Thomson’s gazelles are hunted in Tanzania’s Masai Steppe during the official safari season from July through December. Because they feed and rest on open plains, stalking them is challenging: hunters glass from vehicles, identify a mature ram, then dismount and use whatever cover is available to approach. Tommies possess exceptional eyesight and hearing, so shots are often taken at long range after a careful crawl through short grass. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best opportunities, and hunts are typically combined with other East African plains game.

Although still relatively numerous (about 207,000 individuals remain), Thomson’s gazelles have declined roughly 65 % since 1970 due to habitat loss and subsistence hunting. They are often found on ranches and farmland where they graze on short grasses and are vulnerable to being shot or snared for meat. Conservation organisations work with governments and communities to establish wildlife corridors and promote sustainable agriculture that minimises habitat fragmentation. Regulated trophy hunts in Tanzania operate under strict quotas and licence requirements, channelling revenue into anti‑poaching and habitat management programmes.