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Bushbuck Hunting

Don't be surprised if this tough little spiral-horned antelope gives you a hunt that you'll never forget, over and above many other animals. Also don't be surprised if you find yourself asking for it to be skinned as a full mount.

Bushbuck Trophy Minimums

Tragelaphus scriptus decula (Abyssinian Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
13³/₈"	19¹/₂"	8	25"	32⁶/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus massaicus (East African Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
16"	19¹/₄"	8	34"	41¹/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki (Menelik's or Arusi Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
11³/₈"	15⁵/₈"	8	29"	37⁷/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus ornatus (Chobe Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
14"	18¹/₂"	8	33"	41⁴/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus powelli (Shoan Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
11¹/₄"	14⁵/₈"	8	N/A	N/A	2

Tragelaphus scriptus sylvaticus (Cape Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
15"	20³/₈"	8	31"	39⁶/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus bor (Nile Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
13³/₈"	18³/₄"	8	29"	32³/₈"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus scriptus (Harnessed Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
11³/₄"	17¹/₈"	8	25"	33"	2

Tragelaphus scriptus roualeyni (Limpopo Bushbuck)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
N/A	N/A	8	33"	42¹/₈"	2

Bushbuck Facts

Habitat and Requirements

Their habitat is usually extremely thick riverine bush that will have small open glades.

Social Structure

They are solitary animals with a home range, but are not territorial and may live and feed close to other bushbucks.

Gestation Period

After a gestation period of around 6 months, one offspring is born.

Bushbuck Gender Identification

Males have a darker colouration than the females, resulting in a more striking differentiation between their white stripes and spots.
Males are slightly larger than females and have horns with one twist that do not curve like many other antelope species.

Bushbuck Hunting Methods

The most common way to hunt this species is to slowly stalk the riverine areas and look for movement, or occasionally the entire animal. This method is considerably less effective than still hunting.
These antelopes are browsers and they like to sunbathe in those small open areas between the thick bush. Just walk the suitable areas close to dry or nearly dry riverbeds and look for 'bushbucky' areas. Once located, leave the area to settle down and then return later. Best times seem to be around 9 - 11 am or 3 - 5 pm. Lay out in a discreet position that allows a good view and shooting angle. Usually within an hour or so, an older ram will wander into the area for a bit of easy feed and some sunshine.
This antelope should be treated with caution, especially when wounded. They're brave and those pointy little horns can sever your femoral artery with one sweep.