What animals you guys add to your list of animals after hunting Africa.I think we all had them a few animals we never wanted to hunt but then after seeing them in the wild they make the new list.I would say red hartbeast was the biggest susprise and then a zebra.Always liked the zebra just thought it would be to easy and not fun.Learned after a few stalks for my sons zebra way more then a horse with strips.Both are on the list now for sure.
I think I have been fasinated with most of Africa's animals! The one that I don't seem interested in is the African wildcat and ostrich. The giraffe is off most peoples boards...but they are pretty and would add a lot to the Africa memories. I think for me the desire is to get a nice steenbok, common duiker and warthog. I would pass on anything small looking for a older mature animal. The hunt begins the next time I'm in Africa.
Bill, I never saw the fascination with the Reedbuck. Plain straight horns, etc.
Well, when I started to see them act like old whitetail bucks at Leeukop they made it on the list.
The Reedbuck would hide in the grass, reeds, trees anything, dropping to the ground and holding their position until you stepped on them or you left the vicinity. Tough quarry.
The Steenbok, Common Duiker, Mountain Reedbuck and Red Duiker are firmly in the sights now that I have witnessed their behaviour in the field. They are all tough trophies to hunt. They are all smart and fast. You don't see them before they see you they are gone. TThe Red Duiker was always a little dull red streak.
The hunt changed immensely when you go after large specimens. They do not live that long being stupid.
I am already looking forward to the return trip and a new list!
For me it is the Bush pig. Ugly as sin and almost exclusively nocturnal, I had no interest in them before I went. Now that I am 0 and 2 with them they have gotten on my bad side and it is time to get even!!!
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Originally Posted by BRICKBURN
I've only got one African trip (Namibia) under my belt but more and more bushbuck is firming as a favourite on my next trip.
I'm not much of a trophy hunter but if I was fortunate enough to take one, it would be coming home with me.
After an unsuccessful try for klipspringer they are now at the top of the list. I had an easy shot 30 minutes into the hunt and couldn't see the animal. That really was a great way to start the day. I then had a close encounter of the black mamba kind. Earlier in the hunt I had gotten a huge blister and had trouble climbing. My PH worked hard and I just couldn't get it done. True, I only dedicated one day in pursuit but it sure opened my eyes to what a great trophy a klipspringer is.
I can honestly say nyala was the first not on the list but was added before the trip was over. I would also say the little guys weren't paid much attention, but now are on the top of my list, which I took a common duiker and mountain reedbuck on my last trip. I passed on a trophy red duiker and later that evening I decided to take one, but as expected, another trophy male never presented himself for the remainder of the trip. Also, zebra and giraffe didn't make the short list until I was in Africa. Now, they are in the upper regions of the wishlist.
I had 7 bush pigs at 100 yards during the middle of the day on my last hunt. I didn't shoot and I think my PH threw up he was so sick about it.
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Originally Posted by Diamondhitch
Yep, I'd definitely shoot a bushpig if given the chance!!! To see one in daylight would be a real treat :)!
We caught a glimpse of a bush pig, but couldn't get a clear shot. The PH was so excited he picked up my extra gun hoping to get a shot on one. Nyala was on the list and still is. A duiker was not but once we came
across one it is now. I am also fascinated with the little five. Have
plenty of time to dream and research before the next trip. That's a lot of the fun about going is the planning and prep.
I had never seen bushpig before my last trip to Zim this summer, but we did see several in daylight on this trip but never got a shot at one, though close. But to the main point. Strangely, bushbuck were not on my list when I went to Botswana and we saw a couple of nice ones. After that I started looking and it took me 3 more trips to get one until I finally scored on a nice buck in Limpopo in 2009.
If you are lucky enough to see a bush pig, shoot it! I have one MASSIVE regret from my trip to SA in May. On day 4 of my trip this year on a gemsbuck stalk we saw them. I still don't know where the gemsbuck went. It was like he melted into the herd of bushpig. There had to be a dozen of them. My ph and I at the same time "BUSHPIG!". I had read about the mysterious pig here on AH before going on my trip. But passed them off...."I will never see one." My PH was really excited, as was I. I was out of $$$. I wanted my Gemsbuck and had to pass. I regret that to this day! That was the time.....that's what god made Visa and Master cards for! Lol. Next time for sure! That and the red heartabeast. There was some thing about them. I don't know what it was. Deff on the list for the next trip. The final oneis the bushbuck. My dad got his on the last day. They are tuff to find but fun to hunt. Especially if it is really thick brush....and they love that!
Bush pig has been on m y list were just not in the area we hunted.I think they look really cool for an ugly pig.The duiker is on my list to and I never thought I want any of the small ant. either.
I would go with the tiny antelope. One of the days my PH and I went into the bush after waterbuck. He suddenly stopped and I knew something was up. Well out of the bush on a "ferocious charge" came a Sharpe's Grysbok. I hadn't a clue what I was looking at or how rare such a sighting in RSA was. I asked my PH if it was a shooter which he confirmed. He also confirmed we couldn't shoot him. So, we just enjoyed the show he put on for us. He hadn't a clue we were there and passed within 10 yards of us. Since then, I've given much more thought to the little guys.
I never had an urge to shoot a Zebra, but after seeing how incredibly wild they are, I had to shoot one. On my list for next trip, red hartebeast,tried for 3 days to close the deal on a hartebeast, no luck. Also on the top of my list is Nyala. Incredibly beautiful and very furtive. Can't wait to try the Wildebeast's also. Never had an urge to shoot a Giraffe either,until I saw them, then it was game on!, but alas, the wife says NO way on the Giraffe!
I regret not going for a Zebra, like many other 1st timers I thought they would be to easy. Bad mistake and zebras areAfrica. Blue & black wilderbeast & bushbuck would be on my next list...Sable, Buff...sh.t..how long's a bit of string?
Going next week for Kudu, Zebra and Nyala. All on top of my list.
On my first safari, I "overshot" my list by 3 or 4 animals so near the end of the hunt when my PH pointed out "a really good" Red Hartebeest, I had to decline. I also spent the last day of that trip with one of my buddies as he tried to shoot a Zebra. Before that I hadn't even considered Zebra.
Both of those animals uniquely "say Africa", and they were high on my list for my second hunt. I had my Zebra done as a pedistal mount, and I used the back skin in the panels of the pedistal. It is one of my favorite mounts.
On my third safari, I didn't have Red Lechwe or another Gemsbok on my list, but during my hunt we came across two "very good" rams/bulls of these animals. After agreeing to take these two animals, I told my PH that he could "sell ice to an Eskimo." I hope I have learned that if my PH says "that is a very fine ___, you should shoot it", that I will shoot. Very often, Opportunity will not knock a second time.
I will be returning to Africa in July, and on this trip my major focus will be for Sable. I have only listed a few other animals, but I am hoping that there will be several other "animals of opportunity" that I can hunt.
For me, it's bushbuck and I'd like to get a real nice eland.
for me it's giantforesthog, bushpig ,hyena;)