Why the high trophy fee for Waterbucks?

[Nyati]

Waterbuck is one of my favorites, I shot one in 2009 which measures 30,7 in , I paid 1.232 € for it.

I find the price reasonable.

 

[TOM]

Having shot two waterbuck, I am with the original poster. They are a very neat animal with unique headgear, but pretty expensive to hunt. I have my two and won't need another anytime in the foreseeable future.

 

[billc]

I think the waterbuck is a great trophy.I shot one around 30" and will not take another but glad to have the chance at the one i got.It is on the list for my son though.He thought it was a great trophy animal.Very beautiful animal in the wild and was very fun stalking him on the hillside.I think hard for most people to take a wtaerbuck for the dollar since a kudu is even more beautiful and normally cheaper then what most charge for a waterbuck

 

[sestoppelman]

Agree with Eric here. I lost the first waterbuck I ever shot at in RSA in 2009. Only thing we could figure was a high chest shot above the lungs and below the backbone. The shot knocked him down but up he got and off he went. Bullet was a pass thru but quickly dried up. Late in the day so we bagged it till next morning but never found him. Painful! I did get one in Zim this past summer and the fee was $1500 US.

I have no problem with the price....as long as it isn't over $2400 US dollars. To me they are priced antelope, elegant and beautiful. To get one over 28 inches, takes a lot of time hunting or good luck. For me personally, I think they are notch just below kudu, as far as must have in Southern Africa. To me, the waterbucks shot in the 24 + inch range...the trophy fee is usually too much, but it's a law of supply and demand. But the price for a heavy 28 + incher is well in line of the other game.

Yes, I think the bushbuck and nyala are pretty...and to get one with really long horns takes time and hunting the right area were habitat is favorable for them. And they are a way different hunt, than hunting waterbuck. Waterbuck can fill a whole pick up truck back up. A bushbuck or nyala are a lot smaller. Make a error in judgement, when shooting a waterbuck and you will never find him. A bushbuck or nyala can be shot with a 270 Win and they are not going anywhere fast.

I think waterbuck are pretty adaptive to their environment, where the nyala can't be transplanted everywhere.

 

[enysse]

Thanks Scott, I don't get people getting worked up over waterbuck trophy fees at all, I just mounted mine from RSA on the wall, last night, and all I can think is WOW, WHAT A BEAST!

 

[Calhoun]

The Water buck is another animal that keeps going up in price. It must be supply & demand as well as the time to grow big ones. That is the one animal which was my achilles heel last time I went to Africa - the one animal I really wanted and never got!