt Australia representative and driven to the hunting, area – a private ranch near Bouraille – 1 ½ hours drive from the airport. Our guests are accommodated in new, private, self-contained villas, over-looking the beautiful Coral Sea. We call this ‘roughing-it’ ….. with class! Most of the hunting is within 20 minutes drive of the villas and much of it is right there at the neighbouring properties. On still nights you can hear the stags roaring in the hills right around the villas. Meals are prepared each night at the villas by Hunt Australia staff

Hunting is conducted early in the morning and late afternoon. We depart the accommodation by vehicle each morning, before daybreak and then return to the villas for lunch and relaxation, before the afternoon action. We hunt by walking and stalking the roaring stags and glassing the rolling terrain from a good vantage point. We suggest that 5 full-days hunting will be sufficient to secure an excellent trophy.

Hunting Season

We hunt only during the rut or bugle period when the big stags are with the females and roar loudly like lions in the distance. This is in between early July and the end of August.

Recommended Equipment & Clothing

We recommend a minimum of 270W caliber, however an accurate 7-MM mag or 300 mag are my personal choices. There are occasional long shots and these rutting stags are quite mad and very difficult to put down. They are roughly the body size of mule deer. Military calibers (308 and 30-06) are prohibited. Good binoculars are essential. Long dark pattern lightweight cotton camouflage clothing, with lightweight vibram soled boots, are the most suitable hunting gear. A camouflage wide brim hat is also desirable to keep the tropical sun at bay when it is up.

2009 Javan Rusa Hunt Pricing - ***note 2009 price reduction***
5-day Javan Rusa Deer Hunt  1x1 $5,000   2x1 $4,000  
Javan Rusa Deer Trophy Fee - each - No limit $1,500  $1,500  
Total Hunt Cost (per hunter) 1x1 $6,500   2x1 $5,500  

Included in Hunt Cost

 Transfers between Tontouta Airport and Hotel
 Transport, Accommodation & Meals during hunt
 Trophy Preparation
 Firearms Import Permit OR Rifle Hire
 Ammunition
Not Included in Hunt Cost

 Additional Javan Rusa Deer Trophy Fee @ $1,500 each (if taken)
 Non-Hunting Companions @ $250 per person per day (if required)
 Alcoholic Beverages

Axis Deer

Axis Deer are available completely wild and free year-round in North Queensland. We have several private working cattle ranches that have herds of wild and free Axis Deer. These ranches are accessible by road from Townsville on the coast in North Queensland. There are daily commercial flight connections with all Australian capital cities.

Your Australian guide will meet you in Townsville and drive you to the best selected hunting area for your hunt. The accommodation is in either ranch houses or guest cabins. Meals are family style, usually with the farmer and family. Hunting is by driving 4WD tracks on the property to known selected hunting areas, then by stalking on foot. Your guide will return you to Townsville following completion of your hunt.  Hunting is for three days.Hunting is good year-round, but best from February through June.

Recommended Equipment & Clothing
We recommend a scoped 270W, 7mm or 300 Mag to be suitable calibers for this hunt.

The weather in this area is generally tropical with warm sunny days and cool to cold nights. Clothing should be lightweight dark-colored camouflage cotton with lightweight boots. A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are also suggested.

2009 Axis Deer Hunt Pricing

1x1 3-day Wild & Free Axis Deer Hunt (per hunter) $2,400

Included in Hunt Cost
 Road transport Townsville/Hunting Area/Townsville
 Accommodation and meals
 Field preparation of trophies
Not Included in Hunt Cost
 Axis Deer Trophy Fee @ $1,500 each
 Firearms/Ammunition Import License and Dangerous Goods Permits @ $165

Note: Axis deer can also be hunted in various game ranches throughout Australia.

Hog Deer

Hog Deer are one of the most beautiful, diminutive and sought-after species of Asian deer and are available wild and free here in Victoria Australia. Hunt Australia has a local guide who has lived with the Hog Deer and Sambar Deer (also available wild and free) all of his life.  Your guide will meet you at Melbourne airport on arrival and transport you by road to the private unfenced working cattle ranch hunting area. Accommodation is in the farmer’s house on the property. Meals are with the farmer’s family. Hunting is strictly by stalking and utilizing fixed high seats as hog deer are sensitive to people, new smells, vehicle movement or changes to their environment. Your guide will return you to Melbourne following the completion of your hunt.  This hunt is for 5 days. The wild and free Hog Deer season in Victoria is during the month of April ONLY.

