Judging Roan Antelope

[Fatback]

I am hoping to add a roan on my elephant and buff hunt in Namibia this August, if time allows and we come across a good bull. Good inspiration here.

 

[ldhhunting]

32.7/8" x 34.1/8" Roan in Eastern Cape hunting with LJ Safari. Great hunt with Juan Stander.

 

[DieJager]

Has anybody some information about the difference, preferable with pictures between a female roan specimen and a male.

I'm hunting the western Roan, Koba, early next year and I'm trying to get a good picture of the differences between the sexes and how to judge them.

 

[DieJager]

Has anybody some information about the difference, preferable with pictures between a female roan specimen and a male.

I'm hunting the western Roan, Koba, early next year and I'm trying to get a good picture of the differences between the sexes and how to judge them.

Anybody?

 

[BourbonTrail]

Anybody?

I will say that the females have thinner horns that don’t really curl over.

Here are some poor examples from Han’s place:

Females and young (I think there are some sable mixed in):

Trophy Male

You might ask @FARO EAST NORTH CAMEROON for some pointers on roan. They get some nice bulls.

 

[DieJager]

@BourbonTrail Thanks. Yeah that would be helpful. I have a hard time to see that makes a adult bull vs a young one. I can see more clearly the difference between male and female with your example.

 

[375Fox]

Has anybody some information about the difference, preferable with pictures between a female roan specimen and a male.

I'm hunting the western Roan, Koba, early next year and I'm trying to get a good picture of the differences between the sexes and how to judge them.

I don’t think you’ll have an issue identifying male vs female, however with a herd and some grass they blend in extremely well. I could easily see the wrong shot being taken from a herd. The male has a larger body and much thicker and longer horns. I thought I had better photos and some from Cameroon but this is all I can find from Zimbabwe. The western roan has a little more black on face but looks mostly the same. Judging average bulls I find very difficult though, but old bulls and very large bulls do stand out.

 

[K-man]

No pictures of females for you but the penis sheath is normally visible. In tall grass or other habitat, the female horns will be shorter and thinner. I have seen female roan in Cameroon that would be quite a trophy if male. Like most African animals look for the compressed or secondary growth at the base of the horn to determine age class.

 

[DieJager]

@375Fox and @K-man thanks. This is very helpful.

Yeah that is my concern when in a herd. I need to have a good communication and instruction when talking to my PH. They talk French and my French is almost non existent.

The penis sheath is notable for sure but in tall grass this may be a concern. I notice the males look darker, have a more robust face and stronger neck. I hope we have the time to glass them properly.

 

[375Fox]

@375Fox and @K-man thanks. This is very helpful.

Yeah that is my concern when in a herd. I need to have a good communication and instruction when talking to my PH. They talk French and my French is almost non existent.

The penis sheath is notable for sure but in tall grass this may be a concern. I notice the males look darker, have a more robust face and stronger neck. I hope we have the time to glass them properly.

I think a big bull will be much more recognizable than you might think. The good thing is Cameroon (I assume?) has very good numbers of roan compared to Southern African countries. After late January most grass should be burnt off, so hopefully you’ll have good visibility, so hopefully you can see a few.

 

[DieJager]

I think a big bull will be much more recognizable than you might think. The good thing is Cameroon (I assume?) has very good numbers of roan compared to Southern African countries. After late January most grass should be burnt off, so hopefully you’ll have good visibility, so hopefully you can see a few.

No, I'm hunting in Senegal this March. Numbers are decent what I've heard. Buffalo on the other hand are more rare. But who knows. Main target will be the Roan and if we see some sign of buffalo we'll follow.

And then whatever Africa offers for sure some warthog and maybe, hopefully a bushbuck and some small antelopes.

 

[fourfive8]

Similar to rule for good waterbuck length - good roan will have horns about double face length. Agree with @375Fox, bulls are fairly easy to tell with obviously heavier horns. If you see a sheath on their belly it’s an absolute verification They are tall in stature !! And it’s hard to keep your eyes off those fringed ears!

 

[DieJager]

Thanks guys. This is why I love this forum. This helps a lot.