The East African bushbuck is an exciting African hunting safari for hunting enthusiasts wanting an adventure that will challenge their patience, perseverance, and skills!

This antelope is a subspecies of bushbuck native to Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. East African bushbucks are herbivores, with their diet including a range of foods such as fruit, grasses, leaves, and herbs. They tend to be more active in the early mornings and late afternoons, seeking shelter from the hot African sun during the day as well as hiding from predators.

Leopards, hyenas, and jackals are always on the prowl, looking for a bushbuck meal, while young bushbuck are often targeted by the African rock python.

Bushbucks are shy, solitary antelopes that generally only meet to mate, but there are times when antelope pairs will stay together.

The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the East African bushbuck’s status as “least concern.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Tragelaphus scriptus delameri

Male Weight:
100-140 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
28-36 inches

Range:
East Africa

Life span:
8-9 years

Hunting East African Bushbuck

The East African bushbuck is known for its keen senses and agility

Size and Appearance

Reaching around 140 pounds and standing 36 inches at the shoulder, the medium-sized bushbuck is renowned for its huge color variations and coat markings. While some bushbucks from the Kenyan region are darker with obscured markings, other bushbuck antelopes from Tanzania have definite spots on their flanks and scattered spots on their hindquarters. Males of the species have dark, spiral-shaped horns that can reach 10-20 inches in length.

Hunting Methods

The bushbuck is a challenging African hunting safari, with hunters requiring both skill and perseverance to tackle this agile, speedy antelope. The East African bushbuck is usually targeted by utilizing the walk-and-stalk approach, tracking spoor that was spotted, or hunting the prey from a blind.

Challenges and Rewards

A swift and agile antelope, the East African bushbuck is quite likely to disappear before your eyes just as easily as it appeared! Hunters will be required to bring their A-game, with exceptional shot placement and sharp reflexes being the order of the day. The East African bushbuck is also known for being quite aggressive when injured, keep this in mind and steer clear of the sharp horns.

Rifles and Requirements

Bushbuck hunting in Africa can use a variety of calibers, anything from a .270 will do the job, while another popular option is the 260 Remington. Any 30-caliber rifle can be used, with a suitable bullet tip of no less than 150 grain.