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Targeting the Suni when hunting in Africa

The Suni is a Small, Shy and Solitary Antelope

The suni (Nesotragus moschatus) is a small, shy antelope found along the coastal areas of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, most of Mozambique, and further northward into the Zambezi Valley. Suni are pigmy antelope that prefer the cover of deep, dense and dry bush along with forest areas, where they can adequately camouflage themselves against predators or perceived threats. When on a specialist plains game hunting safari in South Africa, the suni hunt will take place in the Eastern Cape or areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Their conservation status is “least concern.”

This petite member of Africa’s Tiny 10 is typically active during the early evening and at night.  During the day they hide in the undergrowth sleeping and resting. Suni are herbivores and eat a varied diet of mushrooms, leaves, flowers, buds, shoots, and fruits. They are water-independent and obtain all the water they require from their diet.

Suni are social animals and tend to live in pairs or small groups, with one dominant male and a few females. A male will defend his territory of about three hectares by scent-marking the boundaries with preorbital gland secretions. The borders of the territory may be marked with individual or communal dung piles. Suni give birth to one lamb during November-March, after a six-month gestation period. The lamb remains hidden for the first couple of weeks of its life and is fully weaned at three to four months.

The suni’s young are heavily targeted by the crown eagle as well as pythons while other predators such lions, large birds of prey, members of the cat family, and snakes also prey on the adults.  

When the suni senses danger, it freezes and remains hidden until the threat is almost on top of it. They then leap up, ducking and diving around bushes to evade the predator, at which point it will vanish into the dense undergrowth that provides excellent camouflage.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Nesotragus Moschatus

Weight:
10-12 pounds

Shoulder Height:
12-17 inches

Range:
Areas of South Africa, Mozambique and Zambezi Valley

Breeding:
All year around with regional peaks   

Life span:
8-10 years

Hunting the suni

The Suni has an Exceptional Talent for Camouflaging Itself from Potential Dangers, Including Game Hunters.

Size and Appearance


When on a suni hunting safari in South Africa, look for a small antelope with long, slender legs. The coat is light brown to tan-brown, with a white underbelly and inner legs. They have large, rounded ears with a broad head and a sharp muzzle. Both males and females have preorbital glands in front of the eyes that produce a sticky secretion used to scent-mark territories Only the rams grow horns which are short and spiky and set wide apart on the head. The size of the horns is approximately 2.5-5 inches in length.

Hunting Methods


To target suni on a game hunting safari in South Africa, make use of the established paths and trails that the suni uses. Once they sense danger, as with many of the pigmy antelopes, you are only going to have a short glimpse of them once they head off into the underbrush, so be prepared!

Challenges and Rewards


They are well concealed in the bush and are rarely spotted, making it very difficult for hunters on a game hunting safari to target these antelopes. The suni remains a sought-after trophy when it comes to specialist plains game hunting in South Africa and is required to complete the prestigious Tiny 10 antelopes found in Africa. By harvesting one of these diminutive antelopes, you are one step closer to completing the set!

Rifles and Requirements

When suni hunting in Africa, shots will generally be taken at long distance as they are a plains dweller. A flat shooting rifle fitted with a quality tactical scope is required. The bullet should not weigh less than 120 grains with a muzzle velocity of at least 2600 feet per second. If a larger caliber rifle is used the bullet needs to be a solid so as not to ruin the trophy suni fur.

MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR SMALL ANTELOPE


Duiker Side ViewDuiker Side View Shot Placement, Small Antelope

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