Sinking the Ships of the Desert - Hunting Camel in the Australian Outback

Camels are a huge feral animal problem in the Australian Outback. Over the last 18 months I have made three trips 1,700km (one way) to shoot these destructive beasts.

The last trip I had along a number of mates and two poms who I had met over the internet. It was a great example of how we can share our love of hunting.

Here are some photos for your edification.

Glassing the outback. Very similar to areas of the Karoo.


Largest bull shot. .264WM and Woodleigh 140 PPSN's.


7x57 and 175 Woodleigh PPSN


8x57 ex-mil mauser and Hornady 170 RNSP



Large Herd Bull with 7mmRM and Woodleigh 160 PPSN.


Lone older bull neck shot with .243 and Sierra 100 SptBt.


Young male shoulder, then head shot at 110 paces with 9.3x62 and express sights. Woodleigh 286 RNSP.


Remote Waterhole

Thanks for sharing this.
Sure does look like the Karoo.

Great results.

Are they really wild? ie. spooky, skittish. Long shots?

What is the duration of these adventures into the Outback?

Looks like you could get a little bird shooting in while your at it.

The Poms


Couple of Feral pigs. .300WSM and 165 Woodleigh PPSN


Enjoying the sunset (or something). Having a good time anyway.....


350Rem Mag and 225 Woodleigh


.416 Rigby and 400 Woodleigh


Sleeping in after the sun rises. Tsk tsk.


Searching old creek bed for pigs.


A Pom and his camel. 7x57 and 173 H-Mantle


End of a good hunt.

Shooting was from 25 to 300 metres.
Bird shooting is not legal where we hunted however a SxS 12g did make an appearance. The Poms had uber skills post Pheasant shooting in the UK.
Wild camels are very inquisitive and will often walk a few steps away and then turn to look at you, presenting a perfect broadside shot. Shot-up camels will just run off.
Because of the distance required to get there (two days drive) I try to stay a week. Any longer and you have to go to town (150km away) for fresh food supplies.

Sleeping rough.. No 5* lodges out there.

An occasional libation
Sounds like way too much fun.

One day,

as brickburn says looks like fun, and an interesting array of rifles and calibres.

Where's the crystal and linen service for dinner, the Chef and staff, tiled showers with hot water, a proper porcelain throne?
OH wait this is down under, they are the forgotten colonies after all. I think I remember that the Mother country sent some nair-do-wells down there for some transgressions of proper decorum at one time a century or two ago. :-) :-)
Camel hunting, now that sounds like fun. Giving Miss Piggy a dirt nap is also fun (even over here). The South Pacific and Australia is the only area of the world I haven't been to yet but it is on the bucket list. Great fun reading about your hunts there!

What a unique experience, thanks for sharing Code4!

Here's the 'throne'


.. and the the closest we got one night linen service


Luckily the Poms didn't smell too bad. They took the 'stick' in good humour too. Utter Gentlemen and welcome back anytime.

Code4 that looks like a great time.

Great camaraderie !

Makes me wanna do it, I do have family there... hmmmmm,,,,,, feel a visit comin on!!!

My best always

Nice write up and pics.

Thanks for taking the time to put it all together.

any recipes for them thar camels?

Great wright up and pics thanks for sharing.