Hartebeest Hunting

Hartebeest are large antelope with high shoulders, long, thin legs and elongated heads. They are very alert and prefer open, flat areas, so be prepared for quite a long shot.

Hartebeest Trophy Minimums

Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii (Coke's)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
187/8" 24" 7 50" 562/8" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus major (Western Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
221/2" 283/4" 7 60" 695/8" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus lelwel (Lelwel's Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
23" 275/8" 7 60" 682/8" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus caama (Cape, Red Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
23" 291/2" 7 59 684/8" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteini (Lichtenstein's Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
181/2" 243/8" 7 53" 643/8" 5
Damaliscus korrigum korrigum (Senegal Hartebeest or Korrigum)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
23" 331/8" 7 58" 663/8" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei (Swayne's Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
167/8" 203/4" 7 N/A 45" 5
Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei x lelwel (Neumann's Hartebeest)
RW Minimum RW Record RW Measurement Method SCI Minimum SCI Record SCI Measurement Method
N/A N/A 7 51" 581/8" 5

Hartebeest Facts

Habitat and Requirements
  • They prefer the edges of open plains and selectively graze on medium-high grasses.
  • If the grazing is fresh or they can eat tubers, they are not particularly water-dependent.

Social Structure
  • Hartebeest are typically found in family groups with one dominant male, batchelor herds and all female herds.
  • There is a strict ranking between the males, though the herd changes with frequent comings and goings.
  • Old bulls which are past their prime are to be found on margins of the habitat.

Gestation Period
  • After a gestation period of around 8 months, one offspring is born.

Hartebeest Gender Identification

  • Male hartebeest are a dark brown colour while females are yellow brown.
  • Both sexes have horns.
  • Horn thickness and heavy bases are indicators of a male hartebeest. Females can have just as long horns but they are generally thinner.

Hartebeest Hunting Methods

  • Walk and stalk in the likely habitat.

A Good Hartebeest Trophy

  • Horn length, thick bases and symmetry will all go to make a good trophy. Evaluate from the side and front if possible.

Hartebeest Hunting Shot Placement

Hartebeest Pictures

(Place cursor over photographs to enlarge)

hartebeest 1hartebeest 1
Coke's Hartebeest hartebeest 2hartebeest 2
Red or Cape Hartebeest

More African Game Animals

Cape Buffalo | Lion | Leopard | Elephant | Rhino
Hippo | Crocodile
Bushbuck | Kudu | Nyala | Eland | Sitatunga | Bongo
Sable | Roan
Waterbuck | Kob | Lechwe | Oryx | Wildebeest | Hartebeest | Tsessebe/Topi
Blesbok | Reedbuck | Impala | Gerenuk | Springbok | Rhebok | Puku
Gazelle | Duiker | Dik-Dik | Steinbok | Grysbok | Oribi | Suni | Klipspringer | Bate's Pygmy Antelope
Baboon | Warthog | Bushpig | Forest Hogs | Cheetah | African Small Cats | Civet/Genet/Ratel | Hyena | Jackal | Ostrich | Porcupine/Fox/Hyrax | Monkey
Giraffe | Zebra

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