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Targeting the gray rhebok

The gray rhebok is noted for its remarkable stamina, adept at navigating steep, rocky terrain with ease.

The gray rhebuck (Pelea capreolus), also known as the vaal rhebok or the vaalribbok, is a small antelope native to southern Africa. These African plains game antelopes are found in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and a very small section of southernmost Namibia. 

In terms of habitat, the gray rhebok prefers to inhabit mountain-rich and hilly regions, as well as plateau grasslands and is also found along South Africa’s Cape coast. These herbivores are water-independent and can survive prolonged periods without water. The gray rhebuck is diurnal and its diet consists of grasses, shrubs, flowers, seeds, and roots.

The herd consists of around 12-15 ewes with their young, along with a lone territorial ram.  Breeding season runs from January to April, with a 260-day gestation. Roughly a week before the birth, the ewe will leave the herd. Once the single lamb is born, the ewe will return to the herd and keep the lamb hidden, returning often to feed it. At around six weeks, the lamb will join the herd. 

They communicate through a series of hisses and groans. When attacked the male will start the fight to protect the herd, with predators including the black-backed jackal, caracals, and leopards.

The gray rhebuck is listed as near threatened by the IUCN, with illegal hunting, loss of natural habitat, and climate change all adding to this challenging situation.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Pelea capreolus

Male Weight:
41-66 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
28-29 inches

Range:
South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho, southern Namibia

Life span:
8-10 years 

Hunting Gray Rhebok

The gray rhebok is known for its elusive nature and excellent camouflage, blending seamlessly into the rocky, grassy slopes of its high-altitude habitat.

Size and Appearance


The Western hartebeest is a large African plains game antelope and a great game hunting trophy. It has a distinctive hump on its shoulders and a sloping back. The Western Hartebeest is regarded as a tough antelope to target and sports a long neck, slender body, and long legs. Its head is elongated, as is its forehead. The antelope’s coat is reddish-brown, with a light-colored rump, whitish underbelly, and a black tail. Both sexes have lengthy, rigid, curved horns that look Z-shaped from the side, and V-shaped from the front.

Hunting Methods


When on a Western Hartebeest game hunting adventure, a good tip to remember is that these antelopes are more active in the early mornings and late afternoons, as they gather in herds to graze. These animals are active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk, gathering in herds to graze and they will sometimes graze amongst wildebeest and impala. They have excellent eyesight but a poor sense of smell and are extremely wary and vigilant. When spooked, they are known to take off in a single file run and can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. Targeting this African plains game species requires perseverance and patience, waiting for the right moment when your shot placement is spot on. Avoid high-risk shots and aim for the vitals to ensure a swift and humane death for the hartebeest.

Challenges and Rewards


African hunting safaris targeting the Western hartebeest require precision shot placement and patience, waiting until the time is right to land the perfect shot. These antelopes are regarded as extremely intelligent and wary. Their eyesight is superb, making the challenge for the hunter to stalk and approach them undetected even more challenging!

Rifles and Requirements

Western hartebeest hunting in Africa will require a good flat shooting rifle fitted with good-quality optics. A .270 caliber shooting 130 expanding bullets is a minimum requirement when targeting this African plains game trophy. They are best hunted with .30 caliber rifles shooting a minimum of 180-grain. This combination will get the job done quickly and efficiently. The Western hartebeest remains a tough and hardy African plains game trophy that is well worth targeting when game hunting in Africa.

MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR MEDIUM ANTELOPE

Impala By Dennis Heller on FlickrImpala Side View Shot Placement

Available Gray Rhebok hunts

Image 1

Cape Buffalo Safari in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

Chinde, Zambézia, Mozambique

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope , Speciality Animals

Species:African Crocodile , Bushbuck , Bushpig , Cape buffalo , Hippo , Reedbuck (common) , Sable , Warthog , Waterbuck (common)

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Dangerous Game PH

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:Mozambique

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English , Portuguese

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$19500 for 10 days
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Plains Game Hunting in South Africa, Small Antelope in Limpopo

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Small Antelope

Species:Gray Duiker , Klipspringer , Mountain Reedbuck , Reedbuck (common) , Steenbok

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Extreme , Moderate

$8500 for 7 days
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Hunting Safari in SA 10 x Nights Plains Game Combination 

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope

Species:Blesbok , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Golden Wildebeest , Gray Duiker , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Red Hartebeest , Reedbuck (common) , Springbok , Steenbok , Warthog , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Rifle hunting

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$14200 for 10 days
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