Hunting a trophy nyala
Hunting Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)
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Best recommended caliber to hunt |
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Nyala |
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30-06, 7mm (all), 300 (all), 308, 338, 375 |
Hunting notes when hunting nyala:
Being part of the spiral horn family of antelope, the nyala is almost as difficult to hunt as its cousin, the kudu. For such a beautiful and large animal, the nyala is incredibly curious. With a shrill caller the nyala cannot withstand the urge to investigate. If the hunter is ready, he can be sure of collecting his trophy not too long after the calling started. This may make hunting nyala sound easy, but quite the contrary!
The bulls move about the bush in a typical kudu manner, with grace, elegance and confidence. On the slightest sign of danger they will depart. The animal has an incredibly soft skin and body hair.
Walking slowly, paying attention to not stepping on twigs and too many leaves will yield the desired results.
The best suggested caliber to hunt nyala with is from the 270 and up. The average shooting distance when hunting nyala is from 50 – 150 yards.
Description:
This is most likely one of the most beautiful of the antelope species of the African continent. The males have long dark gray hair that drapes from below the chin to between the hind legs. A bushy mane stretches from behind the head all the way to the rump. The mane lays flat on the body except when it displays dominance when in the vicinity of other males.
On average there are 8 – 14 vertical white stripes on the flanks that tend to disappear or become less prominent with age. Several white markings are visible on the rump and face. The lower legs are a yellow brown in color.
Females are relatively smaller than the males and are a rusty brown color with up to 18 vertical white stripes on the flanks. When hunting the nyala the hunter must be able to take a shot at an animal that is usually partially obscured by vegetation. A soft-skinned animal, the nyala can be a weary opponent that makes for an immensely beautiful trophy. It is a member of the spiral-horned family of antelope species.
Habitat:
They prefer dry savanna bushveld and along riverfronts.
Reproduction:
A single lamb is born mainly during the summer months of October – January.
General:
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Gestation period |
About 220 days |
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Average shoulder height |
46” |
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Average weight |
Bulls |
240 lbs |
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Ewes* |
130 lbs |
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Horns |
Only the bulls have horns |
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*At nyala is where differentiation starts between rams/ewes and bulls/cows. It is a nyala bull, but a nyala ewe. |
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