What is your favorite plains game animal to hunt

[Bsto270]

I would bet guys going over zebra is a 50/50 with most but that goes up to 80/20 once guys see them but I do know guys who will not hunt one. I love hunting zebras myself.

I think a mtn reed buck for your first time is a better value then a vallie. As for nyala not sure how much free range nyala they have compared to natal but not a value target for first time on a budget.

I did forget one of my favorites and they take some good ones down in the cape. Waterbucks are a fun hunt and they are just great animals.

I had heard that about waterbuck actually. I am unsure how my first zebra sighting would go. I guess with the cash in pocket it could very well be a crapshoot. If money was no object to speak of, I would love to shoot a Lechwe.

 

[BWH]

My bushpig was a totally gnarly experience. Up in a tree at night over bait. Eland gave us a hard ass hunt... for a week. Eland is going to rank at the top for me. For being the size of a VW bug, they can sure run, hide & jump!

 

[Bsto270]

My bushpig was a totally gnarly experience. Up in a tree at night over bait. Eland gave us a hard ass hunt... for a week. Eland is going to rank at the top for me. For being the size of a VW bug, they can sure run, hide & jump!

I am intrigued by anything that can be described as a gnarly experience lol.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Eland.............it was a real track meet and a lot of ground covered to take this wonderful trophy. Can't wait to see it on the wall of my man cave in a year or so.

 

[curtism1234]

It's certainly personal choice and what you plan on doing with the animals, if anything. I personally don't like the looks of a springbok and would sub it out of possible. If not possible, I would not have it mounted. That's me, you're different.

You know you're going once, what you don't know is if you're ever going again...because things happen. So I would try to knock out your Must Haves.

For me, first time Must Haves would look like: Impala, Kudu, Zebra, and Waterbuck with many others being 2nd tier Like To Haves (now you have to sort out that order). The Gemsbok is right up there (higher than Waterbuck for me) but they are in New Mexico and cheap to hunt once you draw a tag. Of course that's a once in a lifetime tag and going back to the previous paragraph...

If you're looking at doing mounts, I think it's always good to know what size a shoulder mount is ahead of time. A lot of these little antelopes are smaller than you think and would surprise or disappoint you.

 

[Bsto270]

It's certainly personal choice and what you plan on doing with the animals, if anything. I personally don't like the looks of a springbok and would sub it out of possible. If not possible, I would not have it mounted. That's me, you're different.

You know you're going once, what you don't know is if you're ever going again...because things happen. So I would try to knock out your Must Haves.

For me, first time Must Haves would look like: Impala, Kudu, Zebra, and Waterbuck with many others being 2nd tier Like To Haves (now you have to sort out that order). The Gemsbok is right up there (higher than Waterbuck for me) but they are in New Mexico and cheap to hunt once you draw a tag. Of course that's a once in a lifetime tag and going back to the previous paragraph...

If you're looking at doing mounts, I think it's always good to know what size a shoulder mount is ahead of time. A lot of these little antelopes are smaller than you think and would surprise or disappoint you.

This is some good advice for sure. I actually have always wanted to do Gemsbok, but just like you said, would happily do it in NM. In addition, my current home is not set up to even do a skull mount (which is what I am doing with most, except the Kudu. If my wife gets one we would likely do a pedestal) of one. I am quite intrigued by the smaller antelopes of Africa. Not quite up to going full on pursue the tiny 10 yet, but I have done a lot of research into sizes of animals.

 

[cpr0312]

Tough call. Not pursuing all of them at this point, I can only draw on my experience. I would say kudu and Nyala

 

[Boela]

I would recommend Bushbuck all day long.

And thereafter it will be tough call to make between a Zebra, Kudu or Blue Wildebeest.

It is always a great experience to hunt a big animal, but what a Bushbuck lack in physical size, they sure make up with in attitude.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I just returned from my first safari 3 weeks ago and I took Kudu, Zebra, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok and warthog. They where all fun to hunt and I would do it again in a heart beat but I had the most fun hunting the McDonalds of the savanna, Impala and Blesbok. Due to the large number of both animals you can be very picky about which one you take, once you find the one you want the hunt is on, trying to stalk close to either one of these animals is a real challenge especially the Blesbok.

