Duiker vs Mountain Reedbuck vs Steenbok

[Hogpatrol]

IIRC, They make pets out of the females, poop in kitty litter boxes.

 

[slam8031]

I've taken a steen. Great hunt and the skull is on the shelf across from me as I type this! My .02$, take the first one of the three that presents a shot for you!! I think they are fantastic hunts and fantastic trophies!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Klipspringer is also starting to appeal.

You are now on your way to the tiny ten!

 

[cls]

Mountain reedbuck, you may run into a Vaalie in the same area.

 

[IdaRam]

IIRC, They make pets out of the females, poop in kitty litter boxes.

I have heard that as well. In the wild they naturally scape a shallow hole, poop in it and cover it up, so transition to cat litter box is a pretty seamless transition.

 

[ActionBob]

You are now on your way to the tiny ten!

This!

If you want a real challenge to work on over many years/trips... go for the tiny ten! This could be a start. (not the mountain reedbuck). If you are more interested in critters like the mountain and common reedbuck, and Vaal Rhebok... Then start with the mountain reedbuck.

Another consideration, a duiker and/or steenbuck make great full mounts that you can do lots of neat things with, like in a glass case inside a coffee table, a bar, or just a nook in your house. So have them full skinned... Even if you don't want a full mount, you can always have it cut down but never done full if you cape it for a shoulder mount.

 

[IdaRam]

I consider myself very fortunate to have hunted Steenbok, Duiker, Mountain Reedbuck and Klipspringer. All of them are a blast to hunt and I sure hope I get to hunt them all again soon!
Of those four, my two favorites are Klipspringer and Mountain Reedbuck. Mountain hunting is in my blood and these little guys hunted in the Waterburg Mountains of South Africa are a true mountain hunting experience not to be missed!
If you are fortunate enough to take either one, make sure your PH knows you would like to try the meat. Both are excellent! Klipspringer is different than any other meat I have eaten, but Klippy backstaps seasoned and grilled on the braii are simply excellent. Same for Mountain Reedbuck, although it seems a little more similar to an excellent kudu or eland steak. Also excellent.
The Steenbok and Duiker may be more readily available depending where you are hunting.
Good luck! No matter which ones you choose, you will have a TON of fun. This is what is called a “no lose” situation

 

[Philip Glass]

Im really wanting to take a small antelope or two in Africa, but without breaking the bank. Out of:

Grey Duiker
Mountain Reedbuck
Steenbok

Which have you all preferred to hunt and why? What’s the “must have” of the three? Which do you covet most? Which makes the classiest trophy?

Craig Boddington answered my question in his Live talk yesterday and said getting a small antelope is awesome. I’d like to do it on his advice.

I know I’ll hunt Vaal Rhebok someday but for now, one or two of these will have to do. Thanks!

You should always hunt the indigenous animals if you can. The Mtn reedbuck is not found everywhere while duiker and Steinbuck are found all over Southern Africa. That said for me there is no question the Steinbuck is the classiest and prettiest of the three.
Philip

 

[seattlesetters]

You should always hunt the indigenous animals if you can. The Mtn reedbuck is not found everywhere while duiker and Steinbuck are found all over Southern Africa. That said for me there is no question the Steinbuck is the classiest and prettiest of the three.
Philip

I think this ^^^^^ is the advice I’ll follow. Seems from all the excellent posts on this thread that hunting any of these animals is a “no lose” proposition.

Wherever I end up .... Limpopo, Northwest Province or the Eastern Cape, I’ll make it a point to take the first quality example I come across that is indigenous to the area.

I am starting to feel that the little Steenbok is going to be the one I REALLY want to bring home.

I thank everyone for their input. This has been a valuable education for me and I believe this thread is a valuable discussion for anyone who comes to this forum in the future looking for first-timer ideas, as all three of these small antelope seem to be almost universally loved, and reasonably priced.

 

[ActionBob]

I think this ^^^^^ is the advice I’ll follow. Seems from all the excellent posts on this thread that hunting any of these animals is a “no lose” proposition.

