Judging Nyala

What is considered "Average", "Above Average" and "Exceptional" for trophy size on the Nyala in Southern Africa?

I have not hunted Nyala yet but will be and was wondering what I should be looking for trophy wise.

Thanks

Good post Terminator...

i was looking for this information also...

Terminator there are plenty of really good examples of Nyala trophies on this site.

But as far as judging is concerned with record books in consideration:
Rowland Ward 27 inches to enter and the record is 32 inches.
SCI 63 inches to enter and the record is 71 3/8 56 for the Bow
SA Measuring System 26 inches

Nyala are about 44 inches on average at the shoulder.
(From the life size mounts I have seen close up they seem pretty similar to a Mule Deer Buck in size.)

Nyala ear length are 8 1/2 inches

Now judging that Curl. The only help I have found is this:

"Look at the size of the bell. If the ivory tips go outwards, the horns will be in the 27 inch category. If the ivory tips point inwards the horns will be approximately 20 to 22 inches in length"
CHASA Manual

My two cents:
I have noticed that the truly exceptional trophy (size wise) are always grotesquely and noticeably larger than everything else.
You will also have to pass up an awful lot of trophies to claim that exceptional one, just like trophy hunting anything else.
So hope that helps.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Terminator there are plenty of really good examples of Nyala trophies on this site.

But as far as judging is concerned with record books in consideration:
Rowland Ward 27 inches to enter and the record is 32 inches.
SCI 63 inches to enter and the record is 71 3/8 56 for the Bow
SA Measuring System 26 inches

Nyala are about 44 inches on average at the shoulder.
(From the life size mounts I have seen close up they seem pretty similar to a Mule Deer Buck in size.)

Nyala ear length are 8 1/2 inches

Now judging that Curl. The only help I have found is this:

"Look at the size of the bell. If the ivory tips go outwards, the horns will be in the 27 inch category. If the ivory tips point inwards the horns will be approximately 20 to 22 inches in length"
CHASA Manual

My two cents:
I have noticed that the truly exceptional trophy (size wise) are always grotesquely and noticeably larger than everything else.
You will also have to pass up an awful lot of trophies to claim that exceptional one, just like trophy hunting anything else.
So hope that helps.

That helps a lot.

I have looked at lots of pictures but without a frame of reference it doesn't help me.

Obviously I will have to trust my PH but I wanted to get an idea of what to look for.

Since I do not care much about record books, the measurements like SCI which are probably total both horn length and add in some circumfrence mesurements don't mean a lot to me.

What I was looking for was what you described...visual references as to what is a good one....overall horn length, releation to features on the body and the "curling outward" part.

I just want to know what is a "shooter" vs. monster when looking at it through a scope or binoculars.

Thanks for sharing!

I know, the record book thing, you never know what anybody wants in a trophy so it is easy to dump that information into a post. Some want it, some don't.

I really appreciated the body size references of the ears and the shoulder heights myself.

Look for the bell shape.

I do not know the face length, but that one can be tricky.
Mountain goats, if you use the face size you can be tricked sometimes.

I have tried to look at some of those pictures of trophies and tried to determine what a "mature" face looks like and then I will be more able to help determine the size.

Glad to help.

Wow Brickburn,
Seems like you have really done your homework on these two species and I am happy to say that this is some really good info that you are supplying Terminator with here.
With regards to horn length, I would say that anything from a 26,5" Bull is good. But the tips that you have supplied will make it a lot easier to anyone hunting these species and will stand for good reference.

Taken from the photo gallery on AH, here are some members' trophy pictures of Nyala that had measurements...


27 inch Nyala


27 inch Nyala


27 inch Nyala


28 inch Nyala


29 inch Nyala


29 inch Nyala


29.5 inch Nyala


31 inch Nyala


31 inch Nyala


31 inch Nyala


31 inch Nyala


31 inch Nyala

Thanks Marius, I have been working hard. I just can't imagine showing up to hunt and not having a clue what I was really looking at.

Jerome, there are two of those 31 inch Nyala pictures that show that Bell shape that I was referencing. I noticed that two of those pictures were taken near dark, just when I expect the big guys to come out.
I hope Kemp and Niel are able to pose with me in a repeat very shortly!

I think 25" and under is below average. 26.5" is average. 28+ is above average and 31" is a exceptional species...rare.

I think anything in the 28 inch range is very good!