Kudu Hunting

Often referred to as the 'grey ghost' in many parts of Africa, the elegant kudu is extremely wary, elusive and usually a challenge to hunt.

Kudu Trophy Minimums

Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros (Southern Greater Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
53⁷/₈"	73⁷/₈"	8	121"	131"	2

Tragelaphus strepsiceros bea (East African Greater Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
52"	59⁷/₈"	8	109"	123⁴/₈"	2

Tragelaphus strepsiceros cottoni (Northern Greater Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
42⁷/₈"	50¹/₈"	8	N/A	N/A	2

Tragelaphus strepsiceros chora (Abyssinian Greater Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
N/A	N/A	8	98"	113³/₈"	2

Tragelaphus strepsiceros burlacei (Western Greater Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
N/A	N/A	8	72"	110⁶/₈"	2

Tragelaphus imberbis (Lesser Kudu)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
27	32⁷/₈"	8	62	71⁴/₈"	2

Kudu Facts

Habitat and Requirements

Found in woodlands, scrub, and open forests with reliable water supply.
Although the greater kudus are predominantly browsers, they will on occasion, graze. They are also very susceptible to drought conditions and will be some of the first species to start dying when water runs short.

Social Structure

Herds disperse during the rainy season when food is plentiful, while as the dry season reaches its peak, there becomes a high concentration in favourable areas. Greater kudu are not territorial, although they do have 'home' areas.

Gestation Period

After a gestation period of around 7-9 months, one offspring is born.

Kudu Gender Identification

Bulls have those magnificent spiral horns and are larger and heavier in the body than the cows, who also lack horns.

Kudu Hunting Methods

The most common way to hunt this species is to slowly stalk the likely habitat and look for movement, or occasionally the entire animal.

A Good Kudu Trophy

Horn length - the deeper the curls, the more inches. 2 1/2 to 3 curls with thick bases will make a good trophy.

Kudu Hunting Shot Placement

As kudu shot placement is similar to other antelope plains game species, go to Shot Placement On Plains Game.

Kudu Pictures

(Place cursor over photographs to enlarge)

Southern Greater Kudu

Southern Greater Kudu

Southern Greater Kudu

Lesser Kudu from Masailand

Recommended Viewing

Kudus And Caracals DVD. Kudu are the most sought after of Africa's big game. In South Africa, the Wilsons get 2 huge Kudu including a monster 60 incher. Numerous record book bulls are passed on-camera. 90 mins.