New World Record Book Nyala?

New World Record Book Nyala?
Recently a record Nyala was shot on a property near Klerksdorp. The animal sports horns of 33 3/8inch horns. Spectacular by any means. But the following article could not help me from wondering. In the September issue of Game and Hunt there is an article written by the very well known PH Flack. He describes the property on which the animal was taken and how the animal was ‘auctioned’ of for what is thought to be R50000 ($6600). The question that arises from this hunt is that can it be considered a valid entry into the record books? What an outlandish question you may think but consider the following. The animal was hunted on a 130ha property. I will reframe from using the term ‘farm’ but this is my opinion. The property has about 50 to 60 Nyala. Except for the Nyala there are a undisclosed amount of springbuck, impala, steenbok, duiker and two giraffe’s!. Again only my opinion and experience that an area of that size is not nearly enough to sustain that volume of game. So with last said it could be seen on the photos that additional feeding is supplied. Also the owner talks about this bull Nyala also to be very tame, so tame that it could almost be caught by hand.
So at this point I still felt that this animal must be recorded for it is spectacular. I would have preferred this animal to be sold off at live auctions for the benefit of breeding for I am a game breeder myself. But the following by Rowland Ward derailed my way of thought completely and I quote: Rowland Ward code of conduct requires that NO creature be hunted for sport in an enclosed area of such size that such creature is not self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency includes the ability of the animal to exercise its natural inclination to escape from the hunter as well as catering for all its basis needs, such as water, food, shelter and breeding.
I feel still the animal had more chance to elude the hunter on the 130ha with reasonable cover than a Blesbuck on 400ha of grassland. But for the other basic requirements I feel the hunt might as well have taken place in the local zoo. The mind ponders...

Andries, I agree 100 percent with you. But an honest question, what affiliation does Rowland Ward have with hunting. The World Record #1 Kudu was found in the bush and not shot. Do they recognise the achievement of the hunter? or they they recognise the quality specimen of the animal involved?
But nevertheless, how can you claim the World Record after shooting it on a smallholding?
I would be too ashamed to even mention it...

Originally Posted by KMG Hunting Safaris

how can you claim the World Record after shooting it on a smallholding? I would be too ashamed to even mention it...

KMG, I agree with you. What is described is nothing more than 'barnyard hunting'. Without challenge there can be no pride.

I have to agree. Where's the fun in something like this?

- browningbbr

I dont think it's a fair chase hunt

This kind of things (as canned hunts, and in my opinion shooting from blinds) will kill hunting as a sport in Afrika ...

I’m surprised how many people are ready to jump on the “canned hunt” or “high fence” side of an argument. Just like everyone else on this site, I know nothing of the particular farm or hunt in question, other than what is written here. I caution you to not discount it too quickly. Ask yourself a couple of questions about this hunt and the last hunt you took:
Q: What is the difference in being the high bidder for the biggest deer on the farm or paying the premium price for an animal over a certain size?
Both are guaranteeing a trophy of a certain size. Both are betting on the PH and land owner’s knowledge of the game available. No different than asking for, paying for a 50 inch buff
Q: how big was the last farm you hunted for a trophy whitetail?
2.5 acres to the hectare means roughly 325 acres of land. How many US hunters routinely hunt farms of less than 325 acres? Would you claim a world record whitetail that came from a 200 acre farm? What if that whitetail was “fenced” by lush introduced feed plots and scrapes.
Q: Can a farm that size sustain a herd of 60-100 plains game.
These farmers that are stocking their land with game are doing the exact same thing farmers and hunters all over the world are doing. They are building a habitat that is able to hold and sustain game. You can’t have sustainable game herds when urban encroachment and other environmental abuses take natural ranges at a rate of millions of acres a year. Sustainability of a much larger herd on a small parcel is entirely possible when the parcel is being managed properly. You can’t irrigate and improve the forage of 30,000 acres, but you can on 300.
Q: Are free range animals more or less fenced than farm game? How many hunters utilize non-indigenous man made food plots, artificially scented rubs and scrape areas, or man-made water sources to pattern game.
Is it any more ethical to lure game into a smaller area and hold them with manmade food plots and cover than it is to hunt them on small concessions?

A world record deer is just that. He has the genes and the habitat to grow that trophy. If it was easy then there would a new world record ever year. It's not that easy to grow a trophy to that size, let alone hunt it successfully.

