The blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) is a striking species native to India that was introduced to Argentina a century ago. Males weigh 75–120 pounds and are distinguished by their spiralling horns and dark‑and‑white pelage. Herds thrive on the open pampas and are now free‑ranging across parts of La Pampa and Buenos Aires provinces. For hunters, the challenge lies in stalking a wary buck across open country while avoiding detection.
Blackbuck hunts typically involve glassing large fields and then using terrain features and the wind to approach within shooting range. On ranches near La Pampa and Buenos Aires guides lead hunters through dunes and low hills, selecting the biggest buck before setting up for a shot. Because these antelope are diurnal, hunts take place in the cool mornings and evenings when herds feed; shots must be taken quickly as blackbuck are alert and quick to bolt. There is no closed season, but May–June and the winter months offer peak activity.
Blackbuck are an exotic species in Argentina, so management focuses on balancing population growth with ecological impact. Healthy herds on private ranches provide income that incentivises landowners to maintain open grasslands and prevent the antelope from expanding into cropland. Provincial regulations require hunters to obtain licences and emphasise harvesting mature males while leaving females and young to propagate the herd. Since blackbuck have few natural predators in Argentina, hunting helps keep numbers within carrying capacity and protects agricultural interests.
Blackbuck live in harem groups; dominant males guard females while bachelor males graze nearby. In Argentina’s temperate climate they breed year‑round, so there are always hard‑horned bucks available. The species’ keen vision and flight response demand careful stalking and sometimes crawling approaches. Many outfitters offer blackbuck hunts as part of combination packages with doves, wild boar or axis deer.
Blackbuck Antelope can be found in the following location:
Blackbuck Antelope has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
