The bushbuck, or Tragelaphus sylvaticus, is an antelope species found throughout much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. Rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaics, savannas, bushvelds, and woodlands are just some of the places you could spot a bushbuck.
Bushbuck average 45–80 kilos in weight and 90 centimetres (35 inches) in height at the shoulder (99 to 176 lb.). They have distinct territories and typically browse alone.
The bushbuck is the smallest of the antelopes with spiral horns. Sub-Saharan Africa once had a population of all nine bushbuck subspecies, with the exception of the dry western region of Namibia.
Hunting of harnessed bushbuck is permitted in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Chobe Bushbucks can be found in the Zambezi River valley, which stretches from Namibia and Zambia through Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
In a similar vein, the Limpopo bushbuck is found mostly in the areas of Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique that are served by the Limpopo drainage system. As its name suggests, the Cape Bushbuck is only found in South Africa.
Only the males have horns, and the adult males, called “bucks,” are much larger and darker in colour than the females.
Hunting for bushbuck is like hunting an American whitetail. They materialise seemingly out of thin air and are notoriously difficult to target. Silently creeping through the bush, exploring the deep cover, and keeping an eye on the wind direction are all effective strategies.
The Chobe bushbuck and, in particular, the Harnessed bushbuck, have stunning, bright colouring that makes for beautiful trophies. While at the extreme, some Cape bushbuck are truly black, with robust necks and lustrous coats.
Their beautiful horns can be exceedingly sharp and used as terrible weapons when cornered or wounded. They frequently attack dogs, killing them. Therefore, you should wait for your bullet to do its job before coming closer.
Due to its timid nature and ability to quickly disappear, the bushbuck presents a formidable obstacle for hunters. Bushbuck live in isolated patches of riverine woodland or impenetrable thickets, and remain constantly close to a water source due to the fact that they need to drink daily.
Bushbuck is mostly a nocturnal or early morning/late afternoon browser, consuming vegetation such as leaves, grass, branches, flowers, and fruit.
Since they are nocturnal, the optimum time to hunt is either first thing in the morning before they retire into the thickets or just before sunset, when they emerge from the heavy brush to feed in the more open areas.
Usually a solitary, reticent, and evasive creature, this elusive species likes the cover of riverine vegetation and thick brush.
Cape bushbuck were commonly hunted using traditional driven hunts in the early twentieth century. These days, a frequent hunting technique involves moving silently down a river or stream. If you’re venturing into a broken territory and you happen to find a vantage point high above the canyons and valleys, you might want to spend some time glassing the region.
When the weather is cold in the morning, bushbuck will often bask in the sun to warm up. This is a great opportunity for hunters.
The bushbuck will send out a warning signal which is a loud, raspy barking sound, similar to a dog’s, which it emits when startled.
A 7x57mm or a 30-calibre rifle with 160–180 grain bullets is ideal for hunting bushbuck. Since you’ll likely be firing over heavy cover, you might as well break out the round-nose 220 grainers.
It’s crucial to aim your shot so that it enters and exits through the chest cavity, regardless of your vantage point. You should avoid wounding this deceptively small animal, as it can be surprisingly lethal for its size. When a bushbuck is hurt or feels trapped, it can become quite hostile.
If your wounded bushbuck tries to flee into thick cover, as he likely will, pursue him very cautiously, giving your bullet plenty of time to do its work, and sending a “Jack Russell” into the bush if at all feasible.
Hunt24 will help you track and hunt a record-making bushbuck. There are exciting trophy bushbuck hunts available at any time of the year.
In order to ensure your safety and success on your bushbuck hunt, we will pair you with one of our trained and certified Professional Hunters / Outfitters.
To hunt a bushbuck, you can either go on a safari or use a spot-and-stalk or still hunting strategy (if you’re a bowhunter). The bushbuck can be hunted with either a rifle or a bow, depending on the hunter’s desire.