Very well put Mac I myself have a small 40 acre farm here in Alabama where I plant food plots to improve food and habitat for my deer and you can bet your butt if I or my wife were to take a world record buck that had been drawn in by my feed plots I or SHE WOULD CLAIM IT. Bob

Are these animals in the sense free roaming? Can they leave the property if the feel like it or are they fenced in like the record njala? To each his own...

Anyone see a picture of this monster? I would just like to see it.

That is clearly a case of cheque book hunting. Ethics are a personal thing and if someone is comfortable to claim that as a trophy then it is up to him. If he is judged by his peers as lacking ethics by claiming such an animal as a trophy then that 'hunter' will have to live with it. To some it means nothing to be labeled as unethical.

I certainly would not credit that hunter with any skill or perceived elevation in status amongst his peers.

However (having a bet each way) if the shooter was happy with his shot and was able to cleanly dispatch that animal then why deny him the right to expend his finances as he sees fit. In situations like that there is probably a percentage of fees going towards Nyala breeding and population welfare. Not ethical in my book but practical. No trophy of course could be claimed.

Guys,

I dont want to get involved in the canned hunting stories but in my opinion the record books have been established to credit and show recognition to animals with exceptional horns and genes.

In my eyes the hunter's that was priviliged enough to harvest such an animals in the older days were usually the hunters that did their homework on areas, that hunted hard and straight out of their hearts to harvest such magnificent animals.

Unfortunately these days the cheque book decides who will be posing with a world record animal.... And yes most of us would probably paid that money (if we had it laying around in our backpockets) to get our names behind the #1 spot in the record books... What I am trying to say is that I wish we could give more credit and recognition to the trophy itself.

Best regards,

While it may be viewed as non-supportive to the hunting cause, this was not a fair chase hunt. Many Safaris ago, an older gentlemen tracker name Samson who was a man of few words stated something that has stuck to me like glue. We were hunting Zebra in the East Cape Mountains and after two days of huffing and puffing my way up, down and around the mountains we took a short break late in the second day so I could catch my breath as we pursued a small group that held a stud of stallion.
The sweat was dripping of me as I was taking some deep breaths and Samson simple said “Mr. Greg, the more you suffer the fonder your memories will be”. I looked up at this man that was slight of build and not breathing hard at all and thought that was some real BS. But, I’m here to tell all that that hunt is one of my strongest, most recalled and loved adventures of my adventure career. And today I’m uncertain what has become of Samson, however that little old man left a lasting impression on me that I will carry forever!!
I seriously doubt that the “hunter” that shot that magical Nyala could possible say the same.
To each his own I guess, but I will take the suffering each and every time so that my memories are embedded with pride.
Thank you Samson wherever you are!!

I'm with brickburn. Where can we see a picture of this beast?

Here is the picture of the #1 SCI World Record Common Nyala (SCI score 85) taken by Alexander Sachs with a bow with Stone Hunting Safaris in the North West Province of South Africa. This trophy Nyala is still ranked #1 for its' method and #1 overall, the longest horn measured 33 6/8 inches with a 9 2/8 inches base.



The previous record (SCI score 84 5/8) was taken by Anne Dodgson with a rifle some 18 years ago, it is still ranked #1 for its' method and #2 overall.




SCI Minimums for Common Nyala
Standard
Bronze Score 63
Silver Score 67 5/8
Gold Score 71 3/8
Bow
Bronze Score 56
Silver Score 66
Gold Score 68 7/8

Just the specimen is incredible to see.
That is three times the length of his face.
Well, now I know what the top end of the species looks like.
CHASA had provided the basic trophy judging criteria.
Now to start hunting.
Jacques I wish I had the time to put in for extending scouting and spotting.
I tried my hardest to move in with you for a week but alas... that Elk won out.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Just the specimen is incredible to see.
That is three times the length of his face.
Well, now I know what the top end of the species looks like.
CHASA had provided the basic trophy judging criteria.
Now to start hunting.
Jacques I wish I had the time to put in for extending scouting and spotting.
I tried my hardest to move in with you for a week but alas... that Elk won out.

Yeah i know it's not always easy to find time to scout and do it yourself but even in Africa if a PH knows his area and has hunted it for long time he will know where and when to find great trophies and one day you might just run into that world record animal.....

The elk won but we still have some dates open and some great deals going you know... You are more than welcome to visit. ;-) It was VERY close though!

Best regards,

Jacques

wow, that is one heck of an Nyala. Looks like the shot was a little far back, I bet his heart sank. The one that Anne shot is pretty special also. Anyone know the story behind that animal?