The eland is one of many African plains game species found across the continent. While other antelope have more impressive markings or bigger horns, none quite match the aura, presence, and satisfaction of hunting the mighty eland. Across many indigenous African cultures, the eland is seen as a symbol of strength, courage, freedom, and even sacrifice. One fable tells of how an eland sacrificed itself by jumping into a fire, sparing a young girl’s life, and breaking a deadly drought.
A game hunting safari for the eland is a way to truly experience the process and intricacies of hunting in Africa while surrounded by some of the continent’s most beautiful and famed landscapes.
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The Mighty Eland
Like many game hunting breeds, the eland finds itself split into a set of subspecies under one banner, and these two eland variants can be found spread across the numerous destinations home to plains game hunting in Africa.
Each of these eland species is famous in their own right and offers an experience that is both enjoyable and rewarding, regardless of the chosen species and location.
Cape or Common eland (Taurotragus Oryx)
The second largest antelope in the world can be found in Africa’s semi-arid, savannah, and grassland areas where shrubs and acacia trees thrive as food sources. Common eland aren’t the biggest fans of dense woodland, or forest-type environments, hence keeping to Africa’s drier areas. The Common eland isn’t known for being territorial and can sometimes be found in herds of around 500. These herds further split into groups of males, females, and a mixed group of juveniles and their mothers; around 24 hours after birth, the young eland is expected to be up and ready to join the herd.
There are slight differences that need to be noted about the common eland, depending on the game hunting region. Eland in the northern regions have differentiating physical markers like leg garters and a crest along the spine, while those in the southern regions (mainly the bulls) have vertical white stripes along their sides. Both genders grow spiral-shaped horns that present as tiny stubs at birth. These horns can reach a spiraled length of around 26 inches regardless of sex.
The common eland is not the speediest of antelope, and while they can maintain a 14 mph trot, a top sprint speed of 25 mph tires the animal quite quickly.
Lord Derby or Giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus)
The giant eland is the largest species of antelope and was first noted around 1847 by the noted zoologist John Edward Grey. Like their cousins, giant eland is not territorial by nature and meander across home ranges that cover vast differences. Conversely, Lord Derby’s eland seeks out and thrives in woodland or glade areas with distinct wet seasons that usually signal the mating season.
Despite their size, this antelope can reach a speed of around 43 mph, making for an excellent way of evading predators (and hunters). The bulls of this subspecies are known to reach over 2,500 pounds at maturity and can stand almost six feet at the shoulder. Their famous v-angled spiral horns can reach over 2 feet in females and around 4.5 feet in males, making for a truly impressive memento to grace your trophy wall.
The giant eland is marked by their crest of dark, almost black hair running from the neck to mid–back, forming a recognizable area around the shoulders. The hind legs carry markings just above the hooves in black and white, while the front legs sport black spots towards the shoulders. Apart from the unmistakable dewlap, the giant eland’s white markings are a lot brighter and more prominent than those of the common eland.
Game Hunting Methods: Targeting the “Golden One”
Ambush
Ambush hunting in Africa often employs the use of a blind or a spot where the hunter can conceal themselves from the target animal. This method involves a bit of research and recon as the hunter needs to be in a “high traffic” or frequently traveled area to warrant the best possible chance at a good trophy (and a good shot).
Spot and stalk
This method of plains game hunting in Africa brings in binoculars and a starting point of glassing from higher ground to locate the herd or desired animals. Once the quarry has been spotted, the hunter and fellow party members proceed towards the designated location where the animal is then stalked on foot until a decent shot opportunity and trophy are found.
Bow hunting
Many African safari hunting destinations allow for bow hunting, although oftentimes this requires a special permit or permission from the relevant wildlife department. Across the board, the eland is considered a large game animal and needs to be hunted with the specified “caliber” of equipment. The common standard for eland requires 60lb/foot kinetic energy and a 450-grain arrow. Some countries may differ depending on their laws.
