Typically found in the northern parts of Southern Africa, the roan antelope is fairly large for its species. The spread of game ranching has allowed the roan antelope to be seen in formerly inaccessible areas.
The antelope’s moniker, “roan,” comes from the fact that its coat takes on a faint strawberry hue under certain lighting conditions.
“Bastergemsbok” (bastard gemsbok) is an Afrikaans name that refers to the animal’s face design, which resembles that of a gemsbok, although on the whole the sable more closely resembles this gorgeous and regal antelope.
When it comes to the “horse antelope clan,” this sieable member is second in size only to the eland, and it is much more graceful than that lumbering old ox-like beast. There are horns on both bulls and cows, but the horns on the females are thinner and shorter.
The roan antelope usually travels in groups of five to twelve animals, however larger herds do occur. Long-lasting friendships help keep the herd together. The dominant bulls protect the herd’s cows from any other bulls that might try to steal their territory.
In response to these challenges, the bulls kneel down and push and shove each other while clashing horns at full volume. While these fights may seem serious, they usually end when one participant gives up.
However, both bulls can easily kill each other in a fair fight if they refuse to back down. If a hunter goes too close to a roan antelope, the animal’s formidable horns will sweep backward, potentially injuring him or her.
The roan is primarily a grazer, thus it prefers grassy savannas with lots of open space. When grass becomes limited, they revert readily to browsing, a habit not shared by their relative the sable. As a result, they tend to stay in better condition than the sable during times of poor grazing.
The roan is highly dependent on water and may therefore usually only be found in or near a body of water. Do not go hunting for roan antelope without the proper equipment, as these animals are large, strong, and hostile. Find their tracks near the watering holes, then ambush them as soon as daylight allows.
The roan is an impressive trophy to add to any hunter’s collection, and the hunt itself is an adventure that will be remembered fondly for a long time.
When hunting roan antelope, it’s important to avoid getting caught in the powerful horns’ rearward sweep. If you see a roan roaming the savanna, don’t allow its serene grace to deceive you; if the roan is injured, it can turn violent and pose a serious threat.
Roan antelope congregate in the afternoon at watering holes and early morning in the broad veldt to feed. Though bulls are often confident and friendly, they can become aggressive and charge at you, using their horns as a weapon.
Your guide will tell you to bring plenty of ammunition and powerful weapons due to the formidable size of the roan antelope. African roan can be legally hunted using rifles of the.260/7mm/.300 calibres, but for a 600-700 pound animal, a .338 class magnum would be the preferable choice.
Look for a bullet with quality construction, such as the Barnes 300 grain Triple Shock or the Nosler 300 grain Partition.
Before going on any hunt, it’s important to consult with your professional hunter for advice tailored to your personal package and the species you hope to bag. When injured, a roan can be a dangerous animal.
The ideal side presentation, like with other antelope species, is a shot of the heart or lung located about a third of the way up the body from the front leg. If you prefer a spinal or neck shot, shoot the roan where the body joins the neck; if you get a full frontal target, shoot the roan dead in the chest.
The male African roan antelope has a reputation for being haughty and will often stare you down as you approach. The African roan bull is a swift and dangerous adversary, so again, approach an injured bull with caution.
The standard length for an African roan trophy horn is 25 inches. Anything over 26.5 inches is considered a good trophy. In terms of trophy value, a set of horns of 27.6 inches or more is considered exceptional for an African roan hunt.
The roan antelope you’re hunting can be surprisingly resistant to rifle fire. Large, hardy, and often aggressive, trophy roans can be a threat to humans. Though the bulls may seem intimidating at first, they are actually rather friendly and easy to get close to. That said, you should remain vigilant and be ready at all times in case they decide to charge.
Years of experience have given Hunt24 the expertise to safely and successfully hunt roan in one of our stunning, wildlife-rich concessions. Our expert hunters are among the best in the world, and they will take great care of you while they lead you on a hunt for a roan trophy. We will be travelling to the Free State and Kalahari for our roan hunt in South Africa to provide you with a genuine rarity for any collection.
