Hyrax hunting in South Africa

Hyrax look very similar to a North American Marmot. They are also known as Dassies or Rock Rabbits. In some areas these animals occur in large colonies and in others areas seem to have suffered a population crash. Historically, Hyrax were not tolerated very well by sheep farmers in the arid regions where these animals competed with the farmer’s sheep for grazing. Hyrax require rocky outcrops, cliffs and stony areas as part of their habitat requirements. At one stage their distribution range covered most of South Africa, except the north eastern seaboard and Kalahari Desert. They are best hunted in the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces. Hyrax are not a sought after trophy so mostly hunted by youngsters looking for shooting opportunities and in some areas they are hunted as varmints. Most Hyrax found in trophy rooms are used as a prop in a kill display with one of the smaller cats or perhaps a Jackal. Classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special hunting permits are required. Hyrax trophies exported to the USA need to comply with the USDA trophy import regulations.