Hartebeest

Red Hartebeest

The Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a grassland antelope found in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. It is one of the three species classified in the genus Alcelaphus. The hartebeest is a large antelope that at first glance seems strangely put together and less elegant than other antelopes. However, being one of the most recent and highly evolved ungulates, it is far from clumsy. In fact, it is one of the fastest antelopes and most enduring runners. These qualities gave rise to its name, which means “tough ox.” Its sedentary lifestyle seems to inhibit the mixing of populations and gene flow; as a result, there are several subspecies of hartebeest.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Hartebeest stands almost 1.5 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and weighs anywhere from 120-200 kg (265-440 lb). Male Hartebeest are a dark brown color while females are yellow brown. Both sexes have horns which can reach lengths up to 70 cm (27 in). Hartebeest live in grassland and open forest where they eat grass. They are diurnal and spend the morning and late afternoon eating. Herds contain five to twenty individuals but can occasionally contain up to three hundred and fifty.

STATUS

Although a prolific breeder and even a dominant species in some areas, the hartebeest has probably suffered the greatest reduction in range of all African ruminants. This is both because it is easily hunted (being relatively sedentary), and because its diet is almost equivalent to that of cattle—it must compete for food resources.

WEAPONS USED

Hartebeest are a fairly large antelope, and tough. .270 caliber rifles should be considered minimum for hunting these antelope and .30 caliber would be even better. However, because they typically inhabit areas of wide open grassveldt as well as plains mixed with wooded cover, a long range, flat shooting rifle is recommended. At least a 30-06 or 7mm Winchester Magnum, preferably a .300 Winchester Magnum and a heavy, bonded or partition bullet will work. Any of the larger calibers with good optics are good choices.

For archery hunters, any bow capable of downing a whitetail will work. Pick your shot well, aim low and angle your cut on contact broadhead further forward into the chest cavity than with North American game and these beautiful and tough antelope will go down.