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Targeting The Western Roan On A Hunt

The Western roan antelope moves gracefully through open savannas and woodlands with impressive agility

Africa is home to many beautiful and graceful antelopes, and the roan is one of them. The roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) is one of the largest antelopes available to target on an African hunt.

There are six subspecies of this tough antelope, with one of these being the Western roan (Hippotragus equinus koba). The Western roan is endemic to West Africa and is specifically found from Senegal to Benin.

Roan are water-dependent antelopes, preferring a habitat with plenty of water and water sources while grazing on grasses, shrubs, herbs, and tree pods. They are social animals, forming herds of up to 20 members, usually comprised of females and their offspring, along with one dominant male. Younger males and old bulls usually live outside a herd.

Roan females gestate for 9 months before producing a single calf. They will typically isolate themselves for a week or two prior or the birth and afterwards the mother will hide the young, frequently returning to feed. When they reach 5-6 weeks, the calf will join the herd.

The roan antelope is preyed upon by leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs.

The roan antelope is listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Hippotragus equinus koba

Male Weight:
530 –660 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
51–55 inches

Range:
East Africa

Life span:
17 years

Hunting The Western Roan

The Western roan antelope is known for its distinctive backward-curving horns and robust build

Size and Appearance

One of the most striking features of the roan is its beautiful, curved horns. Both sexes feature backward curving ringed horns with the female’s horns being the shorter of the two and the roan bull’s horns reaching 39 inches in length. A short mane of hair running from the back of the neck to the mid–back is common in both sexes. Its coat varies in color from reddish-brown to reddish-gray. Their features include lighter bellies, white cheeks and eyebrows, and black face markings. The antelope stands 51–55 inches at the shoulder, with males weighing around 660 pounds. The females tip the scales at 420–615 pounds.

Hunting Methods

The Western roan is best targeted by using tracking or the spot-and-stalk method. As mentioned, be prepared for a physical hunt that will push you and test your perseverance.

Challenges and Rewards

This can be quite a physical hunt, be prepared to do some walking and working for this exquisite African plains game trophy! If your shot placement is correct and on target, this graceful trophy will be a welcome addition to any trophy room, with many tales being told about the hunting adventure that accompanied its arrival!

Rifles and Requirements

As with any African plains game trophy, any caliber, from a well-placed .243 bullet to a .375 or .458 Lott will get the job done adequately. 7mm and 300-win mag are also good choices for this African hunting safari.