Bushbuck are compact, spiral‑horned antelope that inhabit dense thickets along rivers and in mountain kloofs across sub‑Saharan Africa. Although relatively small, they are exceptionally tough and have a reputation for being aggressive when wounded. Pursuing a mature ram through tangled riverine bush is an invigorating challenge and has captivated generations of hunters.
The most common method of hunting bushbuck is a slow still‑hunt along riverbeds or through thick coastal bush. Guides search for fresh tracks and likely “bushbucky” areas, then settle down and watch for movement during mid‑morning or late afternoon. These antelope are browsers that sun themselves in small openings near water; a hunter may wait an hour or more for a ram to step out, offering a fleeting shot. Because they are known to charge when wounded, bushbuck should be approached with caution and respect.
Bushbuck taxonomy is complex. Numerous subspecies have been described, but modern classification recognises a handful of regional forms. The Cape and Limpopo bushbuck inhabit South Africa and Botswana; the Chobe subspecies occurs along the Zambezi drainage in Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; the Nile and harnessed forms occupy parts of west and central Africa. Menelik’s (Abyssinian) and East African bushbuck are found in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Regulated hunting provides funds that support anti‑poaching efforts and research on these elusive antelope.
Bushbuck can be encountered while pursuing other plains game, but dedicated hunts require persistence. Trophy fees vary widely across Africa because quotas and licence structures differ by country. Hunters typically use medium‑calibre rifles to ensure quick, humane kills; bullet placement is critical to avoid losing the animal in dense cover. An old ram’s horns, sweeping gracefully back over his shoulders, make an elegant trophy.
Bushbuck can be found in the following location:
Bushbuck has the following variations:
- Harnessed Bushbuck
- Nile Bushbuck
- Abyssinian Bushbuck
- East African Bushbuck
- Chobe Bushbuck
- Limpopo Bushbuc0k
- Cape Bushbuck
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