Hyenas, also spelled as hyaenas, are carnivoran mammals. They are so unique that they have a family all their own, Hyaenidae.
While on a big game hunting safari with the sun dipping and darkness descending (enjoying a late afternoon well-deserved whiskey), whoops and cackles often fill the air from these nocturnal creatures. They gang together patroling territories and setting out on hunting and scavenging missions.
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Big Game Hunting: The Hyena at a Glance
- The hyena has a sloping back, is shaggy and untidy, and is an opportunistic carnivore who will capitalize on any opportunity for a free meal. Some even call their good looks “bizarre,” and others even say they are blatantly “ugly.”
- Hyenas generate many myths, legends, and misinformation, and hunters often consider these unique creatures less “noble” than other predators, such as cheetahs, lions, and leopards.
- Hyenas are more than capable of hunting down their prey and are serious predators, especially when traveling in a pack.
- Hyenas are popular additions by hunters on a big game safari and make an excellent addition to any trophy room.
- There are only four extant species of hyena:
- Spotted hyena (Crocuta Crocuta, also known as the “laughing hyena”
- Brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), also known as “the strandwolf”
- Striped hyena (Hyaenan Hyaena)
- Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus)
- Many game hunters don’t know that the Aardwolf is the fourth type of hyena, and their lineage is traced back to 15 million years ago. The Aardwolf is the only survivor of the dog-like hyena lineage.
- Despite a similar appearance to dogs, all hyena family members are more closely related to the genet (Viverridae) and the mongoose (Herpestidae).
- Hyenas are hunted all year round in most African countries.
- The best months while on a big game hunting safari with Africa as your destination would be April to late August before the spring and summer temperatures kick in.
Can you Hunt Hyenas in South Africa?
- Yes, hyenas are hunted in South Africa, except for the striped hyena.
- Brown hyena hunts are legal in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
- Striped hyena hunts are only legal in Uganda and Tanzania.
- Aardwolves are only hunted in South Africa and Namibia but inhabit Central Africa.
- Spotted hyena hunts occur in most Southern African countries, including Uganda, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.
What is The IUCN Red List?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was established in 1964 and is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
The four types of hyenas are ranked by the IUCN as follows:
- Spotted Hyena: ‘Least concern” status due to global population exceeding 20,000, and their numbers spread throughout Africa.
- Brown Hyena: The global population of brown hyenas is estimated to be between 4,000-10,000, and therefore listed as “near threatened.”
- Striped Hyena: This species is also listed as “near threatened.”
- Aardwolf: “Least concern,” because their global population is stable.
What is the Hyena’s Hunting Strategy?
Spotted hyenas run down their selected prey. Striped Hyena are typically scavengers and eat almost any carcass, no matter the state of decay. Brown Hyena are solitary feeders and travel huge distances in search of carrion. The Aardwolf feeds primarily on termites. It has incredible hearing and listens for terminates under the ground. It then uses its sticky, broad tongue to lick them up.
Hunting Hyenas in Africa
Shot Placement on a Hyena
As with most dangerous game, the game hunter must target the vitals. The best option would be a well-placed shot straight through the heart. Taking a headshot should not be a consideration, as this would ruin the trophy. A well-placed shot a third of the way up on the shoulder from the broadside will work perfectly. If the hunter “pulls the shot” a little, a double lung shot will down the animal. A frontal shot can work if the hunter considers the angle of the hyena and which way they are facing. The shot should be at the base of the neck, central to the legs.
Firearms for Hunting Hyena in Africa
Numerous calibers can work very well when hyena hunting. This would be the same rifle you use when hunting plains game and have a scope mounted. This also allows for a few options in terms of distance, as shots can be anything from 30 to 300 yards, depending on the opportunities that present themselves. Any 30-caliber rifle with a well-placed shot will kill a hyena from a .308 right to a 300 Winchester Magnum. I prefer the 300-win mag, as the speed of a 180-grain to 220-grain will carry kinetic energy and inflict high levels of hydrostatic shock, resulting in a quick and humane kill. As usual, there is always the endless debate about which is better between a 7mm and a 300-win mag.
If your game hunting safari includes big plains game animals such as roan, sable, and eland, or you are in the middle of a dangerous game safari, and equipped with a .375, this will be perfect.
The reality is that with a large male hyena weighing up to 140 pounds, any well-placed shot will bring this predator down.
When considering the optics, any scope with light transmission properties will add value. Unless extremely lucky, most shots on a hyena will be in the early morning hours or late afternoon before sunset. With technology taking the game hunting industry by storm, we regularly see options for infrared scopes and heat sensor vision. Consult local legislation, as “fair chase” is always paramount.
Hyena Hunting in Africa with a Bow
A recommended hunting method is hunting the hyena from a blind and on a bait. The most difficult part of this hunt will be to see your distance marker in the dark. These marks can be set during the day at intervals most suited to the bow hunters’ abilities. Should the bow hunter be fortunate enough, the hyena may come in the early evening or during the first hours of the morning when there would be a reasonable amount of “shooting light.” Use suitable optics with illumination for possible poor lighting conditions.
