Gemsbok Hunting in South Africa

Gemsbok or Oryx Trophy Hunting is available in South Africa. Both males and females carry long spear-like horns, aggressive and very dangerous when injured or threatened. There are no seasonal restrictions on Gemsbok in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Nick Bowker Hunting offers gemsbok trophy hunts year-round.

The Gemsbok is indigenous to South Africa and Nambia. Males and females make spectacular trophies. Gemsbok Hunting is conducted using ambush techniques in open country and spot and stalk techniques.

Shot placement should be on the bottom third of the shoulder for gemsbok hunting.
Shot placement for Gemsbok

Table of Contents

  1. Gemsbok Hunting Cost
  2. Interesting Facts About Gemsbok
  3. Difference between Male and Female
  4. About the Gemsbok
  5. Gemsbok Hunting in South Africa
  6. Trophy Judgement and Rifle Calibre
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Gemsbok Hunting Cost

The average cost of a Gemsbok is $1500. African safari hunting packages often include a Gemsbok Trophy.

All-Inclusive $4000 Starter Plains Game Package for seven trophies and eight days hunting. (Inclusive of a Gemsbok Trophy)

Included in the Gemsbok hunting package is a licensed hunting guide. As well as a hunting license and all permits.

Gemsbok hunting in South Africa
Client receiving gemsbok shoulder mount in the United States after successful African hunt.

The Gemsbok in Pictures

Local African names.
Gemsbok on arid terrain. There are various methods of hunting gemsbok in Africa.
Gemsbok on dry plains. Gemsbok are able to minimise water loss.
Gemsbok trophy hunted. Gemsbok have very good eyesight.
Horn growth formation over time.
They use their horns in territorial combat and as lethal weapons against predators.
Bull in dry landscape.These are  desert dwelling animal that prefers deserts, scrubland and brush land.
Shoulder mounts. Both males and females have spectacular horns.
Mothers and young. Calves are hidden for 6 weeks.
Distribution across South Africa.

Interesting Facts About Gemsbok

Gemsbok hunting in Africa Safari style with Nick Bowker.
  • The straight, rapier-like horns are used in territorial combat and as lethal weapons against predators.
  • Moreover, they can kill lions.
  • Gemsbok minimizes water loss through sweat by increasing their body temperature to an astonishing 45°C and dissipating the stored heat at night.
  • Consequently, overheating is averted by a filigree of blood vessels in the nose, known as the carotid rete, through which all the blood that passes to the brain is circulated and cooled.
  • Exoctic hunting for Gemsbok is available in the Texas hill country and other US states.
Gemsbok hunt
Gemsbok hunting in South Africa with  Nick Bowker
  • A slow metabolism allows these antelopes to survive throughout the year without drinking in the Kalahari desert.
  • They get the moisture they need from their food, for example, the desert melons that they dig up in drought times.
  • After giving birth, a female hides her calf for 3–6 weeks, remaining nearby and visiting a few times a day to nurse.
  • The calf’s pale brown color works as camouflage.
  • Gemsbok hunting in Southern Africa’s arid regions was conducted by bow and arrow and was an important food source. Gemsbok is hunted safari style in Africa.
Giant gemsbok trophy

Difference Between Male and Female

Males and females present very low sexual dimorphism (physical differences between males and females) and are almost identical in appearance. This is most notable because both males and females have horns, though the males are shorter and thicker. In contrast, female horns are longer and thinner and tend to curve backward.

Gemsbok has evolved this reduced sexual dimorphism to facilitate more extended acceptance of juvenile males by the older territorial males. As a result, this has allowed the Gemsbok to survive better in vast empty spaces where finding mates can be a severe challenge. In contrast, the nyala, for example, exhibits very high sexual dimorphism.

Old male in the long grass. Males horns are shorter and thicker
Old gemsbok male
Female horns are longer and thinner and tend to curve backward.
Female Gemsbok

About the Gemsbok

Description of Gemsbok

Gemsbok hunting in Africa Safari style with Nick Bowker.

Widely hunted safari style for its spectacular horns that average 33 inches in length.

They use their horns to defend themselves and their young from predators. The males use their horns to protect their territories from other males.

Unusually, gemsbok hunting is one of the few antelope species where female trophies are sometimes more desirable than male ones.

Gemsbok is light brownish-grey to tan in color, with lighter patches toward the rump’s bottom rear. Their tails are long and black.

A blackish stripe extends from the chin down the lower edge of the neck and through the juncture of the shoulder and leg along the lower flank of each side to the rear leg.

The Gemsbok has very muscular necks and shoulders, and their legs have white ‘socks’ with a black patch on both front legs.

The face is black with white marks, and the tail is long and black.

A rough coat with coarse hair, predominantly khaki.

Gemsbok stands about 47 inches at the shoulder. Male Gemsbok can weigh between 400–530 pounds, while females weigh 220–440 pounds.

Females isolate themselves from the herd before giving birth. After giving birth, a mother gemsbok hides her calf for about 3 to 6 weeks.

Gemsbok hunting in Africa Safari style with Nick Bowker.

Information for Gemsbok hunting

African gemsbok hunt with Nick Bowker.

