Southern Reedbuck

Reedbuck

The Southern Reedbuck, or Common Reedbuck, (Redunca arundinum) is an antelope, found in Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and northern South Africa. Southern Reedbucks live in valley and upland areas, where they eat grasses and reeds. Old Southern Reedbuck males are territorial, living with a single female, which they follow at all times to prevent it having contact with rival males. Females and young males are usually solitary, except in the dry season, when they sometimes form herds of up to twenty individuals out of necessity. They are diurnal, but inactive during the heat of the day.

The Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) is an antelope found in mountainous areas of much of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Mountain Reedbuck lives in thick mountainous forest, where it eats grasses and leaves. It forms herds of around five individuals, including a single mature male. Adolescent males are forced out of their herds and form small bachelor herds. In the dry season, the Mountain Reedbuck sometimes forms herds of up to thirty individuals. They are diurnal, but inactive during the heat of the day.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Southern Reedbucks average 85 centimeters at the shoulder, and weigh around 70 kilograms. They have gray-brown coats with a white underbelly and black forelegs. Males have ridged horns of around 35 centimeters, which grow backwards and then curve forwards.

The Mountain Reedbuck averages 75 centimeters at the shoulder, and weighs around 30 kilograms. It has a gray coat with a white underbelly and reddish-brown head and shoulders. The male has ridged horns of around 35 centimeters, which curve forwards.

STATUS

Both types of reedbuck, which are not as wary as many other types of antelope, have been widely hunted. Loss of habitat to land development has significantly reduced the number of reedbucks, however their status and value as a game animal has many game managers working to increase their populations and is not considered in danger.

WEAPONS USED

Reedbuck of either species are small antelope and not hard to kill. Use a .243 Winchester or 6mm cartridge. A .270 or larger caliber is certainly not “over gunning” when hunting reedbuck and long shots are a distinct possibility, so a good scope is highly recommended.

For archery hunters, any bow capable of downing a whitetail will work.