Sandgrouse hunting
View 9 hunts View all hunts9 hunting trips from 3 outfitters starting from $1,266
Where to hunt Sandgrouse
Sandgrouse are iconic desert birds found across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. Known for their striking plumage and remarkable ability to thrive in arid environments, these birds are a prized quarry for upland bird hunters. Some sandgrouse hunting opportunities may be found in the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, but most are concentrated in Africa. Sandgrouse hunting is especially popular in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, where these birds inhabit open savannahs, semi-desert regions, and dry grasslands. The Namaqua sandgrouse and Yellow-throated sandgrouse are common species targeted in these areas.
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Sandgrouse are typically included in the trophy lists of a general plains game or big game hunts, where the fees for birds usually range from negligible to nonexistent. They are sometimes offered as a part of a dedicated bird hunting package. The daily rates for such packages seldom exceed $500, depending on the outfitter and location.
Bird hunting in Africa? You bet!
When most people think about hunting in Africa, they think about big-game hunting, but the continent has unparalleled bird hunting as well. And we're not even talking ostrich here! Let us walk you through African wing shooting opportunities with this blog by Peter Ruddle.
7 Jan 2022 Wingshooting in South Africa: An Unexposed Jewel. Part 1: Pigeon and Dove ShootingWhen to hunt Sandgrouse?
Sandgrouse hunting seasons vary by region, but the best time to hunt these birds often aligns with the cooler months when they are most active. In Africa, prime hunting occurs during the dry season, from May to September, when water sources attract flocks of sandgrouse for drinking.
Hunting methods All hunting methods (8)
If the habitat allows, sandgrouse can be a terrific species to hunt over bird dogs. English pointers are favored in South Africa and Namibia, both because they are more heat tolerant with their short hair, and because of the large areas the dog has to cover. Without dogs, hunters can walk the likely species in a horseshoe formation. Both methods don’t differ much from a default plains game hunt. The most common way of shooting sandgrouse in Africa, however, is waiting for them over a water hole. The birds start coming to drink as soon as the sun is up, in bigger or smaller groups. The outfitter may set up a blind, but normally simply standing or sitting quietly under a bush is enough. Midday is usually a lull time, but in the evening the birds will come to drink again. Sandgrouse aren’t very tough birds, and an ounce of #8 to #7 shot from an open choked gun is just right, but they are fast flyers with erratic flight patterns, and provide an exciting challenge for upland bird hunters.
Why hunt Sandgrouse?
If you’re on a big game hunting safari, especially in a flatter, drier region of South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana, your PH may offer you a morning or afternoon of sandgrouse shooting as a diversion, or to wind down and relax after the more intense hunting experience. If you’re anything like a bird hunter, don’t turn down this unique and thrilling opportunity to pursue one of the world’s most fascinating upland birds. And a devoted wildfowler with a passion for travel should definitely consider booking a dedicated African bird hunt in an area where sandgrouse are abundant. Their adaptability to harsh environments, combined with their beautiful plumage and challenging flight patterns, make the sandgrouse a prized quarry for any bird hunter.
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