The Vaal Rhebok is a medium-sized antelope with grey-brown fur that is thick and woolly. While running away in its signature rocking horse gait, its white underbelly and underside of his tail flag conspicuously. They can effortlessly leap over very tall barriers because of their skill as jumpers.
The horns, which are only found on males, stand up and are sharply pointed. This sets them apart from their close relative, the reedbuck. The herds can have as many as 12 members, including the male, females, and young. Solitary males often display territorial behaviour.
The rhebok will graze at all hours of the day, taking brief naps when needed, but will rest in the shade during the hottest part of the day. The herd is constantly on the lookout for potential threats, and will quickly scatter if one is spotted. The rhebok’s natural predators are the leopard, caracal, and, when they are young, the jackal, baboon, and eagle.
Due mostly to the broad small population distribution, Vaal reedbuck are not as numerous as many other plains game species in South Africa. They populate the Drakensberg Mountains, the Free State / Eastern Cape boundary, and the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Lesotho is home to a dispersed population as well, but hunters there have had bad luck tracking these creatures down because of the harsh landscape and towering mountains.
Hours of glassing mountain peaks and slopes, hiking up and down mountains to get into a good position to locate one of these mountain residents, and then moving to get a decent shot can be difficult for even the most seasoned hunter in high altitude places with thin air. In some ways, the arduous pursuit of these creatures is offset by the stunning scenery of the South African mountainous terrain.
Even though the total length of the horns is the best sign of a Vaal Rhebuck’s trophy quality, the animal’s ears, which rise to a height of around 6 inches when the animal is alert, are the best indicator of its condition in the field.
Horns that extend at least an inch above the skull base make for excellent trophies. These creatures are best taken with a flat-shooting calibre, such as a 7mm rem Mag or larger.
All hunts for Vaal reedbuck are conducted using the walk-and-stalk method. Vaal rhebuck are found on the grassy slopes of rocky mountains, so you’ll have to trek quite far to find one.
Check your rifle’s setup carefully. Taking one of these rare African antelope will require long shots and, in some cases, a single opportunity. This is the hardest kind of hunting in Africa.
Depending on the terrain you’re hunting in, you can expect an average shooting distance of 100 to 200 yards or more. Generally speaking, a 2-12X50 rifle scope will do the trick. If you plan on going on regular open plains animal hunts, you should buy a high-quality gun sight.
Hunt24 provides an unmatched Vaal reedbuck hunting experience by sending only the most skilled and knowledgeable professional hunters to the most prolific hunting terrain in South Afria.
We can arrange a Vaal reedbuck hunt that will be both thrilling and fruitful, providing you with a trophy of unparalleled quality. When we go on mountain reedbuck hunts in South Africa, we frequently visit the provinces of Limpopo, Free State, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Zululand.
