The blesbok, sometimes known as the blesbuck, is a subspecies of the bontebok antelope that can only be found in South Africa, Eswatini, and Namibia. As bles means “flame” in Afrikaans, the animal’s name was chosen because of its prominent white face and forehead.
Rams and ewes look extremely similar to one another. They can weigh up to 85 kg. On average, their horns are about 38 centimetres long. The typical adult male blesbok weighs in at roughly 70 kilogrammes (kg), whereas an adult female weighs in at a somewhat lower 61 kilogrammes (kg).
For a first-time hunter in Africa, a Blesbok is the ideal trophy. It is easier to hunt blesbok at longer range on the wide Sub-Saharan plains. This antelope was almost extinct but has now been restored due to longstanding conservation efforts, of which trophy hunting forms an integral part.
One of the most common types of antelope on Africa’s plains, blesbok have been steadily declining in population since 1893 owing to intensive hunting for their skins and meat. Blesbok populations in countries where hunting is permitted have flourished thanks in large part to trophy hunting.
Today, blesbok populations thrive in the hundreds of thousands in the numerous game reserves throughout South Africa.
In South Africa, Eswatini, and Namibia, you can spot blesbok roaming the vast veld or plains. Their ideal environment is a grassy, wetland meadow. However, they tend to occupy relatively compact regions.
In terms of rifle choice, the.243 Win is sufficient, though accurate aiming is essential. Typically pursued by using long range shots in wide areas, blesbok can be stalked and shot at from a distance of less than 100 yards in appropriate terrain; therefore, a 757 or. 308-class calibre is also an acceptable choice of rifle.
In order to successfully hunt blesbok, you’ll need a decent pair of binoculars and a sharp eye, as distinguishing between the sexes can be difficult. To identify the most dominant males, look for those that are far from the rest of the herd.
These rams will use a lot of effort tracking down and driving away the younger members of the herd. The horns of a good prize blesbok will turn white or yellow as they age. Compare Rowland Ward’s height of 16 1/2 to the SCI requirement of 40 inches. The average height of a healthy male blesbok is 15 inches.
The most common approach to hunting a blesbok is the ‘spot and stalk’ method. Since they prefer to live in open grassland, which doesn’t provide much in the way of shelter, the approach can be the trickiest part of the hunt. The fact that the blesbok is a short-grass grazer makes it that much harder to track down and kill.
Blesbok, unlike forest animals, which employ brush and trees for shelter, are more at risk when approached too closely, therefore maintaining a safe distance is vital to their survival.
A well-planned stalk and, depending on the hunter’s skill, some crawling may be necessary for successful blesbok hunts. With an average range of 280 metres, shooting in open areas can be challenging due to weather and wind.
To hunt blesbok, one can also hide in an area they frequent and wait for them to appear. When hunting blesbok, however, it is common practise to have a staff member (tracker) lure the animals into shooting range of the hunter’s ambush site.
This alternative strategy is far less complicated in theory than in practise. Blesbok that have been heavily hunted can become exceedingly elusive, even if you know the likely escape route they would follow.
Added to this, when culled at night with a flashlight, Blesbok behave differently than other antelope by not standing still.
Hunt24 will provide you with the chance to hunt a South African Blesbok of world-record proportions. South Africa’s Limpopo, Free State, and even Kwa-Zulu Natal Province are the best places in the world for blesbok hunting.
Thrilling Trophy Blesbok hunts are available all year long. In South Africa, the blesbok can be hunted at any time of the year, making it a good choice for a trophy throughout the seasons.
The South African Blesbok is frequently hunted in packs with other species. During your Blesbok Hunt, you will be accompanied by one of our Professional Hunters / Outfitters who is both experienced and licenced.
Safari-style, spot-and-stalk, or still-hunting (if you’re a bowhunter) are the most common methods of hunting blesbok. Hunting for blesbok can be done with both a rifle and a bow, depending on your preference.
