The Sharpe’s Grysbok is a timid antelope that stands 500 millimetres at the shoulder and eight kilogrammes at maturity, making it slightly smaller than the Cape Grysbok.
This species has a grizzled appearance due to the mixture of white and rich rufous hair on the back and flanks. Rams alone are equipped with horns measuring 60–100 mm in length.
Typically, the leaves and new shoots of shrubs and bushes make up the bulk of the diet for Sharpe’s Grysbok. Sharpe’s grysbok will also eat grass shoots, berries, and flowers if they are readily available. Raiding of cultivated crops occurs at night as well.
It takes about seven months for a lamb to develop into a new-born. Little is known about this animal’s behaviours because of its reclusive character. The Sharpe’s Grysbok is a solitary animal that prefers to sleep during the day and forage for food at night and in the early morning.
Sharpe’s Grysbok are similar to Cape Grysbok in look and behaviour, but they are only found in the Lebombo mountain range and further north in eastern Mpumalanga. Sharpe’s Grysbok is likely an endangered species, but its conservation status is unclear.
Both sexes establish and maintain separate territories, which are delineated by dung middens. Some reports have indicated that Sharpe’s Grysbok use Aardvark burrows as shelter.
Small and reclusive, the Sharpe’s grysbok prefers to keep to itself. It is solitary and prefers dense vegetation, except for breeding and birth.
The Sharpe’s grysbok is roughly 20 inches in height and 15 to 25 pounds in weight. As such, it is approximately the size of a grey duiker, which is a bit bigger than a Cape grysbok. Males have small, thin horns that are widely apart. In contrast to males, females lack horns.
The Sharpe’s Grysbok saunter about with their heads lowered, as if crouched in readiness to spring. While it is mostly a nocturnal creature, it is possible to spot a Sharpe’s Grysbok during the day, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon, when it is out and about on the roadways.
Sharpe’s Grysbok can be found across Africa, but the best places to hunt for one are in small clearings and along riverbanks. The Sharpe’s Grysbok is not restricted to the dense underbrush of the bush; it also inhabits wide savanna and the forest fringe. Its camouflaging colouring also makes it a common resident of the brush at the base of rocky hills.
Sharpe’s Grysbok use dung middens to demarcate a wide territory. However, their shy nature means that they are rarely spotted. At the first sight of trouble, they’ll immediately flee. They’ll cover a long distance in a sprint before giving up. They don’t perform the steenbok’s “run a way, then look back” habit. This complicates the pursuit of Sharpe’s Grysbok in Africa.
Since they are so small, they can easily squeeze under or under fences, much to the chagrin of farmers who lose their crops, fruit, and vines to these pests. For this reason, Sharpe’s Grysbok are occasionally targeted for removal as a pest animal.
When hunting Sharpe’s Grysbok in Africa, a shotgun loaded with either #6 or #7 lead shot or #5 or #6 steel shot is your best bet. The stalk needs to be nearly silent because the effective range is less than 40 yards.
Hunting Sharpe’s grysbok in Africa is best done either at the crack of dawn or late in the day, immediately before shooting light fades, if night hunting is prohibited. Most often, these animals are taken during a plains game hunt as incidental targets, at which time the firearm you are utilizing may also suffice.
For the trophy hunter looking to bag a truly one-of-a-kind and uncommon animal, Sharpe’s Grysbok hunting couldn’t be more ideal. They are most often taken at night using a spotlight, although they can also be hunted by walking and stalking areas where spoor have been observed.
When it comes to night hunting, nobody does it better than Hunt24, and we’ve been hunting these tiny antelope for years. With Hunt24, your Sharpe’s Grysbok hunt in South Africa will be an unforgettable experience.