Rifle hunting
Using the old faithful rifle is still gold when enjoying eland hunting in Africa. Much like bow hunting, some destinations may have slightly different requirements, but the most accepted recommendations are the .300 and .375, as eland are large animals and need to be taken down as effectively as possible to ensure a clean and ethical hunt.
Considerations when Choosing a Hunting Method
African safari hunting comes with a set of considerations unique to each animal and the way a hunter chooses to approach their hunt. The eland is one of the more skittish African plains game species and despite their size can sprint away, putting them out of range of the good shot.
Elands are known for a keen sense of both smell and hearing; meaning hunters need to pay attention to factors like wind direction and footsteps to not give away their approach and scatter the eland into the distance. Rifle hunting gives more leeway in terms of the distance needed between the shooter and the target, while bow hunting requires the hunter to be within 30–40 yards of the bagged animal to ensure the best possible shot success.
Plains game hunting in Africa calls for the hunter to employ both patience and skill to increase their chances of a successful hunt, and hunting the eland is no different. The hunter also needs to be 100% comfortable and confident in their ability and skill to track, target, and ultimately take down their quarry as quickly and humanely as possible. Shot placement is very important when hunting big game animals.
Shot Placement when Eland Hunting in Africa
Eland may be large animals, but like other African plains game, the shot placement can be influenced by factors like the hunter’s position, their shooting abilities, terrain, etc.
The input and opinion of your PH can be extremely helpful when making your shot placement choice. While some shots just go perfectly to plan, others might require the hunter to heed caution and maybe even hold back on the shot.
Frontal Shot
A frontal shot on an eland hunt, calls for a shot to the chest. This shot can be both tricky and effective given the small target area and organ location. This shot requires extreme accuracy and stability from the hunter as a slightly off shot can result in the need to track (or potentially lose) a wounded animal.
Quartering Away
The goal area of this shot is the space around the opposite shoulder to the one you’re facing, a good quartering away shot will give the bullet a path through the eland’s vital organs. This shot also needs a well-thought-out angle and a sure-handed hunter, preferably with experience in this placement.
Broadside
The best, safest, and most obvious shot placement in hunting is the broadside shot. When broadsiding an eland, the hunter needs to aim for an area around 1/3 of the way up the chest in line with the middle of the shoulder. The line of this shot is on the path of both the heart and lungs, giving a much higher rate of success for a quick and clean kill.
The Makings of an African Plains Game Trophy
The hallmark of hunting in Africa is the trophy that one day finds itself in your home, and when it comes to African plains game like the eland, the trophy can be mightily impressive if you pick your target correctly.
The horns of an eland can tell both sex and level of maturity. Females tend to have slimmer horns that point slightly outwards, while males have much thicker horns with prominent horn bases. Young bulls typically display long, slim horns with a narrower base, while mature males sport thick spirals and commonly show worn horn tips in the older bulls.
Good trophy eland bulls also sport prominent dewlaps alongside that famous bulging neck as well as patches of hair loss coupled with patches of blue-grey coloring.
African Safari Hunting Destinations
Opportunities for plains game hunting in Africa can be found across the continent, and the eland is no different. A differentiating factor is that Giant eland are limited to particular countries and populations, while the Common eland is just that, more commonly found and available.
Each country is home to its own game hunting rules and regulations regarding hunting seasons, permits and papers, restrictions on hunting methods or ammunition, as well as hunt length requirements.
Mozambique
The only eland species found in this tropical country is the giant eland aka Livingstone eland. The larger of the eland species can be found in and around the Zambezi region, spreading north towards the Mozambique – Tanzania border. A popular coutada for this African plains game is the Tete Region (aka Cohora Bassa) where the landscape plays to the eland’s favor and needs.
Mozambique’s hunting season runs from April to November, and they have strict rules against the shooting of pregnant or nursing females, so be careful. All hunters are required to have the relevant permits and licenses (applied for before the trip) and unlike other destinations, quotas and hunt durations are set by the land owners or managers.
South Africa
Africa’s southernmost country is made up of 9 provinces each with its own landscape and wildlife. South Africa is home to the common eland which can be found in the provinces of the Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, and Limpopo. These provinces are all home to areas of the semi-arid bushveld where the common eland thrives.
