Tips for Kudu hunting by stalking

[raimanparoni]

Give me some last minute tips for kudu by stalking. In Finland I hunt moose with my dog so I know the basics ( Dont smell, dont make noise, be invisible). How far kudu can smell you if its steady wind ?(moose 70-80m) How long it remembers the noise (with moose, when I break branch I wait 5(long) min ) How far kudu sees clearly(moose sees only movement)

 

[rinehart0050]

I found them to be very wary. I'd say exercise caution, especially on the final stalk. Take your cues from your PH, he'll get you within range.

 

[IvW]

Windless days, or day's with slight swirly wind are the worst. Nice strong breeze keeping it's direction are the best. Time of year also makes a difference as well as the area you will be hunting.

Lots of dry leaves on the ground make stalking more difficult.

Stalk very slowly, stop often and look very carefully before continuing. Find high spots to glass from.

Big bulls are often moving around during the hot time of day and may also water at this time.

After breeding season it is not normal to find big trophy bulls with the cows, they will be on their own or in bachelor groups.

On cold mornings you may find them sunning themselves on the eastern slopes of any ridges or mountains.

They have exceptional hearing, smell and sight. The slower you move the better your success will be. They also have a cunning ability to stand absolutely still for long periods of time.

 

[CAustin]

They will often stand very still looking at you and not moving a muscle. Their horns may be obscured in tree branches. As mentioned move slow and try to stay behind cover as much as possible to get into position

 

[cpr0312]

My tip would be listen to everything and do everything exactly as you PH tells you to. These animals are very wary and tough to get on sometimes. They are called the grey ghost for a reason!

 

[BenKK]

My most special kudu moment - not that I’ve had many - was crawling-up to a bull in the Kalahari thorns with Jason Bridger. Suddenly the bull was right there, just forty metres away, horns laid back along his stripes as he reached high for those little leaves.

 

[Longwalker]

I have hunted many moose, but only stalked a few Kudu. From that small comparison, I would rate Kudu better for eyesight, and equal for hearing. I don't know about Kudu sense of smell, but doubt it can be any better than a moose. After several failed stalks for Kudu, too much noise was the main reason we thought they were alerted to our presence. As others have said, trust your PH.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.............. They also have a cunning ability to stand absolutely still for long periods of time.

This is the one that shocked me. I watched a Kudu standing in the shade of a tree, still as a statue for over two hours. I have never encountered that on any species in North America. They will lay down for hours, but stand still, NO.

They use the shade and that coat colour makes them very hard to see in the shadows. Look hard.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Look toward the sun (early rising, late setting) and search for glints/reflections of sun off the horn tips. There are very few things in nature that reflect light.
It is amazing how well it works.

 

[raimanparoni]

I have got good advices here. Of course PH is the supervisor and says what to do.

 

[Dr Ray]

Look toward the sun (early rising, late setting) and search for glints/reflections of sun off the horn tips. There are very few things in nature that reflect light.
It is amazing how well it works.

That’s very good advice. Personally I would not have thought of that. Thanks.

 

[fourfive8]

Well, kudu don't act like moose and both live in complete different environs with different predators... except man. I'd say their senses are comparable except kudu probably have better eyesight. No way to give meaningful pointers about how to hunt them other than follow the lead of your PH and his trackers which you will be doing anyway. Shoot straight

 

[raimanparoni]

Look at my new avatar!

 

[BenKK]

Nice! Can you tell us about it?

 

[40inarow]

I got a fine kudu plus 8 other animals. My suggestion would be to wear shoes that are good for stalking and not have heavy lugs. I wore Russell Moccasin Joe's PH with the general purpose soles. My PH commented several times over a two week hunt how he was impressed with how quiet these were.