Kafue lechwe

RBurg44

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ok, so saw one in the taxidermy forum, now i wanna know how common or whatnot it is to find one in RSA, insee they got theirs in eastern cape are they else where or whats the details on them...
 
Shooting one in the RSA is a little like taking one in Texas. They are one of the iconic hunts in Africa when taken on the Kafue Flats of Zambia.
 
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You can more easily find Red Lechwe in SA, but they are also "imported" animals.
 
I think my dream hunt, including lechwe, would be in the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. That is a dream, but reality bites and I think if you look at the price list on the sponsors here, you will find some list them.
Best of luck!
 
Here you go....

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Kobus leche kafuensis - Kafue Flats Lechwe

DESCRIPTION Somewhat larger in body than the red lechwe, with considerably longer horns and a lighter overall color-actually a fulvous or tawny chestnut. The adult male has distinctive dark patches on its shoulders.

DISTRIBUTION The Kafue River Flats in Zambia.

REMARKS This race has by far the most spectacular horns of any common lechwe, and is well worth going after. The hunt is normally a one-day affair from Lusaka, with the approach made either at Lochinvar or Blue Lagoon. There is no cover whatever, so the hunter must be prepared for long shots, with shooting sticks advisable, and a good deal of wading.
 

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If they are on a big enough property and are 100% self sustaining i have zero issue hunting them in RSA. Dont want a put and take animal by any means!!! Thats my opinion and its kool if ya dont agree. Pheasants in the states are imported but know one really seems fo have the same opinion on them...
 
Dont worry about them, get after a mrs grey/nile. If i had the money i would its one of my dream hunts.
 
If they are on a big enough property and are 100% self sustaining i have zero issue hunting them in RSA. Dont want a put and take animal by any means!!! Thats my opinion and its kool if ya dont agree. Pheasants in the states are imported but know one really seems fo have the same opinion on them...
Maybe because pheasants aren't behind a fence?

Look, generally, I agree with you. I have taken a number of game animals from behind fences on game ranches. However, there are several African (and other animals worldwide) that are iconic hunts based upon their environment and the hunt. For instance the Hartman Zebra hunted in his native mountains is a super challenging hunt. Pot him on a game farm and he's just another zebra. Eland on a small farm is rather like shooting an angus - walking him down in Namibia makes him a totally different creature. Bongo from behind a fence (they're available in Texas now) is rather sad - digging him out of an equatorial jungle is one of the great hunts on the planet. I could go on. The Kafue Lechwe is one of those incredible hunts where you must wade deep into a low grass marsh and shoot far and true to take one home. If I see one in a trophy room, I really want to hear about the hunt and the shot. If the story begins "while I was in the Limpopo …." I'd just as soon take my drink elsewhere. That's my opinion and also "kool" if you don't agree.
 
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I myself prefer not to be hip or (or my my case only being 5'8") chest deep in water hunting. The Red is on my short list to hunt. I have to say, the Kafue is a better looking and would certainly entertain one, if some way other then a water hunt and a "reasonable" price.
 
Maybe because pheasants aren't behind a fence?

Look, generally, I agree with you. I have taken a number of game animals from behind fences on game ranches. However, there are several African (and other animals worldwide) that are iconic hunts based upon their environment and the hunt. For instance the Hartman Zebra hunted in his native mountains is a super challenging hunt. Pot him on a game farm and he's just another zebra. Eland on a small farm is rather like shooting an angus - walking him down in Namibia makes him a totally different creature. Bongo from behind a fence (they're available in Texas now) is rather sad - digging him out of an equatorial jungle is one of the great hunts on the planet. I could go on. The Kafue Lechwe is one of those incredible hunts where you must wade deep into a low grass marsh and shoot far and true to take one home. If I see one in a trophy room, I really want to hear about the hunt and the shot. If the story begins "while I was in the Limpopo …." I'd just as soon take my drink elsewhere. That's my opinion and also "kool" if you don't agree.

Very well stated. I feel the same about elk.
 
Nothing is as satisfying as hunting free range game in their natural habitat, but sometimes finances dictate other hunts than what I would do if money was no consideration. But as for hunting Kafue Lechwe in SA makes me think of hunting polar bear in Kansas or havelina in BC it's still the same continent but not the same experience. That being said I would rather hunt Lechwe in the EC than not at all.
 
Its alot to do withmy time and beingaway from home most flights leaving out of jo’berg to elsewheres after my long haul flight leaves me with damn near a days layover sumthing turns me off. I have a company to run along with a wife and kid id like to not leave alone for that of a long period at a time. So i was thinking if they were around RSA while im there why not go for one. I think they arebetter looking the the reds hence the reason i brought them up. At some point i will get to nambia and others but right now at the point in my life RSA will be best option for me to allow more time in th bush then in airport layovers and hotel rooms pissing away time.
 
A few years my son and I hunted them in the East Cape. Some of the ones we hunted were pressured a bit in that area. I can't remember the details but seems like some ground they inhabited was open to local meat hunters. They were as shy as any animal I have hunted elsewhere. We were pleased to get animals that we did.
Having said that I'd love to go hunt them on the Kafue flats. Just not in cards for me now. Maybe not ever. So I'll look at mine on the wall and remember good times in africa............
Bruce
 
We could make the same argument on the Black Wildebeest, anyone kill one in Namibia or Botswana? Maybe RSA out of their limited native range? Axis outside of India, Red Stag outside of Europe and the list can go on and on.

Audad outside of Texas..............oops! :whistle:
 
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Not what I am saying at all Sand Rat. My point is that there are certain species, because of the unique nature of their habitat, the hunting of them becomes an extraordinary experience in and of itself - not just the acquisition of a head on the wall. And frankly, I do clearly see a difference between a free-range Texas Audad which has called the Glass Mountains home for six generations, and one languishing behind a fence in Kerrville (or a whitetail, or red stag for that mattter).

No one has to agree with me, that the total hunting experience for certain species is still part of their allure. But I think some few do. Mountain Nyala, Bongo, LDE, Hartman Zebra, and yes, the Kafue Lechwe fall into that category for me among African game. I mean, I assume someone will eventually figure out how to get a Marco Polo to survive a Texas summer - woudn’t that be a proud addition to anyone’s collection.

If experiencing that hunt in its unique environment is not important to you - then fine. The Limpopo can indeed provide almost anything.
But back to my original point, if I see one of these species in your trophy room, my immediate desire is to hear about the hunt.
 
I understand what @Red Leg is saying and I agree. I shot mine in RSA nice lechwe but would I have preferred to shoot it in Zambia? Yes of course. I was there on a mini hunt/vacation opportunity presented itself so I took it. If I make it over to Zambia one day I just may add another one but who knows. Much rather shot a sitatunga to be honest;)
 

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