 

[Ridge Top Ranch]

Big Warthogs! Then Zebra...

 

[Bsto270]

Big Warthogs! Then Zebra...

My wife wants a big warthog! The kudu is her number one but she thinks the big old warthogs are awesome.

 

[Bsto270]

I just returned from my first safari 3 weeks ago and I took Kudu, Zebra, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok and warthog. They where all fun to hunt and I would do it again in a heart beat but I had the most fun hunting the McDonalds of the savanna, Impala and Blesbok. Due to the large number of both animals you can be very picky about which one you take, once you find the one you want the hunt is on, trying to stalk close to either one of these animals is a real challenge especially the Blesbok.

I am seriously considering, for the price, taking one or both of the two. One that my wife threw into the mix that she would be happy to take given an opportunity is Steinbok

 

[Ragman]

I have only been on one African hunt which was in Namibia. The species I was able to take were Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Impala, Steenbok, Warthog and Baboon. Out of that group, the Gemsbok and Hartebeest were my favourite to hunt...really fun to try to spot and stalk the herds.

On my next hunt I am thinking the Eastern Cape of South Africa as well and my three "must haves" are kudu, bushbuck and springbok. Then the "would like to haves" would be blue and/or black wildebeest, blesbok, zebra and mountain reedbuck. Nyala, waterbuck, klipspringer, vaalie and eland as well, although they would take more $ saving. If I returned to Namibia, definitely Mountain Zebra (and kudu).

But who's kidding? I want to hunt all the Plains Game South Africa and Nambia have!

 

[Bsto270]

I think Klipspringer are neat little antelope. Only thing is I cannot recall if they require an extra permit and or export paperwork in RSA.

 

[Nyati]

My favorite...the next one.

From those already on the wall, I would say the bushbuck, or the eland

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

This is a hard question to answer as I get a kick out of even hunting impala. But I would put Kudu and Bushbuck at the top of the list.

That said, I wholeheartedly agree that if you have a chance at a Vaal Rhebok, you should take it. If your PH points at one and encourages you to take it and you don't, you will regret that at some point be it 5 minutes or 5 years later.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Be careful about how you use your list. There is certainly nothing wrong with having a list and you sort of have to have one to some degree to keep the spending in check. But let your list be a bit flexible and avoid putting pressure on yourself because you just have to have that BigBadBeest or your hunt will be ruined or even lessened. If your chasing Kudu and its just not happening for whatever reason and then a big Waterbuck or Eland or something else you hadn't thought of taking presents itself to you, maybe take it. I guess what I'm saying is sometimes letting the hunt come to you is the better way to go. You only get so many trips to Africa in your life, so make sure you enjoy it and not ruin that enjoyment because your list didn't quite work out. Besides if there's something you go home without that you wanted, it's an excuse to go back!

 

[Bsto270]

I fully agree with being flexible. I am unsure on how flexible an outfitter tends to be after one books a custom package like that based on a trophy list. I am hoping to be able to roll with what Africa presents me

 

[curtism1234]

Be careful about how you use your list. There is certainly nothing wrong with having a list and you sort of have to have one to some degree to keep the spending in check. But let your list be a bit flexible and avoid putting pressure on yourself because you just have to have that BigBadBeest or your hunt will be ruined or even lessened. If your chasing Kudu and its just not happening for whatever reason and then a big Waterbuck or Eland or something else you hadn't thought of taking presents itself to you, maybe take it. I guess what I'm saying is sometimes letting the hunt come to you is the better way to go. You only get so many trips to Africa in your life, so make sure you enjoy it and not ruin that enjoyment because your list didn't quite work out. Besides if there's something you go home without that you wanted, it's an excuse to go back!

On the same note though, don't get talked into taking something you don't really want. Just because you're looking for a zebra and the world's largest hartebeest is standing in front of you doesn't mean you have to shoot it. It could take a lot of recovery time and waste the day. You only have so much time there.

 

[buck wild]

Seems the intent of your post was pick one PG animal If so, and I could only pick one- KUDU !! Followed by a close second with bushbuck. Ok I cheated and worked 2 onto the one list !!!