One of three species of medium-sized antelopes (family Bovidae) found in sub-Saharan Africa’s grasslands and marshes, the reedbuck belongs to the genus Redunca.
Reedbucks are identified by the circular glandular area located just below each ear and the curved horns (on males only) that point forward; the horns of the bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca) and the mountain reedbuck (Redunca nebulosa) are the shortest (14-41 cm [6-16 inches]) and the most hooked.
The antlers of the southern, or common, reedbuck are 30-45 cm long and less hooked. The mountain reedbuck is the smallest of the three species at 65-76 cm (26-30 inches) in height and 19-38 kg (42-84 pounds) in weight, while the southern reedbuck is the largest at 50-95 kg (110-210 pounds).
The male is 10-20% larger than the female and has a thicker neck and more pronounced markings, including a white throat patch and white underside to his bushy tail. Each of the southern reedbuck’s forelegs is marked with a black stripe.
The mountain reedbuck has a uniformly greyish brown coat, while the southern reedbuck is tan to brown to yellowish brown, and the bohor reedbuck is a bright yellow.
The mountain reedbuck is the only of the three species that doesn’t need water as long as there’s plenty of green vegetation to eat.
Every one of the three reedbucks uses vegetation as a shield from potential predators. Protected, they become more active during the day and can be seen grazing in the open at all hours.
Reedbuck are prey for wild dogs and spotted hyenas because their overdeveloped hindquarters make them better at starting out quickly and jumping high than they are at maintaining a high rate of speed while running.
When startled into fleeing, reedbucks make a high-pitched whistling noise. Males may use these cries to proclaim their dominance over a given area and will often perform them in harmony with their partners.
The social structure of reedbucks is intermediate between that of solitary or monogamous antelopes found in closed settings like woods and the polygynous social structure of antelopes found in open habitats like savannas. Most southern reedbucks are part of monogamous pair-bonds.
Males of the polygynous bohor reedbuck will protect areas that span the home ranges of multiple females and their young.
Herds of mountain reedbucks typically include of three to eight females and their young, and the males in the group each have their own territory. Both southern reedbucks and bohor reedbucks exhibit herding behaviour after fires destroy their habitat.
Females and their offspring may often congregate in brief herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, to protect themselves and one another from predators. After being abandoned by their mothers, male bohor reedbucks form tiny bachelor herds to socialise with one another.
The horns of the mountain reedbuck are shorter than those of the common reedbuck but are still curled forward at the points, making this species easy to identify. A trophy set is one that exceeds the length of the buck’s ears.
These mountain dwellers often gather in small groups of three to six individuals, consisting up almost entirely of females and young.
Rams tend to congregate in bachelor groups or be solitary until they are actively courting. This wariness and curiosity could work to the hunter’s benefit, as these males are not easily frightened.
The mountain reedbuck is nocturnal and hence spends much of its time in the early morning and late evening. Targeting mountain reedbuck from a distance is recommended because to their difficulty to approach on foot.
The vast majority of these antelope can be shot with a .270 calibre rifle. It is recommended that you use quality expanding bullets in the 130-175 grain range. Aiming for the shoulder is the most effective method of anchoring this expert climber, so be careful if you don’t want to spend all day climbing.
Reedbuck can be hunted throughout the year in South Africa. During the months of May through August, this species is most easily hunted in the provinces of Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Mpumalanga, where it can be found warming oneself in the early morning sun.
Late in the season, between August and November, is the best time to go hunting in the provinces of Limpopo, Northwest, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, as these animals often descend the mountain to the more exposed artificial waterholes at the base of the hills and mountains for drinking.
If you’re going hunting in a hilly grassland environment, make sure to spend some time glassing the rocky peaks. The slightest shift in motion can be enough to give a hunter a heads up about animals lurking in the rocks.
Whether shooting upwards from a low perspective point or downwards from a high viewing point, the next step is to go in close for the kill. These creatures are easier to hit with a bow in the drier regions of the country.
The bowhunter has two options: either ambush the game as it approaches the watering hole, or shoot it from a blind perched above water.
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We can arrange a reedbuck hunt that will be both thrilling and fruitful, providing you with a trophy of unparalleled quality. We frequently travel to South Africa’s Limpopo, Free State, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Zululand regions in search of reedbuck.
