The gray eland is the largest of the South African antelope species, with a maximum weight of 900 kilogrammes and an average height of roughly 200 centimetres. Although gray eland are most usually seen in semiarid settings, you can also spot them in meadows, woodlands, subdeserts, shrubs, and even on the highest peaks of mountains.
The gray eland’s black spiral horns are characteristics shared by both sexes. In elderly males, the colour is a bluish gray around the neck and a uniform grayish brown everywhere else. Some have thin, hardly perceptible stripes running vertically along either side. Though both bulls and cows have horns, the horns on a bull are shorter and heavier.
Although larger herds of gray eland have been sighted, those of 8-12 animals are the norm for this species. During the day, gray eland can be found grazing in the open woodlands and on the veld.
The gray eland has a remarkable vertical leap for its size, clearing obstacles as high as 200 centimetres with ease.
Gray eland meat has the closest flavour and texture to beef of any venison, making it a good option for those who are trying venison for the first time.
Hunting seasons for the beautiful and iconic gray eland are open year-round in South Africa, making it a great choice for the serious sportsman.
The gray eland is a cautious animal that grows to be an incredible size, making hunting one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in South Africa. These magnificent animals have exceptional eyesight and can leap up to 200 centimetres, making them a desirable and gratifying trophy.
There will always be fresh challenges waiting for you on this trophy hunt. Eland are also tough to hunt since they are a nervous species that runs away at the first sign of danger.
When on the hunt for a gray eland, it is imperative that you have a high-quality weapon at your disposal. The .375 is a great choice, even if many have been taken down using less powerful weapons.
Any deviation in shot placement from the intended target, even by a few inches with a smaller calibre, might result in a day wasted hunting for a wounded animal or, worse, the loss of the target altogether.
Hunting gray eland is best done with a fast-pointing double rifle, if you have access to one. The 9.3 X 74R and the aforementioned choices are both excellent alternatives. Bullets of 286 grains or 300 grains are both effective when fired from the 375 H&H.
In most cases, a 2 – 12 X 50 rifle scope will provide you with a clear shot at a gray eland. When choosing a pistol scope or gun sight brand from the many now on the market, it comes down to personal preference.
However, the most important aspect to think about when purchasing a scope is its resilience to recoil when the trigger is squeezed.
Don’t expect to take this massive antelope down without a fight; you may want to stock up on solids just in case.
It can be quite difficult for hunters to get within shooting range of a prize gray eland bull. You might have to engage in some stalking activity for a bit. Near-misses are more common in thick vegetation because of the limited visibility.
Walking and stalking, or spotting the animal and then stalking it, will usually get you closer to your target, which is especially helpful under deep cover. Using hunting blinds increases your odds of successfully killing the eland you’ve been pursuing.
When shooting at a gray eland that has been injured or cornered, the hunter must exercise caution because the animal may become violent. For best results, have a rifle with a 30-06 calibre on hand, and double-check your shot at the target 30 minutes after striking the heart or lungs, 1 hour if you think you hit the liver, and 6 hours if you hit the belly.
Bowhunting for gray eland in South Africa calls for a patient hunter with high-quality gear and a steady hand. Shot placement is very important when bowhunting for gray eland since the beautiful dewlap can make the prize seem even bigger than it actually is.
The gray eland’s critical organs can be severely damaged from a distance by a well-placed arrowhead, making the trophy easy to retrieve.
For a once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience, use Hunt24 to book a trip to South Africa and pursue a gray eland trophy.
Gray eland trophy hunts are thrilling and can be scheduled throughout the year. Safari, spot-and-stalk, or still hunting (for bowhunters) are common methods of pursuing gray eland.
