5 most challenging species excluding the big 5

What are the 5 most challenging species to hunt excluding the big 5 and why?

I would have to say that one of them is the crocodile. This is because first of all the target is so small, and if you dont hit it your trophy is gone. Secondly they are so wary, when not hunted with bait, and their senses are extraordinary. To me this is one of the hardest species to hunt.

I would put the Hartmann's mountain Zebra of Namibia very high on that list. This animals got very good eyesight, and when you see them they are already running. This can be a very challenging hunt if you hunt them in their natural habitat in Namibia. They stay most of the time in the mountains and that will make this a very physical hunt.

Duikers on foot, in their natural habitat has to be up there! A lot of fun, amazing experience in the forest and lots of missed chances before you get a decent shot at one. First challenge is spotting one, next is getting a long enough look to assess the sex and trophy and lastly getting a good shot off...

I would have to agree with Ryan on the Duikers, and Steenbucks are right up in the same category. They always seem to pop up at the least expected time, they don't give you hardly anytime to access trophy status & 1/2 the time you wish you had a shotgun with a trap load in it as you would swear you were hunting rabbits!!

I think most any of the Pygmy Antelope when hunted specifically are the most difficult. I will be trying for my third time for Suni this fall next to the Suni I would have to rank the Blue Duiker as the next toughest. I was lucky and got mine on the first day trying but count my blessings. some can be called in but it is no guarantee you will be successful. These are hunts of patience not physical endurance like the Eland.

IMO any wild animal can be a challange under certain circumstances and to pick one animal would be folly...

I have hunted Bushbuck, Vaal Rhebok, and Kudu, and thought each of them was surely the most challanging animal in the world, Then the next time I hunted them we drove out, walked a 100 yards or so and shot them broadside as they stood and looked at us...Happens all the time.

A Mule Deer buck over the 30 inch spread can be almost a phantom, but the ones that are shot usually walked out in front of some kid...

I have to say, I have no answer to this post, as any wild animal can be elusive as hell on any given day or dumber than a box of rocks on another day.....

The Fallow deer in the Blue Mountains, New Zealand, difficult but rewarding.

Von Gruff.

I have to agree with Ray's post in general as that has been my experience as well...............

Then, as mentioned so far there is the aspect of whether the animal itself is the difficulty or is the climate and terrain actually the challenging aspect of hunting the beast, or is it a combination thereof.

Cost itself can be the most difficult for some of them. Dropping the price of a new home to hunt one species is rather hard for some people (me included).

Kelly & Ray you guys make some great points there!! I have had plenty of problems hunting Bush buck & Waterbuck.. Finding one wasn't the difficult part, but finding the right one for on my wall was!! Still looking also!! I agree with Ray as one day they can be as elusive & smarter than heck & the next day dumber than a box of rocks!!

I would agree with Ray to an extent, but in my experience it would be the Whitetail, as I have little experience hunting Mullies. The above said I thought the request was for Africian plains game. I do believe the Bushbuck can be one hellave hunt also. As Ray said all can be tough and sometimes they are easy.

Ray is right, they all can be hard, but the African game animal that I find hardest is the Sittunga! I have hunted him extensively on three different safaris, and haven't seen a shooter yet! Of course the tiny antelopes of Africa will make you pull your hair out if they are hunted on purpose. Most of those are taken while hunting something else. I'd say a quest for a complete collection of the little guys would take many safaris before you completed it, if you ever did!

Dugaboy1... Sitatunga is a very tough animal to hunt. Not only are they rare, but the habitat they thrive in, is a real challenge to any hunter. Finding the right one is a whole different ball game and could take many hunts. I never believed they could get away by totally submerging - but i saw it for myself and it is very true that they can pull a croc move on you.

Dugaboy, you are probably correct on the Sitatunga, I have never hunted them but sure as H*ll would like to. I have one to go on the tiny ten - Suni - and will be hunting them again this fall. This will be my third hunt for them. The last two years I have spent a week hunting them along with Red Duiker, which I got last year so if I am lucky I will complete my task this year. I also have a passion for the Spiral Horned Antelope so I would dearly love to hunt the Sitatunga. Much prefer these to the Big Five.

I never would have guessed that those little guys would be as chalenging as it sounds like to intentionally hunt.

Originally Posted by Die Ou Jagter

I would agree with Ray to an extent, but in my experience it would be the Whitetail, as I have little experience hunting Mullies. The above said I thought the request was for Africian plains game.

I have no exeprience in Africa YET & I agree that this is an African forum & I think that the question was about African game....That being said, I have to comment on DOJ's comment. I live in N/W Oregon.

Jim Shockey has made the comment "that other than polar bear due to the climate and accessability, the Columbia Blacktail in Northern Oregon & Washinton State is the most difficult animal to hunt due to the dense brush and steep terrain." They do not pattern like whitetail. They live, feed & bed in the same area without migration routes and only move when distrubed by human activity. The are VERY secretrive and cunning. I hunted from the time I was 12 until I was 22 before I killed a buck and many more years before I got a wall hanger.

Sorry for the hi-jack...NOW BACK TO Africa!

it has to be said Bongo Hunting in Cameroon has to on top there somewhere. Just tracking in the forest alone can finish a guy up.

After reading all of the above comments, I'd have to agree duikers, bushbuck and situanga are the devil to hunt. They can hide well to begin with and can escape just as fast as they come. Plus the duikers are hard to judge the sex or horn length. A lot of times people shoot and sort it out on the ground if they hit the animal.

Could definitely see where Bongo (especially without dogs) would be incredibly difficult and tough. To that, I'd add Lord Derby Eland for how elusive it can be and the distances you have to travel when stalking one and Mountain Nyala for the environment it lives in as well as the cost .

1- BONGO
2- ELAND
3- HIPOPOTAMO
4- NYALA
5- ZEBRA