A battery-powered red light can also be fitted in overhanging trees or on a ledge, providing a soft light. A torch shining white light can always be adapted by covering the lens with red or orange electrical tape. This light, if dim enough, will not deter the hyena, especially if this was used in the days leading up to the hunting safari. A minimum of a 100-grain fixed or mechanical broadhead can be used with a suggested poundage of not less than 50 pounds. The arrow weight may not be less than 14 ounces.
Like with a rifle, shot placement is critical, and a heart shot or just behind the shoulder will work. When hunting a hyena with a bow, the professional hunter must have backup, with a double open sights rifle. Anything from a 500 nitro express and up will do. Lions, leopards, and other dangerous game nocturnal animals occupy the same hunting grounds as the hyena. The last thing the big game hunter on completion of his game hunting safari wants to end up being is the carrion!
Hyena Hunting Methods
Hyena as a species is typically an “add-on” for dangerous game or plains game hunting in Africa. Should a hyena be a priority species on the hunting safari, the hunting method will be adjusted, to increase the odds of achieving the trophy and safari goals.
Blinds and bait are used as hunting techniques, but the time of the year plays a role in the success of these methods. If the safari is in late spring towards summer, the bushveld will have abundant small game animals due to the birthing season. As such, the hyena may have enough other food options and ignore the bait.
It is quite common to hunt hyenas while driving from one game hunting destination to another. Walking and following spoor, depending on conditions, is also a favorite method. On bigger concessions or in reserves where the game is harvested regularly, outfitters will have a “feeding area” for discarded offcuts. The hunter could camouflage themselves in the surrounding scrub and set up an ambush.
Ask your Professional Hunter (PH) for advice on hyena hunting methods, as it is their specialty. The outfitter must be advised well before the hunt that hunting a hyena will be an option, thus allowing reasonable time to ensure all permits are in place.
Interesting Hyena Facts
- The striped hyena’s jaw differs from the spotted hyena and is much smaller. Spotted hyenas are very social animals living in large, social groups called clans.
- Many hyenas together are called a cackle, a most appropriate name.
- Hyenas are great mothers and amazingly intelligent.
- Striped hyenas are the national animal of Lebanon.
- Spotted hyenas can count, they may not be experts at algebra, but count they can! It assists them in deciding whether to fight or flee.
- The females have complicated and unusual genitals.
- Hyenas have powerful jaws.
- The spotted hyena has evolved colossal jaw muscles able to exert over 1,100 pounds per square inch pressure.
- Hyenas are the longest-living terrestrial carnivores.
- Hyenas are tremendously socially complex.
- Hyenas feature prominently in the mythology of human cultures and folklore that live beside them. In some instances, and certain cultures, many believe hyenas rob graves, steal domestic animals and small children as well as negatively influence people’s spirits.
- It takes 36 months to reach ninety percent scull maturity.
- Talking about skulls, all hyena trophies are judged based on skull measurements.
- In reality, as it is difficult to judge males from females, the best option for the game hunter would be to target the largest one you can.
Hyena Habitats
Hyenas are spread throughout Africa and are found in most habitats. Savannahs, grasslands, sub-deserts, forests, and even up some mountains to 350 yards, are inhabited by the spotted hyena.
The striped hyena prefers grasslands, scrub forests, and tropical savannahs. Brown hyenas, in turn, range from semi-deserts to coastal regions and woodlands. Aardvarks live in suitable habitats that provide plenty of food in the form of termites, from woodlands to grasslands.
Hyena Social Structure
The striped hyena has some social organization but generally is a solitary animal. The spotted hyena is rarely seen in groups and spends most of the day in its burrow. Immature family members will assist with bringing back food to younger siblings in the den. The brown hyena, if not solitary, will live in small clans with their mate and offspring. Spotted hyenas live in clans comprising a large number of male and female groups. Males leave their clan when they reach sexual maturity, and females stay in their clan for their entire lives. These clans can have up to 100 members, and the clan is led by the alpha male. When it comes to hyenas, females outrank the males.
Hyena Taxidermy
Following your successful game hunting safari in Africa, the question is often asked, “What do I do with the trophy?” As hyenas have impressive skulls and teeth, a pedestal skull mount is always a fine option. I always like to try educating people, and a full mount is a sure way for this predator to be closely examined. A good taxidermist is a perfect artist, and some full hyena mounts are incredibly lifelike, ready to jump out at you from the darkness.
Hyena Hunting: Safari Club International Record Books
Spotted hyenas are measured by the sum of their skull measurements, which makes up the total measurement. This is the same method used to measure all the African cats.
Game Hunting Options for Hyena Hunting in Africa
If the thought of hyena hunting in Africa appeals to you, read more about hunting package options here. If you are interested in big game hunting packages, click here for more information.
Author: Pierre van Wyk