The red hartebeest is an unusual-looking antelope with a long, narrow face, a pair of glaring eyes that resemble those of a goat surrounded by a tuft of hair, and crooked horns. Its back is a ruddy brown colour, its head, neck, shoulders, thighs, and tail are black/brown, and its lower rump is an off-white colour.
The only discernible difference between the sexes is that males have longer horns and a more robust physique.
They are incredibly fast runners, capable of achieving speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and maintaining this for considerable distances.
Since red hartebeest derive all the water they need from the vegetation they eat, they can survive in arid environments.
Up to 20 individuals can make up a herd, which can consist either females with young, male-only with a territory and harem, or bachelor herds made up of males who are either too young or too elderly to maintain a territory.
If the herd is spread out, one member will always keep watch from a vantage point, such as a termite mound, and sound the alarm if danger is nearby.
Although lions are the red hartebeest’s primary predator, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas all pose a threat to newborn calves.
At times, especially during mating season, territorial males may resort to violent conflict in defence of their territories. Each hartebeest uses its horns to try to interlock with its opponent’s horns and knock it off balance during a fight.
When threatened, they will gallop in a bouncy manner, lifting all four feet off the ground by about half a metre, giving the impression that they are either floating or moving at a glacial pace. This behaviour is meant to alert the predator that they are cognizant of his presence and to display their physical prowess, so be on the lookout!
From October through December, cows give birth to their young in secluded areas apart from the rest of the herd. After a few days of hiding, the calf will join the rest of the herd. Around 8 months of age is when calves are weaned and begin interacting socially with the rest of the herd.
This ‘beest’ is a particularly bizarre-looking creature, earning it the nickname of the “Harley Davidson” of the antelope group due to the arrangement of its horns. The unringed, smooth portion of the horns follows the same line as the face and exaggerating its length.
The horn bends forward a little bit before making a sharp turn back toward the tips. Both sexes carry these very unique horns, however, the bull’s are much heavier, especially at the base.
Disturbing the hartebeest causes it to run away, revealing its white rear end. When the hartebeest takes off, its long face bobbles up and down, exaggerating its unique rocking horse action.
Red hartebeest hunting requires a patient approach. Being naturally curious, red hartebeest frequently cause the herd to halt mid-flight so that they can all look about and take stock of the environment. This fatal mistake will allow you to take your shot.
The hartebeest has a powerful herd instinct and typically travels in groups of 20 or so, however hundreds have been recorded at times. The bulls are fiercely territorial and will defend their turf at all cost. With no herd bull around, the reins of authority will be temporarily given to an adult cow.
The hartebeest is a savanna animal that thrives in open areas. While it may be found in the sparse bush area, the hartebeest avoids the dense bushveld. Primarily a grazer, it is devoted to ‘red grass’ and will sometimes browse on leaves.
Glassing from a high vantage point is the first step in successfully hunting a red hartebeest. Finding hartebeest in the open is not too difficult. Plan an ambush near the entrances to a cool refuge, as it will seek shelter there during the warmest hours of the day.
When on the prowl for red hartebeest, it could be worthwhile to check any nearby salt flats or mineral licks.
A flat-shooting rifle is essential for hunting red hartebeest. The .270 Win with a premium 130-grain expanding bullet should be regarded the minimum. A 7mm gun with a 140 gramme bullet that has a high ballistic coefficient (aerodynamic bullet) is probably the best choice for hunting red hartebeest.
With regards to the 30 calibres, the .308 Wi, 30-06, and 300 Mags with solid 165-180 grain bullets shine if correctly sighted in. Be mindful of those ‘humped withers’ when hunting red hartebeest, since they have prompted more than one experienced hunter to shoot too high.
With a side-on presentation, aim squarely up the rear line of the front leg, never more than midway into the body. This unique antelope has a neck that’s a little too skinny for a good shot.
When hunting red hartebeest, if you have a frontal shot, aim for the shoulder joints, but only fire if the animal moves its head up or to the side. Hunting red hartebeest can net you a truly unique trophy and offer you an interesting discussion piece once it is mounted on the wall.
Stalking at dawn or dusk, when red hartebeest are most active, is your best bet for a successful hunt. The expert hunters at Hunt24 have years of experience hunting red hartebeest, and the hunting areas themselves are incredibly diverse and teeming with animals.
The Free State, the Kalahari, the Eastern Cape, and even the Limpopo region are all potential destinations for a red hartebeest hunt with Hunt24.