Wherever I end up .... Limpopo, Northwest Province or the Eastern Cape, I’ll make it a point to take the first quality example I come across that is indigenous to the area.

I am starting to feel that the little Steenbok is going to be the one I REALLY want to bring home.

I thank everyone for their input. This has been a valuable education for me and I believe this thread is a valuable discussion for anyone who comes to this forum in the future looking for first-timer ideas, as all three of these small antelope seem to be almost universally loved, and reasonably priced.

I would not classify mountain reedbuck as a small antelope, at least not tiny. However they are fantastic critters and in decent numbers in the East Cape.

It was my first African animal. I had a package deal with 3 critters, then a choice of 2 out of 4. So I chose the most expensive and then added the other 2 And told the PH that other than a couple of the most expensive and non indigenous species, anything to good to pass on would be fair game. But I had waited 25 years for this hunt and there really was no budget restraints on PG other than my own conservatism.

Well we sighted in rifles that first morning, drove about 5 minutes and the PH stopped and asked if I was serious about shooting any great trophies. "Yup".... So he smiled and said "well get out and shoot that critter on that big rock up there. Bang, flop.

 

[Nyati]

I have the three, Steenboks are easy, if you are a good shot. They will run away at full speed, then stop and turn around for a few seconds, that´s when you have your chance, at no less than a 100 meters, and they are small.

I shot the Duiker during the night, with a spotlight, nothing to it.

Mountain Reedbuck is another story, you have to chase them in the hills, they are spooky, and shots are generally difficult. I would say the more sporting hunt of the three.

 

[ActionBob]

I must have been in a great area for mountain reedbuck because we saw several opportunities throughout the hunt, including one with an 8" horn on the last day. But only one, and I had a great one from the first day so that old boy got to walk.

I got a good duiker on that hunt as well but that was one of the more challenging animals. They would sit tight untill you almost step on them and then blast off, hopping in different directions.

Then in Mozambique the old tracker called them. That was fun because they come on the run right to you. Quick call by the PH as to shooter or not

 

[Hunting Sailor]

The excitement of hunts done right would be the deciding factor, closely followed with how you like how they look and how you would want to display the trophies.

For me they would be.

1 Mountain Reedbuck
Love the mountains and hills where they typically reside.
I’ve come within shooting position of shootable males twice and shot both. Lovely meat.

2 Duiker
If time is set for dedicated hunts it is a great great hunt.
I’ve shot one, but have stalked many in different areas, makes for an exciting hunt. Decent meat, although not much of it.

3 Steenbok
Have shot one, on opportunity, so not much to say. We spoked him while hunting Springbok in the Kalahari, he ran, stopped and I shot him. Used a 270 with 130gr soft point. Shot on the on shoulder diagonally. Huge destruction to meat and hide.
Not my most memorable hunt, but if you specifically search for a Steenbok I believe it can also be an exciting hunt, walking and stalking It just wasn’t so for me.

Which ever you decide I hope you have an exciting time.

//Gus

 

[enysse]

Eric, are you confusing mountain reedbuck hair with Vaal Rhebuck fur? I can't tell the difference in the hair of my mountain reedbuck and common reedbuck mounts, but the fur on my Vaal Rhebuck feels like soft bunny fur.

You got me there! I think the fur on the orbi and vaal rhebuck are very soft too! I remember when I shot the mountain reedbuck and orbi with the 7mm Rem Mag and 160 Swift A-Frame and saw the puff of fur through the scope. I said to myself, "Oh crap!"

I will hunt for the "Tiny Ten" hopefully, I'm just taking some time off. I would like a red duiker, sharpe's grysbok, suni and dik-dik.

Hopefully my taxidermy that is sitting in Africa shows up...its been sitting there 5 months, finished in a crate TIA

 

[johnnyblues]

Having taken vahl rhebok in the mountains and seeing mountain reedbuck while there my vote is hit the hills!

 

[IdaRam]

Hopefully my taxidermy that is sitting in Africa shows up...its been sitting there 5 months, finished in a crate TIA

I’m sure this is no consolation, but you’re not alone amigo