Hunting trophy black wildebeest
Hunting Black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnu)
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Best recommended caliber to hunt |
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270, 30-06, 7mm (all), 300 WSM, 300 WM, 308, 338, 375 |
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Hunting notes for black wildebeest
Hunting black wildebeest who are endemic to South Africa is an interesting affair. As soon as the hunter has been seen they run away, sometimes in circles, stop and then turn around to face the perceived danger. Many years ago the black wildebeest was almost hunted to extinction until hunters got together and started protecting them. As a direct result of this, the black wildebeest numbers have recouperated to the extent where they are off the endangered species list.
The best suggested caliber for hunting black wildebeest is from a 270 and up. Other calibers in the same class will be equally as effective, depending on shot placement. Average shooting distance will be in the region of 150 – 200 yards, and once-in-a-while slightly further.
Walk-and-stalking one of these Clowns of the Prairie is an interesting matter in the open plains of central South Africa. One usually looks for some dead ground, a tree or the crest of a hill from where a suitable shot can be taken.
The bulls are distinguished from the cows by the size of the boss. Bulls have much more weight on their horns than the cows.
One of the interesting aspects with these animals is that they have two small knobs on the back of their rump, which are most likely muscle beneath the skin and nobody seems to know what they are for. Ground shrinkage in terms of body size always occur: they seem much larger on the hoof than in the flesh.
Another interesting aspect is they are hosts of the Nasal Botfly. The nasal bot fly survives in the nasal passage in a larvae form until ready to be excreted when the animal sneezes. The larvae find their way into soft soil where they submerge and move on to become pupae. When the fly emerges it flies to find another host to complete the life cycle. Other South African game animals that are hosts to the bot flies are blesbuck, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, Lichtensteins hartebeest and tsessebe.
The face is covered with brush-like hair plumes protruding outward. Long hair occurs on the throat and chest and an upright mane round off the front of the body. Sometimes referred to as the white tailed gnu, the tail has long bushy white hair not too different from that of a horse.
Affectionately known as the Clowns of the Prairie as these herd animals have entertaining habits when being observed, frequently leading to laughter from the observers.
Description: Black wildebeest
The color is more dark brown than black, but from a distance the black wildebeest presents as a black animal. The shoulders are higher than the rump and it has a broad snout and large head. The black wildebeest invariably has ground shrinkage in terms of body size. When on the ground the body presents much smaller than on the hoof. When hunting black wildebeest in open terrain, the hunter must be weary of not accidentally wounding other animals behind the intended target.
Habitat:
It prefers open plains but has successfully been introduced to semi-arid regions with wooded areas.
Reproduction:
Calves are mostly born during summer (mid-November to end December) but births can differ from region to region.
General:
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Gestation period |
About 250 days |
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Average shoulder height |
48” |
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Average weight |
Mature bull |
330 lbs – 350 lbs |
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Mature cow |
220 lbs – 250 lbs |
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Horns |
Bulls and cows |
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