Black Wildebeest Hunting in South Africa

• Also known as White-tailed gnu, the Black Wildebeest lives in the savannas and plains of South Africa.

• The species’ historic range also included the open plains and grasslands of Lesotho, Swaziland, and Free State.

• The most interesting fact about Black Wildebeest is their comeback from near extinction. Only 17 of these animals remained after being eradicated by Mucous Disease.

• Nowadays, these African antelopes are plentiful across South Africa.

• Black Wildebeest hunting is now commonplace on private reserves.

• Historically Black Wildebeest inhabited the northern temperate grasslands during the dry winter and migrated to the arid southern regions during the rainy season.

• When their numbers were much higher naturally in the central plains of South Africa, they never migrated on masse as their close relative, the Blue Wildebeest, still does in places.

• Being very gregarious animals, forming groups consisting of males and females with calves is usually 30 to 500 individuals.

• Also, seen in groups composed solely of females and their offspring or by single males.

• In periods of drought, animals of various groups gather in herds, reaching thousands of individuals. These herds migrate towards the major rivers and lakes across considerable distances.

• Wildebeest is associated with other African animals. These include springbok, impala, and zebras. They may also associate with the ostriches.

• The Black Wildebeest can run up to a speed of 50 mph. They serve as prey for large predators. Predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and cape-hunting dogs.

• The lifespan of the black wildebeest is about 20 years.

• Black Wildebeest require excellent shot placement as they are incredibly tough.

The Black Wildebeest inhabits open plains, grasslands, and Karoo shrublands in steep mountainous regions and lower undulating hills.

A dominant male Black Wildebeest has a harem of females and will not allow other males to mate with them.

They have a dark brown to almost black coat, slightly paler in summer and coarser and shaggier in the winter. Calves are born with shaggy, fawn-colored fur. Males are generally darker than females.

They have bushy manes, the same as the blue wildebeest that stick up from the back of the neck.

Black Wildebeest females are smaller in size and more slender than males. Males reach about 44 to 48 inches at the shoulder, while females reach 42 to 46 inches.

Males typically weigh 309 to 370 pounds and females 243 to 269 pounds.

A distinguishing feature in both sexes is the bright-white tail, which is long and similar to a horse.

Its bright-white tail gives this animal the vernacular name of “white-tailed gnu” and makes it very easy to tell them apart from blue wildebeest, which has a black tail.

Both sexes have strong horns that curve forward, resembling hooks, which are up to 24 inches long.

The horns have a broad base in mature males and are flattened to form a protective shield. In females, the horns are both shorter and narrower.

Wildebeest hunting is mainly on the open plains but also in savanna areas.

Your Black Wildebeest trophy should have an average shoulder height of around 45 inches, weigh about 350 pounds, and have a Horn Length of approximately 20 inches. The Safari Club International minimum score for a black wildebeest is 72.

Trophies are measured by measuring the length along the outside of the horn curl from tip to tip, plus the straight-line width measurement of both bosses for a combined total score in inches.

Black Wildebeest are also known as the White-Tailed Gnu or the “Clowns of Africa,” due mainly to how they tend to run in circles when approached.

Nick Bowker has access to several black wildebeest herds for game hunting. Hunting blesbok and black wildebeest are very similar, with both species out on the open plains.

Anthills are the main hiding point as you try and ambush these plains animals.

As with blesbok, black wildebeest bunch together at stages, so careful communication with Nick Bowker, your professional hunter, is essential.

Black Wildebeest Trophy Hunting is conducted by setting up ambushes looking down valleys, or spot and stalk.

It sometimes takes patience to distinguish the bulls from the cows, with both sexes carrying horns.

Black Wildebeest hunting is best pursued during the morning or late afternoon while the herd is grazing. In cool weather, they will graze anytime but tend to rest during the hottest part.

Black Wildebeest can be very aggressive when mating, disturbed, or wounded. This ‘clown of Africa’ will often trot in circles and chase other herd members.

Big bulls are territorial and often return to their territory shortly after being disturbed by the hunter.

Judging Black Wildebeest trophy quality, it’s essential to look at the boss’s size and the curl’s drop. Also, consider the height of the rise of the tips.

Mature Black Wildebeest bulls will display black hair on their faces and bosses. Red or brown hair is a sign of immaturity.

A very tough game animal to bring down. Bow hunting Black Wildebeest is difficult in a free-range environment.

Black Wildebeest hunting in South Africa on open terrain calls for a flat shooting caliber. Therefore we recommend the flat shooting magnums.

For those hunters who do not wish to go through the red tape of bringing a rifle into South Africa, Nick Bowker Hunting has a Sako carbon light 300 Winchester Magnum fitted with a suppressor.

Mounted on the rifle is a Swarovski DS with a built-in rangefinder. We have hand-loaded Hornady ELD-X 200-grain ammunition. The rifle, including ammunition, is available as part of all hunting packages free of charge.