Where in Africa do the largest horned Springbok come out of?

[50by50]

Hey all,

I went to Namibia last year hoping to get a monster springbok and didn't see anything over 13 inches. I've been looking at doing an Eastern Cape plains game hunt in 2019, but is that a good spot for really big springbok?

Where in Africa is known for really really good springbok? And if you have any outfits I should check out, would you let me know?

Thanks!

Matt (50by50)

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Without a doubt try Jules of the Karoo Safaris. Big springbuck all over the Karoo and northern cape but you’d be certain to get a monster with them.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hands down, Victor is on the money.
The selective breeding program at Jules has fostered absolute monsters. Their specialty.

 

[50by50]

Hands down, Victor is on the money.
The selective breeding program at Jules has fostered absolute monsters. Their specialty.View attachment 226281

whoah- that thing is huge!!!!

 

[50by50]

whoah- that thing is huge!!!!

So is the Eastern Cape the place to go for trophy
springbok?

 

[billc]

jules of karoo is one of the top but they do charge by size and do limit how may of a size they take. I was looking at going there but they got pricy at the 16" mark. The east cape has big ones but not all parts have the big ones. I believe jules of karoo hunts the springbuck in the northern cape and does other hunts in the east cape. What I seem to remember when I talked with them years ago.

Namibia has some big ones but must be in the right area. I had a bad shooting day and missed a 16" plus wounded a 16" plus and saw another that we just did not get a shot at . I ended up taking a 14" just because how good the stalk was. Going back this year for a chance at another one. I saw many over 15" though and at 500 much better deal then the prices I got at the time from jules of karoo for a 16" ram.

 

[Nosler guy]

I think this is one where you need to target specific farms / ranches rather than an area. Like some mentioned - the Karoo area in RSA definetly tops for farmed animals, but there are outfits in NW Namibia that take some very impressive free range Springbok - probably a more rewarding and demanding hunt...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Another source

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/judging-springbok.1310/#post-80501

 

[Hunting Sailor]

I’m sure that there are monsters elsewhere, but Jules of the Karoo seems to be on a great path for the breeding and management program.
The Kalahari Springboks are typically quite much bigger in the bodies than the Karoo ones if that plays a part.
If the horn length is the sole purpose for the hunt you may have to look at a different price than if you’re OK with a normal “big” Springbok.
Managing Springbok to that extent of size that is on the picture above is not easy and takes a lot of time and effort.

Springbok hunting is fun and challenging so regardless of where you go I hope you have a good time.

//Gus

 

[buck wild]

But aren't the ones in Namabia the "Kalahari springbok" known to be larger in horn size than the SA springbok because they are a different sub-set of the species ? I don't want to get into the whole biology lesson on this cuz I don't know enough about it, but I thought I read this somewhere.

 

[ActionBob]

If you go to the East Cape, you want to specifically get to the Karoo area for great springbuck.

Jules of the Karoo has the reputation, but you may be able to find others with fantastic specimens as well.

 

[jeff]

My wife and I shot 4 springbok in Namibia with archery tackle and weren't being overly picky and all were 15 to 15 1/2 The outfitter said they take several each year well over 16 and some even 17

 

[buck wild]

jules of karoo is one of the top but they do charge by size and do limit how may of a size they take. I was looking at going there but they got pricy at the 16" mark. The east cape has big ones but not all parts have the big ones. I believe jules of karoo hunts the springbuck in the northern cape and does other hunts in the east cape. What I seem to remember when I talked with them years ago.

Namibia has some big ones but must be in the right area. I had a bad shooting day and missed a 16" plus wounded a 16" plus and saw another that we just did not get a shot at . I ended up taking a 14" just because how good the stalk was. Going back this year for a chance at another one. I saw many over 15" though and at 500 much better deal then the prices I got at the time from jules of karoo for a 16" ram.

from their website

Maybe I could get one at 15 7/8"

 

[BWH]

Heard nothing but the Karoo..... Long shots too I’ve been told.

 

[jeff]

Another AH member had me do the taxidermy on his last springbok, now he has three that are over 16, free range from Namibia. If you want free range animals that have not been intensely managed with breeding programs Namibia would be hard to beat.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

View attachment 226385

Another source

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/judging-springbok.1310/#post-80501

Thats a fairly latge area u cover with that map
LOL

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thats a fairly latge area u cover with that map
LOL

You can’t give away all the secrets.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Another AH member had me do the taxidermy on his last springbok, now he has three that are over 16, free range from Namibia. If you want free range animals that have not been intensely managed with breeding programs Namibia would be hard

But aren't the ones in Namabia the "Kalahari springbok" known to be larger in horn size than the SA springbok because they are a different sub-set of the species ? I don't want to get into the whole biology lesson on this cuz I don't know enough about it, but I thought I read this somewhere.

The kalahari desert extends well into the Northern Province of South Africa joining the Karoo

 

[Hank2211]

I agree that Jules of the Karoo is the place to go for the big ones, but you have to be OK with hunting intensively farmed and bred animals. As noted, Jules is very conservative interns of the number of big ones he will allow to be shot each year to keep the genetics he wants.

But at what point does one's desire for big horns result in chasing what is essentially livestock?

On the other hand, as many have pointed out, wild Kalahari springbok can be found in parts of South Africa and in Namibia. You will have to work a little (or a lot) harder, and you will never know what's around with any certainty.

I know which I would choose, but to each their own.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Another AH member had me do the taxidermy on his last springbok, now he has three that are over 16, free range from Namibia. If you want free range animals that have not been intensely managed with breeding programs Namibia would be hard to beat.

The vast majority of Springbuck in SA wouldn't have been intensively managed. Springbuck don't generally jump 4 foot cattle fences (known to creep through sometimes) so can only be considered free ranging in areas with a complete absence of fences.

Springbuck hunting in any sizeable area is tough anyway you look at it.