Hunting a trophy steenbuck
Hunting Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris)
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Best recommended caliber to hunt |
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Steenbok |
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17 cal, 223, 243, 270, 308, 30-06, 375 with a solid round |
Hunting notes when hunting steenbuck:
Steenbuck are solitary animals, only teaming up with a member of the opposite sex when it is time to mate. This makes them somewhat of a difficult character to find. One of the easier ways of finding this member of the Tiny 10 is to walk along a road. Steenbuck seem to be partial to open areas where they can see danger approaching much easier. The hunter can then move off the road in to the shrub on the side and start a stalk. Keeping an eye out for other animals that can warn the steenbuck, the hunter should be able to stalk it to within shooting distance. Hunting steenbuck is not a case of point-and-shoot.
Steenbuck are not dependant on water and derive almost all of their moisture requirements from their food source.
The best reccommended caliber for hunting steenbuck is a 375 using a solid bullet. Other calibers will do the job, starting at a 222 and up. A 17 caliber also works just fine.
The average shooting distance when hunting steenbuck is between 50 – 80 yards.
Description:
The steenbuck is one of the smaller antelope species of southern Africa. It is a loner and only teams up with another member of its specie during the mating season.
It is an elegant antelope with large eyes, rusty brown on the upper body with a white belly. It has a white stain on the throat and around the eyes. It has a very short, rusty brown tail.
When hunting other animals, one will frequently come across the steenbuck. They make beautiful pedestal- and full body mounts, as they do not take up a lot of space. When hunting the dainty little steenbuck, the hunter should be weary not to use too much gun. The best caliber for hunting steenbuck would be any caliber that allows for using a solid bullet. The solid bullet causes very little damage to the cape and the rest of the body.
Habitat:
Open areas are preferred with at least some form of cover.
Reproduction:
A single lamb is born usually during the wet summer months of November – January.
General:
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Gestation period |
About 170 days |
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Average shoulder height |
20” |
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Average weight |
Males / rams |
22 lbs |
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Females / ewes |
20 lbs
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Horns |
Only the males have horns |
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