Hunting ostrich
Hunting an Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
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Best recommended caliber to hunt |
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Ostrich |
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243, 270, 308, 30-06, 375 |
Hunting notes when hunting ostrich:
This is the only animal (bird) that could have better eye sight than the baboon. Not many ostrich are hunted with the result that they are not all that unaccostomed to humans. And they are as dumb as people perceive ostriches to be! When hunting ostrich it is mainly hunted for the leather
A body shot usually puts the bird right down. Smaller calibers like the 243 work very well when the shot is placed right in the chest where the neck joins the body. The males have the front part of their lower legs go red when they are ready to mate. This makes them irritable and dangerous.
They usually do not run too far when startled and will present a shot soon after running away.
The best caliber to use when hunting ostrich is from the 243 and up. The average shooting distance on these birds is from 70 – 90 yards.
Description:
Males have black feathers and females gray feathers. Males are on average 5 – 7% heavier than, and 15% bigger than the females. Feathers on the wing tips, tails and collar are white.
Habitat:
Ostriches appreciate dry grass plains that vary from the semi-desert Kalahari, Karoo, coastal dune veldt and grasslands to sub-tropical savannah. Open short grass areas are preferred. Water is not essential but they will drink if it is available.
Reproduction:
The main breeding season is from June to the end of January while some couples will breed any time of year. Both the males and the females become exceedingly aggressive during the breeding season. 5 – 10 days after copulation the female will lay 12 – 16 eggs that hatch after 42 days.
General:
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Gestation period |
42 days for the eggs to hatch |
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Average head height |
Males |
80” – 110” |
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Females |
80” – 92” |
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Average weight |
Males |
220 lbs – 300 lbs |
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Females |
220 lbs – 280 lbs |
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Horns |
No horns and no trophy value |
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