l e w i s r e i d

Banteng were introduced into the north of Australia in about 1849 as a source of protein for a military outpost on Cobourg Peninsula. Only a year after the establishment of the remote settlement, it was abandoned because conditions were too tough and the banteng were left to roam free.

A hunter’s first sight of a banteng in the wild is something they never forget. They are truly a striking animal. The sleek coat on female banteng is a beautiful chestnut colour whilst the bulls are dark brown, almost black in colour. Both males and females have unusual white sock markings on all of their lower legs. Whilst the horns on females are usually short and curved in at the tops, mature bulls are adorned with highly impressive shiny black horns tapering out and upwards to sharp pointed tips. Connecting both horns on the bull’s forehead is a bald horn-like patch.

Hunting banteng is a unique and rewarding experience, they are an extremely wary animal and hence to be successful, one will need to display plenty of stealth and patience. Because conditions are often stifling hot and the undergrowth tinder dry, stalking is very difficult. A mature banteng bull makes a magnificent trophy.