Judging Kudu

[Hallgeir Gravråk]

What do you guys think about this.
Shot in Limpopo at Kwalata Wilderness

 

[Adrian]

What do you guys think about this.
Shot in Limpopo at Kwalata Wilderness

Thick bases, deep curls, I'm going for around 59" give or take an inch either way?

 

[Adrian]

Here's another taken in Namibia last September. Let's have your best judgement on the measurements.....

 

[Hallgeir Gravråk]

Thick bases, deep curls, I'm going for around 59" give or take an inch either way?

It was measured to 57"

 

[IvW]

What do you guys think about this.
Shot in Limpopo at Kwalata Wilderness

56"

 

[IvW]

Here's another taken in Namibia last September. Let's have your best judgement on the measurements.....

View attachment 335295 View attachment 335296

52"...definitely not RW but a good old bull.

 

[IvW]

It was measured to 57"

Oops missed that....

 

[Adrian]

It was measured to 57"

Not too far away then!

 

[Adrian]

52"...definitely not RW but a good old bull.

Bigger than that.....

 

[postoak]

Huh, to my untrained eyes the second one appears as good as the first one. How is the first one 57 inches and the second one 52 inches?

 

[IvW]

Huh, to my untrained eyes the second one appears as good as the first one. How is the first one 57 inches and the second one 52 inches?

Depth of curl.

Look at one horn at a time. The first bull the curl reaches to almost tip of the ear the second bull first curl half of ear.

May add couple on second bull but the curls are very tight, even though he has more curls than the first bull.
Rather under judge than over judge...

 

[MAdcox]

Here's another taken in Namibia last September. Let's have your best judgement on the measurements.....

View attachment 335295 View attachment 335296

I would have guessed with @IvW, he looks to have about the same curl and length as my Limpopo bull that went 51.5 and 52.5. pictured in my name tag. But I find pictures to be very hard to determine accurately. One picture of my Gemsbok bull, you would swear one horn is 6 inches longer than the other when he is within 1/4 inch on both sides.

 

[Adrian]

He actually taped at 56" on his longest horn and 55" on the other.

 

[Chris English]

What do you think about this one? Shot it May 2019 in South Africa

 

[Adrian]

What do you think about this one? Shot it May 2019 in South Africa

View attachment 347020

My guess is high fifties. 58 give or take an inch either way?

 

[Chris English]

My guess is high fifties. 58 give or take an inch either way?

I like your guess but it was only 51"!! Good Camera work and Still the hunt of a lifetime. Can't wait to get the mount back!!

 

[BenKK]

Magnificent bull, Chris! Great to see.

 

[Adrian]

I like your guess but it was only 51"!! Good Camera work and Still the hunt of a lifetime. Can't wait to get the mount back!!

Wow! Looks much bigger!

 

[IvW]

Magnificent bull....very old thick hard bases and well worn on the tips....perfect bull to take....

For me it it is never about the inches but the look and age and most importantly the experience and the actual hunt....

I have hunted one horned Kudu on more than one occasion with German hunters....they were all ancient and the clients were ecstatic and the hunts hard but oh so rewarding.....

One time we hunted two kudu with one horn each, both very old and battle scarred, one left horn one right horn, same client same hunt, same property, huge place in the Waterberg mountains....a hunt I will never forget neither will my client....

Another hunt I hunted with a hunter who was on his third trip, every time he wanted a kudu but did not get one. We hunted hard, found a old bull but would only measure 47" right shape and age, he took it without hesitation....last day last afternoon hunting for another warthog we bumped into a ancient 56" kudu, blind in one eye, hunter did not hesitate and his dream came true twice on the same hunt....that's how it works sometimes....make the best of what is offered....

 

[IvW]

And yes photos and real life judging is a huge difference....