Thoughts on "Frankenstein" Species?

[Tundra Tiger]

Absolutely positively different strokes for different folks. Whatever makes your heart go pitter-patter.

I'll be honest. In prepping for my first trip to Africa I knew a little about color variants but not a lot; this thread has been educational.

We were following buffalo sign through some scattered brush along a dry ravine. A black impala busted out and it seemed to me a very pretty animal. For some reason when a half dozen more followed that ram my enthusiasm ebbed ever so slightly.

That said, another hunter/future friend in camp with me shot a golden wildebeest, and there was one in the group when I shot my bull blue. They could surely be a consideration on trip 2. As with so many things, beauty remains in the eye of the beholder. Done legally and ethically... it's all good. Happy post turkey day folks.

 

[Jaegger]

Not to many Hunters hesitate when color phased black bears - cinnamon or blonde break from the tree line! All black bears & no ‘doping from man.’

I was blessed to take a nice Golden Wildebeest this Sept & next trip - Black & White Flanked Impala. It’s Mother Natures color palette + spices up a trophy room …

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Personally I think they're a complete crock of shit. But while ever there are people willing to pay a premium for them, the selective breeding will continue...

 

[Daktari]

I've learned a lot from this thread thank you everyone. I never knew Golden Wildebeest occurred in nature and have a new found respect for them.

 

[Daktari]

Actually they are all natural variations and have been observed since Africa was settled. The massive springbuck migrations of years past always included some odd ones. The golden gemsbuck in Namibia, like many color variants, were usually shot by the farmers as they felt they were inferior. So fast forward to today and instead of culling them all as strange, people have chosen to breed them, preserve them, and enjoy them. Attitudes have changed but it seems some have chosen to ignorantly disparage them as something man made. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We should not criticize others for wanting to hunt and enjoy these animals. If folks don’t like them then don’t hunt them!
Regards,
Philip

Well said thank you for shedding light on something I didn't know.

 

[Cam Moon]

My take:
Yes, they occur naturally, BUT they are getting more and more available, and it IS due to selective breeding. I don't think anyone can really dispute that. So some people say they don't agree with hunting them because they are "less natural" lets say. Ok. Fair enough. So they are hunting in the East Cape and bag an absolutely beautiful (plain/natural/common colored) Gemsbok. It's a truly amazing animal with striking markings and massive horns, and they are pleased as punch. Then they are perusing AH and see that someone took a really nice Golden Gemsbok while hunting in the Kalahari. So, tell me...who shot the natural animal, and who's was due to humans' intervention?

 

[UKHunter]

Hello, what are y'alls thoughts on what I call the "Frankenstein" species such as Golden Wildebeest, Black Impala, etc that were specifically bred for being a different color variation? I feel like it cheapens the beauty that Africa has in bounds and unnecessary.

I think the deliberate breeding of ‘variants’ makes a mockery of the sport. I accept that there are natural variations though.

 

[Ragman]

I used to be pretty critical of the colour variants but have somewhat changed my view over the years. Having seen some of them (golden wildebeest, white Blesbok and black springbok) I can see the appeal although I still find the common varieties more attractive. Especially the springbok…the common coloured animals are just gorgeous. If the different coloured animals of the same species were priced equally I would gladly hunt them, but I just won’t pay more for an animal just because it’s hair is a different colour, unless it’s horns are too big to pass up!