Gemsbok - free state? (And possibly lechwe)

[Hunt anything]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

 

[DieJager]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

I think you are right but maybe other sources do state it otherwise.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

Probably stocked but they've probably expanded range as well. They are quite the migrators from what I understand.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Probably stocked but they've probably expanded range as well. They are quite the migrators from what I understand.

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

 

[DieJager]

I am not quite sure but I would be surprised if they would have lechwe in an area in SA that is not high fenced. But that is definitely not the same as a recently released pheasant. A CBL lion yes that analogy would fit but there are enough reputable outfitters that have a somewhat self sustaining herd of lechwe.

 

[HookMeUpII]

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

I can't recall, have you been to RSA to hunt?

If you haven't, this is where things get tricky. The outfit I hunted with when I went had properties that were a bit more "domesticated" and then some that were very large, and very wild. The domesticated properties, looking back, were rather small and the animals didn't seem to react as quickly to human presence. Then we hunted 30,000 acre properties that took an hour and a half to drive across and that was only covering one small piece. Those animals you'd see for a second, then gone. We had to put a challenging stalk or two on them there.

Red Lechwe are definitely more put and take outside their range than gemsbok. Lechwe spend most of their time near water. If you see one in the middle of a property without any real appreciative water, they are generally out of their element.

Gemsbok, from what I've seen, adapt a little better. They are more suited to what you'd probably see in Free State. They are tough, generally not that keen on humans (regardless of the property), and will be a little more sporting.

 

[wesheltonj]

Gemsbok are native to the Northern Cape. Huge ranches there. Some ranches may have some Red Lechwe too. Easy flight to Kimberly or Sishen from JNB.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

 

[Hunt anything]

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

A classic example of this is the nyala, they are expanding their range to the west along the Zambezi River but were introduced to the Eastern Cape and many other places in South Africa. Nyala have probably expanded their natural range in South Africa I believe they are native to Kwa-Zulu Natal. If I remember correctly.
I have a book at home that I’ve mentioned in other threads that has all of the species of game animals of Africa plus subspecies and it includes natural ranges and where they were introduced.
I can look up the title and author tonight if anyone is interested.

 

[DieJager]

A classic example of this is the nyala, they are expanding their range to the west along the Zambezi River but were introduced to the Eastern Cape and many other places in South Africa. Nyala have probably expanded their natural range in South Africa I believe they are native to Kwa-Zulu Natal. If I remember correctly.
I have a book at home that I’ve mentioned in other threads that has all of the species of game animals of Africa plus subspecies and it includes natural ranges and where they were introduced.
I can look up the title and author tonight if anyone is interested.

I would be interested for sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I can't recall, have you been to RSA to hunt?

If you haven't, this is where things get tricky. The outfit I hunted with when I went had properties that were a bit more "domesticated" and then some that were very large, and very wild. The domesticated properties, looking back, were rather small and the animals didn't seem to react as quickly to human presence. Then we hunted 30,000 acre properties that took an hour and a half to drive across and that was only covering one small piece. Those animals you'd see for a second, then gone. We had to put a challenging stalk or two on them there.

Red Lechwe are definitely more put and take outside their range than gemsbok. Lechwe spend most of their time near water. If you see one in the middle of a property without any real appreciative water, they are generally out of their element.

Gemsbok, from what I've seen, adapt a little better. They are more suited to what you'd probably see in Free State. They are tough, generally not that keen on humans (regardless of the property), and will be a little more sporting.

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Gemsbok are native to the Northern Cape. Huge ranches there. Some ranches may have some Red Lechwe too. Easy flight to Kimberly or Sishen from JNB.

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

 

[Hunt anything]

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!


Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

Don’t let the “game farm” bother you right away. What we would call a ranch in the states is what they call a game farm. This could mean 1,000 acres or 30,000 acres. Ask you operator the size of the property and you can make an informed opinion to hunt there or not. My 2cents.

 

[UKHunter]

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!


Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

I think if you can’t ask your outfitter that question without questioning if you believe them, you have bigger problems ….

 

[wildfowler.250]

I think if you can’t ask your outfitter that question without questioning if you believe them, you have bigger problems ….

The thing is , you would never know. Just have to take things at face value . I guess this is the difference between RSA and say, western hunting in the states. If the animals aren’t farmed full stop then it removes any doubt. But I appreciate your point

 

[Hunt anything]

One tale tell sign is if you see cow herds with a mix of calves and young bulls mixed in .
If you see nothing but mature bulls, ask lots of questions.
Here is the title and author of the species and distribution book. I was going to post their black wildebeest maps of historical range and present introduced range but didn’t want to go afoul of copyright laws

 

[codofish]

Red lechwe, springbok, and black Wildebeest all from the Orange Free State. I had them measured and I think all three were gold medals but I never sent the paperwork in. The lechwe is a really good one.

 

[UKHunter]

The thing is , you would never know. Just have to take things at face value . I guess this is the difference between RSA and say, western hunting in the states. If the animals aren’t farmed full stop then it removes any doubt. But I appreciate your point

If you have an outfitter you have vetted well and trust, that is the key. In terms of how long game has been in an area - that specific to the area you will be hunting. Game may have been in some parts of the free state for 50+ years in some areas and introduced recently in others. So, these are questions which only your outfitter can answer - set out your expectations with them. They are the only one who can truly answer your questions here.

In general, I would say if you have picked a reputable and trustworthy outfitter then dont over think things. Set out your expectations and then trust them to ensure they meet them. I feel like if you agonize or other think every detail and aspect of your trip you run the risk of not actually enjoying the journey and experience as you will constantly be worrying. Just my thoughts, everyone is different.

 

[HookMeUpII]

The thing is , you would never know. Just have to take things at face value . I guess this is the difference between RSA and say, western hunting in the states. If the animals aren’t farmed full stop then it removes any doubt. But I appreciate your point

There are some folks on here that are very against the "game farm" model in RSA. They are pretty vocal about it and are indeed entitled to their opinions. As @Hunt anything said, it's very different in Africa. It's similar (but different) than Texas. As he said, a game farm in Africa might be something you can drive across in 5 min or as I mentioned, take 2 hours and that's just a straight line. The seem to be more of the latter. There are vastly different experiences. There is literally shooting something up against a fence. There is also brutal multiple hour stalks across changing elevation, terrain, and thorns. There is put and take as well as sustaining populations. For example, where I shot my kudu, we saw everything from yearlings, to young females, to young males, and obviously...a few bulls.

I am also just giving you my opinion, which you know the saying: Everyone has them and they all stink. For me, I feel red lechwe, given there very small range and specific habitat, don't really fit well into a lot of properties there. Okovango Delta, Caprivi, etc. are all their hallmark habitats. If you're up near the Limpopo River to the north, that's a bit more fitting for them.

You 100% should talk with your outfitter. My first safari I went in about 75% blind. I did have a great experience and 4 out of my 5 animals all provided a challenge to take. What I would say is 1) don't overthink it too much and 2) don't be too hard on yourself. Do the prep in terms of shooting, gear, and practice. With that, do have a convo with your outfitter on what you are looking for.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I personally wouldn’t pursue either in the Free State due to my desire to hunt animals where they’re endemic rather than introduced. If either are an animal you want to hunt and you’re not sure you’ll get to hunt there again, then I say go for it. You can always hunt them again in Namibia if you make it there.

I personally have no issues with the high fence ranch/game farm model so long as the animal species on them are self sustaining. Seeing all males would be an instant red flag. I prefer free range and wild areas, but don’t look down on the fenced farms of South Africa or other places. I prefer larger properties, and that’s now something I make sure to ask a perspective outfitter, especially in South Africa. Don’t let the idea of fences deter you from hunting in Africa, many outfitters avoid their fence lines, have large properties and still do it right, but use the fences for protection of their investments and income.