Hartebeest hunting
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Where to hunt Hartebeest
Hartebeest is an African antelope of relatively large size, yellow to red color, and unusual bracket-shaped horns. Its small herds are found in a variety of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. Coke’s Hartebeest, or Kongoni, inhabits Tanzania and Kenya. Western Hartebeest, the biggest subspecies, can be hunted in Cameroon. Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest’s range covers south-eastern Africa, with hunting opportunities existing in Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Red Hartebeest, that occupies the south-west of the continent, is by far the most numerous subspecies; it can be hunted in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Price distribution
Pricing of Hartebeest hunting depends greatly upon the subspecies and location. The most common, Red Hartebeest, is also the most affordable, with shooting fees starting at $500, and a complete Hartebeest hunt in South Africa or Namibia may cost well under $2,000. To harvest a Lichtenstein Hartebeest in Mozambique and Zambia, be prepared to pay $7,500 and up, and a Western Hartebeest hunt in Cameroon will cost you about $10,000. The most expensive Hartebeest hunts are the old-fashioned safaris in Tanzania, which start at $20,000 and go all the way up to six figures depending on the length and the trophy list.
Learn more from our blog story
A hunter considering his or her first African adventure has many questions that aren’t always covered by the hunt descriptions. How does the “daily rate plus trophy fees” system work, and what’s the difference from a package hunts? How much to budget for travel, tips, taxidermy? Are there other expense items I don’t yet know about? This post covers the basics of the budget for a South African safari, door to door.
17 Aug 2017 All said and done: What’s the bottom line for an average South African hunt?When to hunt Hartebeest?
Opportunities to hunt Hartebeest exist all year round, especially in South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana. Hunting Western Hartebeest in Cameroon takes place during the savannah hunting season, from January 1 to April 30, and in Tanzania hunting is open from July 1 to December 31. On the balance, the best time for hunting Africa is probably the southern hemisphere autumn and winter, from April to August.
Hunting methods All hunting methods (17)
Hartebeest, like most plains game species, is usually taken by the spot-and-stalk method. The hunter and the PH will begin with occupying the commanding height, and from there glass the area for a herd that contains a reasonably big male, or an old male that is way past his prime (such animals are usually found on the edge of Hartebeest habitat). Hartebeest can inhabit a variety of landscapes, from tall grass to miombo woodlands, but are usually found in the open spaces. The shape of their head makes it easy for them to keep both eyes on the surroundings, even as they graze, so the stalk can be quite a challenge, and the hunter must be prepared for a long shot.
Why hunt Hartebeest?
Hartebeest are grazers, and highly efficient at that. With their long, pointed muzzle they can pick the most nutritious parts of the plants. Thus, they require less food, and if the plants are juicy enough, are less dependent on water sources, as compared to other antelopes. As efficient grazers, they compete with domestic cattle, and in fact it is this competition that is the major reason for the decreasing numbers of Hartebeest across its range. Hunting concessions play an invaluable role in preserving the habitat, taking the cattle out of the picture, and are especially effective in conservation of such a relatively sedentary species as the Hartebeest. Studies show that Hartebeest meat is one of the most nutritionally valuable, and the long head with peculiar face markings and uncommon bracket-shaped horns make Hartebeest an impressive trophy.
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