This differs from most antelope species, whose young travel with the herd almost immediately.

The mother remains close to her concealed offspring and visits them daily for her calf to suckle.

New-born are colored in an inconspicuous brown, blending with their environment.

Their black and white face markings won’t appear until it is ready to join the mother’s herd. It will continue suckling until it is 6 to 9 months old.

The social structure of the Gemsbok is different from most other antelope species.

Other antelope in the area, like blesbok, employ a harem system where one dominant breeding male controls a group of females and young. Bachelor males form separate herds or hold a particular area.

On the other hand, gemsbok form mixed herds of both males and females.

Sparring contests that may escalate into fights serve to maintain the hierarchy in the herds.

These fights are likely to start due to competition for resources, such as females in estrus or a water hole.

Our packages include the Gemsbok and other desirable trophies such as sable antelope, nyala, kudu, and black wildebeest.

South African gemsbok safari with Nick Bowker.

Gemsbok Hunting in South Africa

Vital organs. Horn length should be approximately 33 to 36 inches.
Vital organs of a gemsbok

Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Avoid head and neck shots, which are high-risk.

Africa hunting Gemsbok with Nick Bowker.
Africa hunting with Nick Bowker.

Your Gemsbok trophy should have an average shoulder height of around 46 inches, weigh about 500 pounds, and have a Horn length of approximately 36 – 38 inches. A record class is Gemsbok, which is over 40 inches.

The minimum score under Safari Club International for Gemsbok is 81. Add the length of each horn and the circumference of the bases to get your SCI score.

Males and females make spectacular trophies. Both sexes carry long spear-like horns. Gemsbok can be highly aggressive and dangerous when injured or threatened.

Gemsbok hunt in 2023.

Gemsbok has been introduced into the Eastern Cape and is not genuinely free-ranging. We have an outstanding herd available on the Olivefountain hunting ranch.

Standard cattle and sheep fences are a partial impediment to the movement of a gemsbok.

Warthog holes provide the ideal escape plan for the Gemsbok. They flatten their horns and go through the warthog hole.

Gemsbok is common across the Eastern Cape. Hunts are conducted using ambush techniques in the open country and spot and stalk techniques.

South african gemsbok safari.

Trophy Judgement and Rifle Caliber

Rifle Calibre for Gemsbok Hunting

Africa gemsbok hunting with Nick Bowker.

This open country will demand one of the flat shooting rifle and scope combinations. Gemsbok is alert with excellent eyesight, hearing, and smell; your stalk needs to be carefully planned.

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.

Africa hunting. Gemsbok hunting with Nick Bowker.

Trophy Judgement for Gemsbok Hunting

Gemsbok hunted in the Eastern Cape South Africa

The humped shoulder can result in a high shot. Therefore, follow the front leg’s backline to about one-third into the body.

Never shoot above the horizontal midline of this beautiful antelope unless you require a good day’s hike.

Remember that the cow’s horns tend to be long and often out-score the bull when assessing the trophy. Remember that the body size differs remarkably from one Gemsbok to another.

Hunting gemsbok will provide a fabulous trophy; its meat is one of the most delicious on the African continent.

Hunting gemsbok safari style with Nick Bowker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Africa gemsbok hunting with Nick Bowker

How much does it cost to hunt a Gemsbok?

South African gemsbok safari.

The trophy fee for a standalone Gemsbok hunt is between $1200 and $1800. Daily rates vary between $250 and $500 per day.

Included in the Gemsbok trophy fee is a licensed guide. As well as a hunting license and all permits.

Gemsbok trophy is often included in a plains game package. Package prices vary from $3,000 – $10,000, depending on location and size. Packages include 5 – 7 trophy animals, accommodation, meals, and daily rates.

How to hunt Gemsbok?

Gemsbok hunt in 2023.

Gemsbok is hunted in a mixture of plains and bush.Hunts are conducted using ambush techniques in open country and walk and stalk methods where cover is available.

Where do you shoot a Gemsbok?

South african gemsbok safari.

Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Avoid head and neck shots, which are high-risk.

What is a trophy, Gemsbok?

Africa hunting. Gemsbok hunt with Nick bowker.

Gemsbok trophies have a Horn Length of approximately 36 – 38 inches. The minimum qualification score under Safari Club International for a Gemsbok is 81. Add the length of each horn and the circumference of the bases to get your SCI score.

Males and females make spectacular trophies. Females have longer horns.

How do you judge a Gemsbok trophy?

Client with a Gemsbok hunted in South Africa.

In assessing the trophy, remember that the cow’s horns are longer than the male’s and often out-score the bull. Remember that the body size differs remarkably from one Gemsbok to another.

Also, mature bulls will stand out in the herd and be more visible in horn length and shoulder height.

Africa hunting. Gemsbok hunting with Nick Bowker.
Safari style hunt.

Seasonal Restrictions

When can you hunt Gemsbok in South Africa?

Gemsbok low fenced African Hunting

There are no seasonal restrictions on gemsbok hunting in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Gemsbok harvested in 2023.

References:

Smithers RHN – The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion

Endangered Wildlife Trust – Gemsbok

Animal Corner – Gemsbok

Travel for Wildlife – Gemsbok Facts