Gemsbuck color

[Letzhunt]

Just was looking back at a photo of the Gemsbuck I took in May, 2024. I have noticed that most Gemsbuck appear to be really white in the face and mine is much more gray. Almost appears dirty...which it could be. I am not unhappy with my trophy but was just wondering if it is a sign of age, genetics, health or any other reason. I will upload a photo when I can.

 

[375Fox]

All my Gemsbok from different parts of Namibia are the same coloration in photos both prime and very old. I’d suspect it is most likely genetics particularly if from South Africa where they aren’t native to most regions.

 

[Lumaberpat]

I don’t know anything about gembuck, but I know that food deficiencies or over abundance could affect color of animals; humans can turn orange if they eat only carrots, flamingos in the Buffalo zoo aren’t pink bc shrimp are expensive.

It could be genetics mentioned above as well.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Just was looking back at a photo of the Gemsbuck I took in May, 2024. I have noticed that most Gemsbuck appear to be really white in the face and mine is much more gray. Almost appears dirty...which it could be. I am not unhappy with my trophy but was just wondering if it is a sign of age, genetics, health or any other reason. I will upload a photo when I can.

Good day sir
If you post a pic it would help
Looking forward

 

[Letzhunt]

 

[IvW]

Nothing wrong with that Gemsbuck and from just looking at the horns appears to be a very fine bull. Old with secondary growth thick bases yet still carrying good length and sharp tips. Warhorse.....

 

[375Fox]

I’m not sure the coloration difference you see? That looks like a gemsbok should. A very nice bull too.

 

[Red Leg]

Hell of a bull and the colors look correct to me.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

100% normal colours
Remember pics in books etc are edited and made to look better and sharper
Animals in the wild, especially bulls, rub their faces in the sand and against trees or bushes all-day

 

[Letzhunt]

Well thanks all........ I truly wasn't fishing for compliments but I appreciate your thoughts on my Gemsbuck. He will be mounted on a pedestal next to my Kudu in my avatar.
Ha is again to the fine people on this forum.

 

[Piet-Vis]

All my Gemsbok from different parts of Namibia are the same coloration in photos both prime and very old. I’d suspect it is most likely genetics particularly if from South Africa where they aren’t native to most regions.

Comaan man
I though we established that your understanding of genetics is negligible and that you will stop making comments about a topic you have no understanding about.

 

[375Fox]

Comaan man
I though we established that your understanding of genetics is negligible and that you will stop making comments about a topic you have no understanding about.

I thought we established you have a personal stake in game breeding that causes you to only present partial truths? Starting from limited stock and breeding for certain characteristics makes certain species in South Africa recognizable in many cases. I’m not willing to intentionally present a lie. I can’t say the same for you.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think it's the exposure of film/camera. I see the cloud cover that day was spotty. I suspect the sun was just behind a snall cloud. Colors in the photo are good but they don't jump out. A little subdued. Here's my first gemsbuck. Note how much bluer the sky is. Also the darker background really makes the colors jump out whereas your photo was taken with bull laying on lighter red earth. Optical illusion. That is a massive bull. Did you have it measured?

 

[Letzhunt]

I did but honestly don't recall the length. I have it in my notes somewhere I will look for them tonight

 

[Dewald]

Congratulations on a beautiful Gemsbuck bull. As others have said, he is a big, old bull, with very good horns, and he seems to have been in excellent condition as well. I would guess 41” or 42”.

As far as distribution goes, Gemsbuck occur naturally in the majority of South Africa, barring the eastern parts, ie Mpumalanga, KZN, parts of Limpopo and the sliver of coastal forrest in the Eastern and Western Cape.

As a highschool boy and later at university I hunted piles of them in Namibia, the Karoo and the Northern Cape in order to sell biltong for pocket money. There is no major morphological differences in these, except that the Karoo animals are somewhat smaller in size.

 

[Piet-Vis]

I thought we established you have a personal stake in game breeding that causes you to only present partial truths? Starting from limited stock and breeding for certain characteristics makes certain species in South Africa recognizable in many cases. I’m not willing to intentionally present a lie. I can’t say the same for you.

I wish I had a personal stake in a game breeding operation. Alas. Bad choice in parents.
I don't even have a stake in South Africa as I left two decades ago and is unlikely to return.
What I do have is a post grad qualification in animal breeding, and a dislike for those with strong opinions about topics they don't know about and spread half truths to further their own agendas.

 

[Boris11]

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i really dont see any thing wrong with the color maybe its just you... grate work by the way..

 

[IvW]

All my Gemsbok from different parts of Namibia are the same coloration in photos both prime and very old. I’d suspect it is most likely genetics particularly if from South Africa where they aren’t native to most regions.

Again a bullshit anti RSA hunting post from you.....do you see the red sand? Typical of the Kalahari? Home ground of the species?....

 

[Ruraldoc]

It is beyond me why some posters have a perpetual anti South Africa hunting bias.

I hope to go back soon and plan on hunting a Gemsbuck when I'm there. I encourage others to do the same. Nothing wrong with a South African Gemsbuck.

I think Gemsbuck are the full equal in beauty to the more glamorous sable and roan.

If you want to hunt Gemsbuck somewhere else, nobody is stopping you.

 

[Letzhunt]

This one was shot in Limpopo. I certainly didn't see the RSA hunting debate coming from my simple post. I will be going back to RSA in 2026 this time to the Eastern Cape and if that upsets someone oh well!