Trophy Hunting the Greater Kudu - Tragelaphus Strepsiceros - in South Africa

DESCRIPTION - HUNTING THE GREATER KUDU

The greater Kudu is one of the species which can be trophy hunted on a hunting safari in South Africa accompanied by experienced professional hunters from the Grootpan Outfit.

The Greater Kudu is a woodland antelope found throughout southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas, due to a declining habitat.

They have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish-grey to reddish-brown. They possess between 4-12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in color than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron which runs between the eyes.

Male Greater Kudus tend to be much larger than the females, and vocalize much more, utilizing low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. The males also have large manes running along their throats, and large horns with two and a half twists, which, were they to be straightened, would reach a length of 1 meter on average. However, the male horns do not begin to grow until the male is between the ages of 6-12 months, twisting once at around 2 years of age, and not reaching the full two and a half twists until they are 6 years old with trophy sizes at 8 years on. Males weigh 190-270 kg (419-595 lbs) while females weigh 120-210 kg (265-463 lbs). Females do not have horns while the bulls have horns that average 120 cm (42 in) in length at 6 years.

Their habitat includes thick bushveld, rocky hillsides, and dry riverbeds and anywhere with a constant supply of water. Their diet consists of leaves, grass, shoots and occasionally tubers, roots and fruit. During the day, Greater Kudus normally cease to be active and instead seek cover under woodland, especially during hot days. They feed and drink in the early morning and late afternoon, acquiring water from waterholes or roots and bulbs, which have high water content. Although they tend to stay in one area, the Greater Kudu may search over a large distance for water in times of drought.

Fully mature males will often fight other males by interlocking their horns with the other until one of them admits defeat and gives in. In rare circumstances this can sometimes result in both males being unable to free themselves from the other's horns, usually resulting in the death of both animals. Females may sometimes ward off males by biting them, due to their lack of horns.

The greater kudu is one of Africa's most stately and sought after game animals and probably the most hunted by trophy seekers.

WHERE TO HUNT KUDU

Grootpan Hunting Safaris hunt kudu in South Africa and Zimbabwe with trophies of up to 62" having been taken in South Africa. The Southern Greater Kudu is the largest of all the species, with the Eastern Cape kudu being much smaller in body size and horns. South Africa consistently produce kudu hunt trophies with the greater kudu found in the Limpopo province.TIPS  

TIPS ON HUNTING KUDU

Kudu are most active early morning or late evening, which is also the best time to hunt kudu while stalking or standing  in wait for them. Sometimes they are quite inquisitive and will give the hunter ample opportunity for a shot.

 RIFLE CALIBRE FOR HUNTING KUDU

Although they are large bodied, any good plains game caliber starting from 270 Magnum upwards is sufficient. As with all African antelope, medium to heavy grained soft-nosed bullets are best.

TROPHY JUDGEMENT

Judging a kudu is not that easy as the deepness of the curls mostly determines the total length. Measurements are taken from the base of the horns, along the spiral ridge to the tip for RW and adding the circumference of the bases for SCI.

Any kudu with horns over 48" makes for a good trophy with anything over 50" making it very desirable with hunters all over the world. Widespread horns are impressive however are usually misleading and score lower than deep curled narrower horns.

CITES

No restrictions on hunting kudu

Greater Kudu

RW minimum score 54 7/8"

SCI minimum scores 121"

East Cape Greater - 98"

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