What to hunt? Warthog or Springbok?

[Muntjacer23]

Hi all,

Im booked in for my first African hunt (7 day buff hunt) next month in the Eastern Cape! And if I’m successful with time to spare I have budgeted to shoot a warthog or springbok too!

However I can’t decide which! And that’s where I need your help?

On the one hand the warthog is iconic and I’ve never shot a pig before, but on the other hand the Springbok is South Africa’s national animal! And as an Englishman, hunting one would go some way towards making up for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final!

I might just have to hunt both but interested to hear your thoughts!

Seperate question, is it a springbuck or a springbok?

 

[Rumrunner]

Nephew has a nice warthog euromount. The tusks make a great hat rack.

 

[MontanaPat]

I think the springbok will be an easier hunt although probably a longer shot of 200 meters or more. Finding a really good trophy warthog with unbroken tusks can be a real challenge and then getting a shot can be difficult. It took me four trips to get a shot on a good warthog. Springbok was a one day affair.

I would go for the warthog if you can only do one of the two extras

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Warthog. They will forever be on the list every time I go.

 

[joker2400]

Warthog. Negotiate for a springbuck culling package once you are in camp.

 

[Speedster]

Warthog. Have not had a shot at one in 2 trips. Spent more time hunting them than any other animal but have completely struck out.

 

[JimmyJack54]

I’ve never regretted shooting more animals. I’ve only regretted not having taken some, when the opportunity was presented, due to budget concerns, e.g., an estimated 25” impala on my first safari when I had already shot an impala. In four subsequent trips I’ve not seen another impala nearing that quality. I suspect the trophy fees for the animals you mentioned is between $400-700 each. I’d encourage you to stretch your budget until it hurts, and then some more. Happy hunting!

 

[Sika98k]

I was up on the Tsavo river in Kenya 13 years ago. When I saw some warthog I was sold on them.
In general the hunt is waiting by a waterhole for a good one to show which can be a bit boring.
However a good pair of warthog tusks makes a great trophy.

 

[Muntjacer23]

I was up on the Tsavo river in Kenya 13 years ago. When I saw some warthog I was sold on them.
In general the hunt is waiting by a waterhole for a good one to show which can be a bit boring.
However a good pair of warthog tusks makes a great trophy. View attachment 744005

Great photo! I’ll be hunting them with Game 4 Africa, your report amongst others helped sell them to me!

 

[joker2400]

Bushpig is an underrated trophy too. I’ve taken 6 warthogs and 2 bushpigs. I’d take the first good pig of either species and not be upset

 

[Sika98k]

Great photo! I’ll be hunting them with Game 4 Africa, your report amongst others helped sell them to me!

You will enjoy yourself there with Wik. Everyone here sings their praises. Man’s got to be properly attired !

 

[Muntjacer23]

Bushpig is an underrated trophy too. I’ve taken 6 warthogs and 2 bushpigs. I’d take the first good pig of either species and not be upset

Bushpig do really appeal! I’ll plan to hunt one when I next return to Africa to do a focused trip on PG like Kudu and Eland! But on this trip buff are the priority. And where I’ll be hunting, for the cost of a bushpig I can hunt both a warthog and a springbok!

 

[Muntjacer23]

You will enjoy yourself there with Wik. Everyone here sings their praises. Man’s got to be properly attired !

All the reports I’ve read on here about them have been excellent! And they certainly seem like the perfect outfitter for my first African experience! And their buff hunting package is very reasonably priced too!

 

[ru4elk]

The quick answer is "do both"! Warthog is a far better hunt.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Great photo! I’ll be hunting them with Game 4 Africa, your report amongst others helped sell them to me!

My 3 from @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS ...

 

[Muntjacer23]

My 3 from @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS ...

View attachment 744024
View attachment 744025
View attachment 744026

Awesome pics! I’d love to shoot a similar one on my hunt

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Awesome pics! I’d love to shoot a similar one on my hunt

The top 2 were targeted. The third - and my favorite - was opportunity presenting itself while hunting something else.

I also shot a suicidal springbok. We didn't find a note, but probably because the wind blew it away. Suicide is all that makes sense; the others ran and he just stood there.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

To me Warthog are lean delicious eating. It does take quite a bit of luck to come across a trophy Vlakvark.

 

[meigsbucks]

I’m a nut for pigs. On my first sari, after buffalo, I wanted a warthog for a full mount. Springbok are a great hunt as well. I shot two on my second hunt.

 

[Charlie64]

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Two very different hunts - springbok often in herds with plenty of eyes, ears and noses, long stalks and many a time long shots. A good springbok will push 14 inches and be 4 to 5 years and maybe just maybe more.

A warthog (and I have shot a few over the years) is often an animal of opportunity or near water. A big old boar with 10 inch tusks is certainly hard to beat.

I would never pass up on a great pig nor would I pass on a big old springbok ram!

Wishing you a great hunt!

Charlie

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