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Hunting In Africa: The Speedy Tsessebe

The Speedy Tsessebe is a Worthy Opponent for Hunters

The common tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus), also referred to as the sassaby, is recognized as an independent species by some organizations, and others see it as a subspecies in the same category as the topi and a relative to the bontebok. Although its numbers are decreasing, its status is listed as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Common tsessebe are native to prime African game hunting areas such as Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Zambian tsessebe populations are darker in color than those in other areas.

The tsessebe favors the open grasslands, where their speed is their greatest advantage over predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards. When confronted by smaller predators such as jackals and small cats, the tsessebe will fight first and flee later.

Tsessebe are extremely territorial, marking their boundaries with pre-orbital gland secretions and urine, much like their family, the topi. A gesture of showing territory to outsiders involves kneeling and horning the ground. Other shows of territorial dominance include grunting, shoulder swiping, high stepping, and moving with an upright posture. The tsessebe also enjoy covering themselves in mud, using their horns to scoop and sling mud over their backs.

They are social creatures and will form larger herds, having no issue with sharing their space with zebras, wildebeests, and even ostriches. Females will form herds of 6–10 members. When the young bulls reach about a year, they are kicked out of the herd and join bachelor bull herds numbering into the 30s.

Tsessebe are grazers and are active in the early morning after sunrise and again later in the afternoon. They will take time after eating to rest and digest. They walk up to three miles along territorial borders to find water.

Mating season starts in late February into March and sometimes stretches into May. The mating time starts with males forming leks (groups) where the female chooses her mating partner. These groups provide protection from predators, allow for even sharing of resources such as food and water, and ensure a greater variety of choices for breeding partners.

Gestation lasts around seven months, and one calf is born. Births peak in the rainy season, and these young will reach sexual maturity in 2-3.5 years.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Damaliscus Lunatus Lunatus

Weight:
300 pounds

Shoulder Height:
46–54 inches

Range:
Southern African Countries and Tanzania

Mating Season:
February–March

Life span:
15 years

Hunting Tsessebe

The Tsessebe Gives Hunters An Adrenaline-Filled Hunting Adventure

Size and Appearance

The tsessebe is considered a large antelope, with the average weight of a male more than 300 pounds and a female weighing around 260 pounds, making it the perfect target for African plains game hunting safaris. Both sexes grow horns measuring 14–15 inches, and unlike their relative, the topi, the tsessebe’s horns are spaced further apart. They have a chestnut-colored coat, with black facial markings and tail tufts. Their forelimbs and thighs have markings that are grayish-blue-black in tone, with brownish–yellow hind legs and white bellies.

Hunting Methods

The most popular and successful technique for tsessebe hunting in the wild is the walk-and-stalk technique practiced near open areas and water holes. At times on the hunt, a long shot may be called for, as getting closer to this wary antelope for a better shot or angle may be impossible. The tsessebe has a habit of running a short distance away from the perceived danger or threat, then stopping and turning back to locate the threat before running off again. A hunter can use this behavior to their advantage, knowing that the antelope will stop, and can ready themselves to take the shot. Bow hunting can also be practiced using a blind that overlooks an often frequented waterhole.

Challenges and Rewards

A challenge often faced when on a game hunting safari targeting this agile antelope, is the speed at which they simply appear and disappear! They are the fastest antelope in Africa, racking up speeds up to 55 miles per hour, making them difficult to target when hunting in the wild. The tsessebe antelope deserves a place on your hunting bucket list. After all, a trophy for the fastest antelope in Africa sounds like quite the conversation starter!

Rifles and Requirements

A flat shooting rifle equipped with suitable optics is required when hunting this African plains game antelope. 7mm and any 30-caber rifle will deliver the desired result. The minimum caliber to be considered is a .270 with a 130 grain. These antelopes are fast and expensive!