Oryx Hunting

The gemsbok is a member of the oryx antelope family and is a spectacular trophy to hunt. Pay particular attention to the gender differences as it is fairly easy to get it wrong.

The gemsbok has exceptionally long, almost straight horns which are heavily grooved and a dark face-mask.

Oryx Trophy Minimums

Oryx gazella gazella (Gemsbok, Southern Oryx)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
40"	49¹/₂"	7	80"	90⁶/₈"	1

Oryx gazella callotis (Fringe-eared Oryx)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
30⁷/₈"	43³/₈"	7	60"	74²/₈"	1

Oryx gazella beisa (Beisa Oryx)
RW Minimum	RW Record	RW Measurement Method	SCI Minimum	SCI Record	SCI Measurement Method
30⁷/₈"	43"	7	70"	81¹/₈"	1

Oryx Antelope Facts

Habitat and Requirements

The oryx prefer dry scrubland, semi-desert shrub-vegetation, semi-arid open savannah as found in the Kalahari and arid grassland. Woodlands are used only for refuge.
They are not dependent on surface drinking water.

Social Structure

Oryx are primarily herd antelope forming family groups sometimes accompanied by a bull, batchelor herds of bulls of all ages and larger mixed herds.
Solitary territorial bulls may be found.
Oryx herds are nomadic covering large distances.

Gestation Period

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

Oryx Gender Identification

Notoriously difficult to tell the sexes apart unless the udder or scrotum is visible.
Males are a little larger and more heavily built.
The male horns are thicker but often shorter and blunter.
Apart from telling the sexes apart it is difficult to tell if an animal is a youngster unless there are other gemsbuck around with which to compare it. Standing alone, a young gemsbuck appears as an exact replica of a mature gemsbuck.

Oryx Hunting Methods

Walk and stalk in the likely habitat.

A Good Oryx Trophy

Horn length, thick bases and symmetry will all go to make a good trophy.
The females often outdo the males in horn length.You will have to decide whether to take a female or not for the sake of horn length.