One of the most recognisable African antelopes, the Kings Wildebeest is a colour variety of the Blue Wildebeest, often known as a Gnu. During their annual migration, the untold numbers of these antelope make for a spectacular spectacle.
The Blue Wildebeest, commonly known as the Common Wildebeest, and the South African Black Wildebeest are the other two species of wildebeest. Game breeders in South Africa have created a new colour variant of the Blue Wildebeest with a mustard underbelly, white beard, and, in some cases, a light-colored forehead and snout.
During the months of March and April, breeding occurs, and by the end of the year (give or take 260 days), the valves are born.
However, environmental variables such as drought might cause cows to calve later and move further apart from one another, both of which improve the odds of survival for the calves. The calves have a birth weight of about 20 kilogrammes and are able to run alongside their mothers just minutes after birth.
The calf’s colouring is a light brown/cream, but it has a white/blond tail and mane from birth. The blue-grey colour gradually fades to a light brown tone after about three months.
It can take up to 30 months for the head to get its permanent white/blond colour. However, the size and shape of the spot on the side might shift as a result of hormonal fluctuations during the breeding and calving seasons.
While the identifying traits are passed on to the offspring, the spot is not. Thus, the same breeding pair can produce a calf with a large spot one season, and a calf with a smaller spot or no spot at all the next season.
King wildebeests were formerly known as “Bont Wildebeeste” in ancient Boer language because of their resemblance to the Bont antelope.
Traditional “plains game” hunting targets typically include king wildebeest. In South Africa, it is a time-honored custom for groups of friends to travel far and wide in pursuit of biltong, which is hunted by indigenous hunter-gatherers who follow its tracks or sit over waterholes armed with just bows and arrows.
They say that raw wildebeest meat is harsh and dry, but that it becomes a delicious delicacy when processed into biltong (jerky). The tail is traditionally used as a fly-whisk, and the skin is used to make high-quality leather. The horns will serve as a permanent reminder of the extraordinary hunt in Africa for the international hunter.
A .270 calibre weapon is recommended for hunting this tough wild species.
Another great option is the 300 Magnum with either 200 or 220 grain bullets. Close quarters hunting may call for even bigger calibres and heavier bullets.
If a wildebeest is injured, it can be very dangerous. If the animal doesn’t fall after you fire your first shot, you should be prepared to fire again instantly.
Since the mane and shoulder hump are so noticeable, it’s easy to accidentally aim for the upper body instead of the lower, which is important to keep in mind.
The shot should be placed about a third of the way into the body, behind the line that divides the upper and lower halves of the body. It’s going to take all your heart and lungs to take this “high heart” shot. The target will likely fall inside 50 yards after being rocked by a well-placed shot.
If your initial shot placement wasn’t perfect, tread carefully before attempting a follow-up. When injured, this animal becomes highly dangerous. If you must approach a downed wildebeest, do it from the “off” side and with extreme caution, as they have been known to rise and charge.
Being alert and quick to flee, king wildebeest make for an interesting and often exhausting quest. We have access to some of the finest hunting areas in the country here at Hunt24, and our king wildebeest trophies are truly breathtaking.
We’ll stop at nothing to secure a top-notch king wildebeest trophy for your collection. Our guides have years of experience tracking king wildebeest, making them invaluable for a successful hunt.
