Australian Hunter

We’ve packed in a heap of stories to keep you entertained over summer. Aussie game extends to waterfowl, rabbits, foxes, boars, bucks, billies, buffs and even barra to highlight the camaraderie connected to hunting, particularly when family are involved. And on top of considerable deer hunts, we explore the realm of wandering sambar. Heading overseas, an elk bull of a lifetime will have you considering New Zealand for that dream hunt, while a fascinating account of the Tsavo man-eating lions takes us back to a captivating time in South Africa. To maximise hunting, we feature the considerable logistics for Outback missions, eye protection, animal signs to watch out for, D.I.Y. camo gear and a portable rocket stove for camp, plus harvesting pointers to take things to another level. On that note, we offer a trio of game recipes for magpie goose, hare and venison even the novice chef can delight with. Further mixing things up, our insights into gear cover stealthy hunting on an e-bike, the Browning B25 shotgun and .470 Capstick, a revolutionary blood tracking torch, boots for the bush, various knife options, a Leupold scope on a lever gun and the little ‘bullet’ that could in the .17HMR. Don’t miss our ‘Xmas Wish List’ because all subscribers are automatically in the draw to win!

Australian Hunter 91  is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order digitally for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

Inside this edition the pests and game extend to rabbits, wild dogs, goats, boars, bucks and bantengs. Our epic guided hunt for bantengs, or ‘tembadau’, takes us deep into Garig Gunak National Park in the Northern Territory. Although a feral pest, this reclusive bovine supported a majestic and challenging hunt on the Cobourg Peninsula. From the bush to the beach, we step foot on truly uninhabited land for a unique expedition, including intriguing encounters with the wild Timor ponies shadowing parts of the journey. And while Australia offers fantastic hunting opportunities like the tembadau, there are also exciting prospects abroad. However, there’s a lot more to consider for a trip. From paperwork to packing and participation, we provide a ‘game plan’ for that overseas hunt you’ve always dreamed about, backing it up with a longed-for elk hunt in British Columbia on horseback! Accompanying our diverse hunting stories, we cover culling animals, whether native or feral, and being equipped as a first responder in bush emergencies. Furthermore, we test-run advanced handheld UHF CB radios from GME, to keep communication ‘alive’ out hunting, and feature a range of rifles, scopes, ammo and other useful gear, plus tasty recipes for rabbit and venison. With our 90th edition doubling the prizes, there’s plenty of awesome kit up for grabs!

Australian Hunter 90  is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order digitally for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

We’ve got plenty of pig and deer action in this edition. The roar provides a major highlight and our array of unique hunts, including by bow and arrow, explore what leads to success and what doesn’t while we capitalise on the game meat to dish up unique culinary options. There’s also plenty of international flair with our rewarding Namibian adventure, visit to the Taramundi Knife Museum in Spain and time well spent at the nine-day blockbuster 2024 Great American Outdoor Show. Our cover story is an intriguing read, pitting one man versus a lone wild dog in the expansive Outback. See who wins – hunter or predator. Furthermore, we target pests and medium game, offer advice for the handloader, ponder hunting on game reserves here on home soil and deplore shooters and hunters being unfairly targeted in the NT. There are numerous useful products featured, from rifles and knives to an ever-reliable digital hunting partner. To help with that all-important edgeware decision we illustrate exactly what makes up a knife, focusing on ideal skinning blades. And with the cold weather, it’s scientifically proven that ‘winter blues’ can set in. To help you come out the other end with sustainable mental and physical health we’ve put together a heap of encouragement to get out there and hunt.

Australian Hunter 89  is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order digitally for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

Action in the field sees thrilling environmental achievements in South Africa with big cats and more to feisty feral cats in the Aussie Outback. Along with the deer, pigs, buffaloes, foxes, rabbits and fish we’ve got more hunting than you can shake a shooting stick at. See the ultimate way a family ushered in 2024 along with some firsts for one of the newest little members of our hunting fraternity and a thrilling 24hrs where we turn a deer into a pack and cart it out Kiwi-style. A great mix of reviews include the composite Burris Eliminator 5 riflescope and Mauser M98 rifle. With ammunition, we target calibre case conversion, testing loads, the world of wildcats and a simple trick for keeping track of ammo. In a feature article we pair nutritious and tasty game meat with the perfect wine, providing a fantastic opportunity to showcase hunting among family and friends. Tastebuds will be tingling as we also offer a couple of easy-to-make venison dishes and a wholesome buffalo meat pie. Furthermore, discover why making some minor modifications to your rifle barrels can make a big difference, witness the resurrection of a small-town gunshop and create your own unique wall hangings and pieces of art from animal skulls – see our demonstration on SSAA TV.

