Blue Wildebeest Hunting in South Africa

• Blue Wildebeest got its name as their coat has a blue sheen.

• There are around 1.5 million living in the Serengeti alone! They are widespread in many areas of Africa.

• Their primary defense from predators is living in a group. Wildebeest stick together and move in herds to be safer.

• They can run up to 40 mph, which is pretty fast! Although unfortunately for them, they are not as fast as lions or cheetahs.

• They migrate to Kenya and Tanzania as many as 1000 miles each year, which is a distance that would take around 20 hours to drive.

• They have a dangerous migratory route; during their migration, they cross two rivers – both of which are crocodile infested.

• Wildebeest spend, on average, 53% of their time resting (32% lying down and 21% standing).

• Often called the brindled gnu because of its coloration with dark bands over its shoulders and flanks give it a brindled appearance.

• The Gnu term refers to the sound it makes a “Gnuuu”.

• They also have pedal glands in between their toes, which are used by raking the ground (sometimes forming bare patches of soil), after which the scent is transferred to the earth, thus marking its territory.

• The Blue Wildebeest’s cousin, the Black Wildebeest, was once nearly extinct.

• Blue Wildebeest hunting – can be added to any of our African hunting packages.

Information for blue wildebeest hunting

The blue wildebeest is primarily active during the morning and late afternoon, with the day’s hottest hours spent in rest.

These extremely agile and wary animals can run up to 40 mph, waving their tails and tossing their heads.

They usually rest close to the herd and move about in loose aggregations.

Males form bachelor herds, distinguished from juvenile groups by the lower activity and the spacing between the animals.

Around 90% of the male calves join the bachelor herds before the next mating season and become territorial at four or five years.

Mature male wildebeest will actively defend and mark their territory utilizing scent markings.

With specially modified glands under the eye called preorbital glands, they will rub against trees, leaving a scent, thus marking his territory.

Description of Blue wildebeest

A robust muscular appearance. The face, mane, and tail are black with a bluish appearance—dark vertical stripes on the neck and flanks.

The blue wildebeest males are larger and darker than females. The average height of the species is 45–60 inches.

While males weigh up to 400 pounds, females seldom exceed 300 pounds.

Both sexes possess a pair of large horns shaped like parentheses.

These extend outward to the side and then curve upward and inward. In males, the horns can be 30 inches long.

Despite being an antelope, the blue wildebeest has some bovine characteristics. For example, the horns resemble those of the female African buffalo.

Further, the stocky build and disproportionately large forequarters give it a bovine appearance.

Your blue Wildebeest trophy should have an average shoulder height of around 58 inches, weigh about 350 pounds, and have a Horn length of approximately 25 – 27 inches.

The Safari Club International minimum score for a blue wildebeest is 70.

Trophies are measured by measuring the length along the outside of the horn curl from tip to tip, plus both bosses’ circumferences for a combined total score in inches.

Blue Wildebeest, also referred to as the poor man’s buffalo – not only in looks but for sheer brute strength once hit.

These animals can travel up to 200 yards with a well-placed heart shot.

When hunting blue wildebeest, always try to position yourself for the side-on shot; aim up the back edge of the front leg and place the shot about four inches above the point of the elbow.

This ‘high heart’ shot will take heart and lungs; the animal will rock to the shot and probably go down within 50 yards.

The Blue Wildebeest or common Wildebeest is hunted by spot and stalk.

If your shot placement is not entirely on the mark, be very cautious in your follow-up.

This animal can be hazardous when wounded. Approach a downed wildebeest from the ‘offside with great care, as he can get up and charge.

A very tough antelope. The prominent hump on the shoulder and the mane may often lead to a body shot placed too high.

In our open country, the flat shooting .300 magnums with a 200-grain bullet, we believe, is the best choice.

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

The rifle is mounted with a Swarovski DS with a built-in rangefinder. We have hand-loaded Hornady ELD- X 200-grain ammunition.

This setup, including ammunition, is available as part of all hunting packages free of charge.

It is vital to look at the size and hardness of the boss to assess the trophy quality of a blue wildebeest. Also, the curl of the horn must be beyond the tip of the ears.

Mature bulls display black or darkened hair between their bosses and on the front part of their heads and not red or brown hair, a sign of immaturity.