Impala

Impala

An impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a medium-sized African antelope. The name impala comes from the Zulu language. They are found in savannas and thick bushveld throughout Africa.

Impala are among the dominant species in many savannas. They can adapt to different environment by being grazers in some areas and browsers in others. They graze when the grass is green and growing and browse at other times. They will browse on shoots, seedpods and foliage.

Impala are active during both day and night and are dependent on water. A herd is normally an indicator of water close by. Impala can thrive in areas where pure grazers can not survive.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Average mass for an Impala is approximately 75 kilograms. They are reddish-brown in color with lighter flanks, have white underbellies and a characteristic “M” marking on its rear. Males have lyre-shaped horns which can reach up to 90 centimeters in length.

STATUS

Impala range widely throughout south-central Africa in great numbers. They make a challenging target and are a beautiful addition to any trophy collection.

WEAPONS USED

Impala are a fairly small antelope. Any rifle suitable for whitetail deer or pronghorn antelope hunting will work well. 6mm, .243 Winchester caliber rifles should be considered minimum for hunting these antelope. They typically inhabit areas of wide open grassveldt as well as plains mixed with wooded cover, so a long range, flat shooting rifle is recommended. Good quality optics are a must as shots might be long or you’ll have to pick an opening through the brush.

For archery hunters, any bow capable of downing a whitetail will work. Pick your shot well, aim low and remember that Impala have an incredible reaction time. If you think whitetail deer “jump the string,” you haven’t seen anything until you’ve watched an arrow fly over the back of an impala!