Hunting a blue duiker
Hunting blue duiker (Cephalophus monticla)
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Best recommended caliber to hunt |
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Duiker – blue |
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375 with a solid round as it does the least damage to the trophy, 12 ga, 410, 17 cal |
Hunting notes when hunting blue duiker:
Hunting the blue duiker requires true patience. The blue duiker is a very secretive animal seldom seen by anyone. One of the accepted ways of hunting the blue duiker is by making use of beaters who chase the second smallest antelope into the open where the hunter can shoot it with a 20ga, 12ga or 410 shotgun. The average shooting distance when hunting blue duiker is between 20 and 30 yards.
Another hunting method for blue duiker is by calling and making use of extremely good camouflage from where the hunter can take a shot with extreme slow movement. Building a hide (also known as a blind) along one of the many trails is also an accepted hunting method for blue duiker.
Description:
The blue duiker has a dark blue-gray color that can vary to a dark rusty brown with a lighter under carriage. There is no contrasting white under carriage, which blends in effectively with the dark shadows of the dense vegetation it prefers. The only trait that makes it visible is the incessant, quick wagging of the tail of which the under side is a bright white.
Habitat:
The Blue duiker has very specific requirements for habitat, with the result that it is localized and only occurs sporadically. They require permanent overhead cover with interspersed open areas for sunlight. They are not dependent on water sources, but more dependent on permanent shade.
Reproduction:
There is no specific mating season and lambs can be born any time of the year. Rams and ewes mate for life and the ewe will bear her first lamb after 20 months. Males become sexually mature after 13 months and females after 10 months.
General:
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Gestation period |
210 days or three lambs in two years. |
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Average shoulder height |
Males / rams |
Rams 11” |
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Females / ewes |
ewes 12”
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Average weight |
Males / rams |
8,5 lbs |
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Females / ewes |
10 lbs |
Additional information:
With its shoulder height of 11” and weight of 8,5 lbs it is the smallest of the 19 Africa duiker species. It is the second smallest antelope after the Royal antelope (Neutragus pygmaeus) found in Guinea and Nigeria.