Australian Hunter 88 is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order in digital for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

When things are winding down for the year, one thing to look forward to is Xmas. In what will surely see hunting further encouraged, we cure and smoke a leg of venison that will have the whole family chirping “that’s all folks” for Porky Pig from now on… Xmas in July (too) anyone? Furthermore, we’ve stacked more stories inside this edition than Santa has toys in his sack. Brimming with rifles, ammo, knives and other reviews, further recipes, game genetics, field tips and hunting stories on pigs, buffs, ducks, fish, deer and dogs, there’s certainly something for everyone. The global history of hog hunting is a fascinating read and our comprehensive guide on how to tan a hide should result in some new floor coverings. Don’t miss our wild dog hunts across two hemispheres or rifle appraisals on a rare Rigby .308 that’s over 100 years old but still in use for hunting and a Heym 89B double that sets itself apart from the rest for big game. Gain every advantage in the bush by checking out the SSAA TV video that bolsters our field signaling guide inside this edition. Together, they will surely help you form the basis for silent communication within your hunting party – the animals won’t know what hit them!

Australian Hunter 87 is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order in digital for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

We take the harvesting of hard-earned game to a new level with a handy how-to, the right tools for the job and two tantalising venison recipes that offer a fresh perspective to it all. Make the most of things with our American-style ribs and the hunters’ version of an Aussie pub favourite involving juicy yabbies. To complete our guide on hunting reds, we look at their three main survival senses that give them an edge versus hunters, and on top of further deer hunting adventures, we nail pigs and a buff, prepare you to take out summertime foxes and dispel the misinformation that’s spread about duck hunting putting species numbers at risk. We hunt with a duo of rifles from different periods in the Bergara BMR .17 and Sportco Model 62A .22LR. We also wax lyrical about that all-rounder rifle/cartridge to cover the full hunting repertoire and along with ammo, knives and boots for a hunt, we provide a comprehensive rundown on an attainable thermal sight that’s complemented by a SSAA TV video. We also cover how to approach landowners to hunt on their property, cartridge case tools, being mindful of snakes when hunting, annealing for accuracy, guns of the bushranger era and when to refurbish your rifle… and when not to!

Australian Hunter 86 is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order in digital for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

We concentrate on the ‘hilar’ zone for a clean one-shot kill in Part 3 of our red deer hunting guide and illustrate exactly where you want to hit, no matter the angle. We also expand on why ‘patience’ is the most powerful tool hunters can possess and along with the right boots, binos, blades, ammo and vehicle, the necessities for the avid hunter heading bush and more are all here. Of course, you’ll have your preferred rifle/s sighted-in and ready to go in the correct calibre before setting off in Australia’s vast terrain and conditions. Bolt-actions are the most accurate rifles and a Kipplauf perhaps the most carry-able, so we present both. The roar and other hunting featured like feral pigs, wild dogs and wallabies unambiguously bring people closer to nature. Ventures see us land that first deer, sought after trophy and memento, experience the outdoors with good hunting mates, introduce someone to hunting and ensure safe and effective firearms and hunting ethos are practised with the younger generation. All of these are the ultimate reward. If after game meat, there is the added bounty of providing clean, nutritious protein for the family. We procure our fair share of chevon, including that from the delectable Boer goat, along with fresh and tasty venison.

Australian Hunter 85 is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order in digital for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.

The yearly roar offers the opportunity to be out there in nature, enjoying the challenge for tasty venison and impressive trophies. It’s the ideal time to hunt and Don Caswell provides key behavioural insights in Part 2 of our red deer hunting guide. And no matter what your thoughts are on the various game in Australia or your reason for hunting, we have plenty to choose from, whether for conservation, trophies or meat. Sam Garro examines what we hunt and for better or worse, why we really are lucky. Post the COVID pandemonium Mike Arnold experienced a series of fortunate events in Africa. He offers worldwide food for thought on the hunting opportunities provided after a significant break. And with the tumultuous times many of us have faced, Perry Magowan and Mick Chapman dig deep to reinforce what matters the most in life, with a pertinent reminder to honour each hunt. With pigs, goats, firearms, ammo, knives and other reviews and advice plus our delicious venison and duck recipes wrapping things up, there’s plenty to keep you fulfilled. Don’t miss our comprehensive field testing of the affordable Kahles Helia 2-10x50i riflescope, which advances straight to the ‘top of the glass’ as a quality European optics go-to.

Australian Hunter 84 is available for mobile, tablet and desktop devices through Zinio. Order in digital for whatever device suits you best so you can enjoy your favourite hunting magazine wherever you go! Alternatively, you can subscribe in print.