South Africa accommodates nighttime game hunting activities with special permission, which can be vital if choosing to target eland in the pre-dawn hours after their nightly grazing. South African safari hunting laws also require international or foreign hunters to be accompanied by a qualified PH at all times, another plus when you consider the knowledge and skill right next to you.
Namibia
Eland in Namibia are found scattered across the country, with the majority of the population being the common eland. The bigger cousins are found in groups around Namibia’s famed Caprivi region. Hunting in Africa can be a demanding endeavor, but Namibia takes it to a different level. The environment is harsh, hot, and tiring; particularly when tracking a group or trophy target across the desert dunes. Physical fitness is a must, as well as confidence and belief in your Bushmen trackers, this indigenous group has been living in this area for thousands of years and are highly attuned to both animal behavior and the climate.
Combining a good team with a positive outlook is a great combination when tackling the eland of Namibia. That, and a good water supply.
Botswana
This destination has had an on/off relationship with African safari hunting, but after the reinstatement of hunting activities in the late 2010s, Botswana’s hunting industry seems to be here to stay. For years Botswana’s main hunting industry was big game like lion, buffalo, and elephant; meaning that African plains game species like the eland were given the time to grow into thriving populations.
Botswana is home to both main species of eland with the giant eland being found in regions close to the Botswana – Zimbabwe border. Plains game hunting typically takes place on large ranches covering hundreds of thousands of hectares, this has kept eland and other antelope protected from poaching while still offering the feel of a free-roaming hunting safari.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe may be home to a turbulent history, but its wildlife and safari hunting opportunities have made it through and continue to delight and deliver, especially in the African plains game sphere. Common eland can be widely found across the country, while another variety known as Patterson’s eland (a further sub–species of the giant eland) can be found in pocketed groups. The Patterson’s eland is more stripey in its markings and has a darker coloring, they are also found in the east and southeast regions of Africa.
Zimbabwe, like South Africa, also has a hunting season with no definitive start or end; instead, the climate is used as a predictor of when the good hunting months are upon us. No special permits or licenses are needed for eland hunting.
Zambia
This south-central African country is home to the giant eland (aka Livingstone eland), and like other game hunting destinations, the weather plays a particularly strong role in when the best time to hunt rolls around. Zambia‘s hunting season runs from May till November and African plains game hunting is recommended in the autumn months as this is when food starts to become scarcer, and animals are driven towards areas still green and water-rich. Summer can be especially dry and intense, putting a lot of strain on both animals and hunters.
Zambia’s hunting industry is still fairly young when compared to other destinations as it was formally founded in the 70’s. Despite this, their industry is one of the most controlled and well-organized, with good resources and conservation operations in place.
Tanzania
A mecca of plains game hunting in Africa, Tanzania is home to the Livingstone and Patterson’s eland. Found only in East Africa, the Patterson’s eland is known for their strong blue-grey coloring and slightly larger dewlap growth. The Patterson’s eland can be found in Tanzania’s famous Masailand region in the northern area of the country as well as in Maswa. Livingstone eland can be tracked through the Rungwa and Kizigo regions in the western part of Tanzania.
Tanzania has some of the strictest regulations when it comes to hunting licenses. There are 3 options available, namely the 10, 16, and 21-day permits, with eland requiring a full 21-day permit (even if the actual hunt length falls short of that count). All Tanzanian hunting activities require the presence of a government guide and the hunting season typically runs from July to December, although sometimes depending on the weather patterns, the hunting season can be extended through to March the following year.
Eland Hunting in Africa: An Unforgettable Experience
Eland hunting in Africa is an experience sure to deliver on the excitement and wonder that comes with an African safari hunting adventure. No matter the choice of eland or destination, one will find an opportunity to fit them like a glove and put those trophy dreams in reach of reality.
Plains game hunting in Africa is just as, if not more enjoyable than the big game side of things; with a variety of options on offer, as well as dedicated and knowledgeable personnel at hand, tracking down your eland trophy is just a few arrangements away.
Author: A. Baker