Recommended Equipment & Clothing
Typical Deer hunting calibres are suitable. We recommend scoped 270W, 7mm up to 300 Mag. Nights are cold with daytime temperatures varying widely between warm to very cold with high winds and rain. We recommend lightweight dark cotton camouflage clothing with a light jacket, comfortable walking boots and good quality binoculars.

2009 Hog Deer Hunt Pricing
1x1 5-day Wild & Free Hog Deer Hunt (per hunter) $3,300

Included in Hunt Cost
 Road transport Melbourne/Hunting Area/Melbourne
 Accommodation and meals
 Field preparation of trophies
Not Included in Hunt Cost
 Hog Deer Trophy Fee @ $3,500 each
 Firearms/Ammunition Import, Game License and Dangerous Goods Permits @ $165

Note: Hog deer can also be hunted in various game ranches throughout Australia outside of the April period.

Free Ranging Sambar Deer

Sambar Deer can be hunted most successfully in Australia in the state of Victoria. Hunt Australia has access to vast areas of Victoria’s high country, which is the home of the elusive Sambar Deer. Sambar are relatively abundant, however are extremely difficult to hunt due to their habitat, nocturnal nature and social habits. Sambar are big deer, weighing between 500 and 700 pounds for a mature stag. Hunting methods vary greatly. Hunting practices include daylong stalking, pre-daybreak stalking, sitting in prepared hides, driving 4WD tracks looking for sign, then foot stalking. The areas hunted vary between rolling farmland and steep wooded mountains.

Your guide will meet you at Melbourne airport and transport you by road to the hunting area. Accommodation will vary between cattle ranch homesteads, farm cottages, motels or cabins, depending on just where you are hunting at the time. Meals will be home style with occasional restaurants or cabin cooking.The sambar deer hunting season is open all year. There are no bag limits. You can take more than one sambar by arrangement with the guide, following the taking of your first stag. Best time to hunt is May/June and August to October.

Recommended Equipment & Clothing
Sambar Deer require the use of heavy caliber rifles, minimum of 7mm recommended, however a .338 is a better choice for these big and notoriously tough deer. A low power scope is highly desirable. Weather conditions vary greatly from hot and dry conditions to high country snowy days. Clothing should be all wool with good quality rain gear and good quality high country boots with vibram soles. Expect high country fall conditions. Good binoculars are essential.

2009 Sambar Deer Hunt Pricing

1x1 10-day Wild & Free Sambar Deer Hunt (per hunter) $5,900

Included in Hunt Cost
 Road transport Melbourne/Hunting Area/Melbourne
 Accommodation and meals
 Field preparation of trophy
Not Included in Hunt Cost
 Sambar Trophy Fee - $1,800 (if taken)
 Firearms/Ammunition Import, Game License and Dangerous Goods Permits @ $165

Note: Sambar deer can also be hunted in New Zealand and in various game ranches throughout Australia. Please ask if you require further information on Hunt Australia’s New Zealand or game ranch hunts.

Payment Terms and Conditions

For all Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia safaris the following conditions apply.

 $1,000 Holding Deposit required in 2008 to confirm initial 2009 hunt dates
 Full 50% of Hunt Cost (per hunter) required to confirm 2009 booking
 Final 50% of Hunt Cost (per hunter) required 60 days prior to hunt commencement date
 Any additional costs incurred to be collected in camp upon completion of hunt by cash or travellers cheque. (Visa, MasterCard also accepted)
 All participants must complete a Hunt Booking and Indemnity Form

Cancellation Policy
 Holding Deposit is non refundable, but may be transferred to future hunts
 Full refund less 50% of Hunt Cost if cancellation is received 3 months prior to hunt commencement date ( including Holding Deposit)
 There will be no refund if cancellation is received within 3 months prior to hunt commencement date
 100% of Hunt Cost can be transferred to following year if notification is received within 3 months prior to hunt commencement date
 We will endeavour to find replacement dates if possible