Reedbuck, common vs mountain

Bsto270 · Nov 3, 2015

So in lining up details on going to Africa in 2017 I have been debating on the value of paying the difference in price for a common vs mountain reedbuck in the eastern cape. I am curious to ask you all who has hunted both , and if so which was a more enjoyable or memorable hunt? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

greyfox · Nov 3, 2015

I didn't hunt both, but the Mountain Reedbuck was my #1 animal. I live in coastal Georgia and wanted to get back in the mountains and HUNT!! What an experience!! Watched 2 fighting, then stalked and took the winner! Fantastic hunt and fantastic eating!

Hank2211 · Nov 3, 2015

I've taken both on separate hunts. I'd say they are very different animals - size, habitat and appearance.

To state the obvious, one is found in mountainous country, which presents its own challenges but can also be very interesting country in which to hunt. Shots tend towards the longer I'd say. Common reedbuck, which in my experience are anything but, unless you are in the right country (haven't seen high numbers in the EC, but KZN is a very good area), are more mule deer like in terms of size, habitat and hunting (excluding blinds - not sure if you can hunt them that way). Shots can be challenging because the animals often hide in tall grass or, you guessed it, reeds.

Both are wonderful animals, but I couldn't pick one over the other in terms of pleasure to hunt. Both can be memorable if done correctly, and both will provide ample joy!

BRICKBURN · Nov 3, 2015

Good points Hank.

Reedbuck are more rare. TOPS.

Jumping Reedbuck in the tall cover is a lot of fun. Think old Whitetail buck that will hide on you until you step on them, literally.

If you like climbing, head after the Mtn variety. Smaller herd animal that will also be more than happy to hide in the short grass and let you walk by them.

I liked hunting both. Can't trade one for the other myself.

Bsto270 · Nov 3, 2015

Good info so far. I do enjoy hunting whitetail in the thick stuff being a deer hunter from PA. The mountain hunt does sound like an interesting change of pace. Hmmm. :A Wacko:

enysse · Nov 3, 2015

They are both different animals, I would look for a nice mountain reedbuck if I were you, if I had to pick or hunt both

ActionBob · Nov 3, 2015

Hands down Mountain from my experience. In fact it was my first African animal and a great trophy hunted with a great PH on a huge free range concession.

The Common was my Austin Powers critter. I was enjoying the stalk on a real good one until the damned land owner blew it by driving the truck over to fetch us for lunch! Fat Bastard.....

Upton O. Good · Nov 4, 2015

If you are hunting another species of plains game and come across a mountain reedbuck that your PH says is a good one to take, do it. I kick myself every time one of these reedbuck threads gets started.

petrusg · Nov 4, 2015

Just interested, are you plaining on bow or rifle?

AfricaHunting.com · Nov 4, 2015

Some Common Reedbuck…

Some Mountain Reedbuck…

Bsto270 · Nov 4, 2015

Hey Adriaan, I am planning rifle (besides my .270 I was also planning on brining a 25-06 Model 700 Mtn. Rifle specifically for some of the smaller antelopes like Springbok, Reedbuck, etc). I have been thinking and reading on it, and I do believe I will go for Mtn, especially since I will likely be in the Eastern Cape. Plus, it gives me a fine excuse to go back to Africa for a Common.

Bsto270 · Nov 4, 2015

With that being said, what is a good benchmark for horn size on a Mountain Reedbuck?

petrusg · Nov 4, 2015

Great choice in calibers...

The Mountain and Common have both dropped by an inch in Rowland Ward to 13 and 5,7/8 respectively due to the pulp section between the horn and skull. World record on the Mountain sitting at 10".

The Easter Cape has produced some fantastic sizers so I don't think you will have a issue getting a nice big fella...

Bsto270 · Nov 4, 2015

Thank you Adriaan. I love the 25-06 for flat shooting. It is actually my Dad's rifle, but I shot it a great deal when I was younger. Plus it has Leupold glass same as my .270 so I know I have some faith in it. Just need to try a few loads to see what it likes in a premium bullet (core-lokts, super x etc. has been fine in it for whitetail, and even 2 caribou my dad took with it, but I would like to up my game for this trip).

petrusg · Nov 4, 2015

One of my partners @Petrus Geldenhuys has a 25-06 and I know he struggled a bit to get the right load combination - but when he did, what a beauty of a rifle to shoot, especially over long distances.

We hunted in the Kalahari last year on Springbuck and Gemsbuck with it and I took a Gemsbuck at 386meters and boy o boy - I want one

bluey · Nov 4, 2015

I love to hunt mountain reedbuck in the eastcape , we walked for miles up high gl;assing , before old roy foun d the one that would do . over two days we mustve glassed betrween 50 and 60
of them .
just lately we spent a bit of time looking for reedbuck , too that was fun , hard to spot when they are standing still or laying down looking at you
only their noses and tails give them away
if you get the chance , try for both ,

Bsto270 · Nov 4, 2015

Good advice all around. I think on this one Bluey I am gonna take a run at mountain reedbuck. Then I can give myself a goal to return someday for the two species I would love to pursue in the lower ground, common reedbuck and red lechwe

Bsto270 · Nov 4, 2015

Pro Hunting Safaris said:
One of my partners @Petrus Geldenhuys has a 25-06 and I know he struggled a bit to get the right load combination - but when he did, what a beauty of a rifle to shoot, especially over long distances.

We hunted in the Kalahari last year on Springbuck and Gemsbuck with it and I took a Gemsbuck at 386meters and boy o boy - I want one [/QUOT

Adriaan you will love it if you get one. Killed my first whitetail buck with the 25-06 I plan to bring. It just flat our works on game in that size bracket. This rifle used to do well with a load winchester used to produce with a knock off of the early x bullets, in a 120 grain.

Royal27 · Nov 4, 2015

ActionBob said:
The Common was my Austin Powers critter. I was enjoying the stalk on a real good one until the damned land owner blew it by driving the truck over to fetch us for lunch! Fat Bastard.....

We are really going to need to send you to therapy over that one....

Hank2211 said:
Common reedbuck, which in my experience are anything but, unless you are in the right country (haven't seen high numbers in the EC, but KZN is a very good area), are more mule deer like in terms of size, habitat and hunting

I didn't realize the common was that big. You learn something new every day!

ActionBob · Nov 4, 2015

Royal27 said:
We are really going to need to send you to therapy over that one....

Yea could be

Where do you think that would be? Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, maybe back to Zimbabwe?

Reedbuck, common vs mountain

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