Your first ten african animals

by: Scott Carroll

 

If you talk to hunters traveling to Africa for the first time, most of them have a list of animals they would like to take while they are there. For the most part, the lists are very much the same (with the exception of one or two animals) and for good reason. Most hunters going to Africa have done their homework. They know the characteristics of each animal, as well as what constitutes a real trophy in each animal. Most hunters want to shoot big body animals with big horns. Well, Africa has plenty of these, but some of the deer-sized animals should not be overlooked. The following is a list of my top ten African animals:

 

Kudu

Perhaps no other animal grabs the attention of hunters more than the Gray Ghost of Africa. Take one look at these majestic animals and you will see why. The way they move through the thick brush, carrying those long, corkscrew-shaped horns with such ease, has many hunters dreaming of the day when they can have a much closer look. A good bull will be over 50 inches, and if you have picked the right Professional Hunter (PH), you should have no problem bringing one home— if you can shoot straight. The best countries in which to hunt Kudu are South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Zebra

No other animal symbolizes Africa more than the zebra. It is one of the toughest animals in all of Africa to hunt. If you get an old stallion on your first trip over, consider yourself lucky (I would). A good zebra will be an older stallion with no bite marks (and I prefer no shadow stripes). For first timers, the best country to hunt zebra in is South Africa.

 

 

Warthog

Ugly? Yes! And for a long time, I didn´t want one hanging in my house. Well, how times have changed. Big tusks can do that to most hunters, and now warthogs are one of my favorite animals to hunt. Always good for a laugh, they also make for a challenging hunt. Make a good shot here or you won´t recover this pig. If given the chance to put a second arrow in one, do it. A good boar will be 15 inches plus, but don&t hold out for that. Take the first one that gets you excited and gives you a good broadside or quartering away shoot. For first timers, the best countries for hunting warthog is South Africa, but Zambia and Zimbabwe have good pigs too.

 

 

Waterbuck

The waterbuck is another large-bodied antelope with horns that go up and curve forward. They will come to water, and are found near water (hence the name). Their defense system (other than those long horns) is the taste of the meat. Waterbuck are low on a lion´s and leopard´s list of things to eat. They have a musky smell to them, causing only the hungriest of loins and leopards to take a bite. I place this animal low on the list, only because of taste and price. Waterbuck are not as common as other antelope; therefore, the price is going to be a bit higher. Don´t look to take him home on your first trip. A good one will be around 26 inches. The best country in which to hunt waterbuck is South Africa.

 

Gemsbok (Oryx)

You want a big animal with lots of horns? Look no further than the gemsbok. They travel in herds and prefer semi-open areas. Be careful if you should you wound one, as a wounded gemsbok will come after you, if cornered. And with a good bull carrying long, straight horns in excess of 34 inches, look out! While both sexes carry horns, the horns of the females are longer and thinner. The best countries to hunt gemsbok are Namibia and South Africa.

 

 

Impala

Although smaller than our whitetail, once you see an impala, you will want one. With their chestnut, shorthaired coat and long, curving horns, they make a wonderful mount. They need to drink daily, so waterhole hunting can pay off big. A good male will be over 20 inches and in most areas, you can shoot two, so hold out for a 23-inch plus for your second. Both impala and springbok can duck even the fastest of bows, so hold low, right up the front leg. The best countries for hunting impala are Zimbabwe and South Africa.

 

 

Eland

Now, the eland is the biggest antelope in Africa, and the only reason he is at number seven is because you may want a little heavier setup than just your average whitetail rig. While you will have no problem with any of the other plains game Africa has to offer, eland can be a problem. However, bringing one down can be done with good shot placement. If given the chance at a broadside eland, inside 35 yards, I would take the shot— if it felt good. Look for a good bull to be at least 30 inches. Cows also carry horns, but again, are much thinner than bulls. I would have to say that the best countries for eland is South Africa, even though I took a 34-inch in Zimbabwe.

 

Springbok

At under 100 pounds, the springbok still makes the list, and not just for the beauty in its coat and its heart-shaped horns, but also as table fare. Don´t pass on a springbok, if for nothing other than the chance to taste it. In my opinion, it is the best venison you will find anywhere. Don´t shoot anything under 13 inches; in good areas like Namibia, you can take them over 16 inches. Again, aim low. Females also have horns, but are thinner. The best countries for springbok are Namibia (for size) and South Africa (for all color phases— common, black, white and copper).

 

 

Blue Wildebeast

This animal is sometimes referred to as "the poor man´s buffalo", and when wounded, you may find out it´s not just because they look similar! If given the chance, a large bull will come after you. Make a bad shot here, and they will show you the brush country. A mature bull will have a solid black face and horns outside the ears. A good one will be an inch or more outside the ears. Both sexes have horns, but the female´s horns will be much smaller and inside the ears, and it will lack the jet black face. The best countries for blue wildebeest are Namibia and South Africa.

 

Nyala

This may be the prettiest antelope in all of Africa, and a must to full body mount. About the size of a female kudu (200lbs) and similar in the face, the nyala has the stripes of a kudu on its side and face, long rust-colored chaps down its legs, and a long main. Its horns are spiraled and go up and twist out on larger bulls. I place this animal on the list, at number ten, only because of price. For the price of a nyala, a hunter could take three other animals, and most first timers would (and should) do just that. Leave him for a later trip, but he must be on your list. The best country for nyala is, without question, South Africa.