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Hunting The Red-Flanked Duiker

Red-flanked duikers are known for their compact size and striking reddish-brown fur

The red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rifulatus) is a tiny antelope found in central and west Africa, from Senegal, moving westwards towards Uganda. It prefers habitats of savannas and lightly wooded areas, seeking shelter and refuge from predators such as leopards, crowned eagles, and African rock pythons. Two subspecies are recognized, namely the C.r rufilatus and the C.r. rubidior.

One of the smallest of the antelope species, the red-flanked duiker is a territorial, mostly solitary animal. This species of duiker lives alone or in pairs, in a small territory for a couple of months, before moving on. They are most active early in the morning or late afternoon. Should they get startled, they will dive into dense vegetation to hide. The red-flanked duiker is a herbivore, consuming a range of foods in its diet, such as twigs, fruits, leaves, and flowers. They are known to follow monkeys around, snacking on fallen fruits.

Not much is known about the gestation of this duiker. One lamb is born after a gestation period of approximately 8 months, weighing about 2,2 pounds. The birth usually coincides with the dry season or near the start of the wet season. Once born, the lamb finds dense vegetation in which to hide and only emerges when called by its mother to feed. Weaning happens when the lamb reaches approximately 20 pounds, and the lamb is considered mature by 9 months. If startled or communicating with their young, they issue a short, sharp bark.

This species of duiker is listed with a status of least concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but its natural habitat is diminishing and is under threat from man, with both legal and illegal hunts.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Cephalophus rifulatus

Male Weight:
31 pounds

Height at Shoulder:
13-15 inches

Range:
West and Central Africa

Life span:
+-15 years

Hunting Red-Flanked Duiker

Red-Flaked Duiker blend seamlessly into their forest surroundings.

Size and Appearance

This tiny duiker has a coat that ranges in color from reddish-brown to reddish-yellow with a light-colored underbelly. It has a broad, gray dorsal stripe extending from the nape of its neck to the base of its tail. Its ears have black and white markings. The red-flanked duiker has grayish-blue legs. While both sexes have short, backward-pointing horns of 1-3.5 inches, the horns are sometimes shorter or non-existent in female duikers.

Hunting Methods

Two main hunting techniques are employed on a red-flanked duiker hunting safari, namely the walk-and-stalk method, or this tiny antelope is often hunted from a blind. They are renowned for their exceptional hearing and sharp sense of smell, making the stalking segment of this hunting adventure even more challenging!

Challenges and Rewards

The challenge when red-flanked duiker hunting in Africa, is the size of the trophy. The hunter will require pinpoint accuracy in terms of his shot placement. This tiny antelope is extremely skilled at camouflage, making this hunting adventure even more rewarding when they are discovered. The hunter will require exceptional stalking skills, and be very quiet, using the vegetation cover to his advantage on this exciting hunting safari.

Rifles and Requirements

When duiker hunting in Africa, it’s very likely going to be at a close range, with a fast-moving target. A .308 or a 30.06 loaded with solids are options to use when targeting the red-flanked duiker. While hunters can also use a shotgun, avoid using high calibers as this can damage the trophy. Another option would be a rifle in the .243- .270 range, but remember that as always, shot placement remains critical.