For those hunters who read our previous Hyena hunting blog you will know that a few of the team members at Game Hunting Safaris set out a few months ago to hunt Spotted Hyena in the northern districts of South Africa, near the border of Botswana.
The previous Hyena hunting safari was unfortunately unsuccessful. So, we had no other choice but to head out again, this time in search of the elusive Brown Hyena. It was now becoming personal…
Brown Hyena are different from Spotted Hyena as mature males are mostly solitary creatures, compared to Spotted Hyena who live in “clans.” Spotted Hyena mostly also respond well to a caller such as a FoxPro, whereas Brown Hyena hunts are more often conducted using the baiting and drag method.
International hunters from the USA prefer Spotted Hyena hunting expeditions as these Hyena are exportable under CITES and importable into the USA. Brown Hyena trophies are currently not allowed to be imported into the USA.
Table of Contents
The Hyena Hunting Location
This hunt for Brown Hyena took place in South Africa with the road transfer taking approximately four hours from Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport. The hunting area was situated near the borders of Zimbabwe and Botswana in the Limpopo Province, which is considered by many hunters as the hunting mecca of South Africa.
Typical of an African hunt is SA, the area was fenced off and approximately 6000 acres in size. While game fenced, these fences do not keep in or out, animals such as Warthogs, Bushpigs, Leopard, Caracal, Honey Badgers, and Hyena.
Hyena Hunting FAQ’s
Can you hunt Hyena in South Africa?
Yes, Hyena can legally be hunted in South Africa with the Department of Nature Conservation issuing permits for both Brown and Spotted Hyena.
How much does a Hyena cost in South Africa?
A hunting safari for a Spotted or Brown Hyena in South Africa is normally done over 7 nights and will cost an average of US$ 6500. Being a nocturnal hunt, other animals such as Porcupine, Honey Badger, Serval, Civet Cat, and Large and Small Spotted Genets are available when Hyena hunting.
Are Hyena’s successful hunters?
Hyenas are superb hunters and are not only scavengers. Like most predators, if an opportunity for a free meal presents itself, Hyena will snatch up that chance.
The Hunting Lodge in South Africa
South African outfitters know how to offer quality accommodations, meals, and beverages. The hunting lodge in South Africa had twelve individual chalets, all equipped with double beds, refrigerators, couches, en-suite bathrooms, and air conditioning. On this safari, we were the only group of hunters, so we were fortunate enough to have all the facilities to ourselves.
The bar area was unique and built from Leadwood trees which are known to be exceptionally durable, and hard, and can last hundreds of years. These bar areas constructed from indigenous materials are known to create the perfect ambiance for sharing fond game hunting memories and tales.
The central “fire pit” area was in typical African style with high thatched roofs, the perfect setting to enjoy the African sunsets and a cold Whiskey. The lodge also has a large snooker table and a swimming pool and can comfortably cater to large groups of hunters.
The Brown Hyena Hunting Method
The outfitter pre-baited the area using intestines and lungs from cattle. Typical of a South African outfitter, getting the hunters excited pre-event, we received numerous images of all the Brown Hyena captured on the trail camera. After the first Spotted hyena hunting failure, we were feeling very confident as over 30 years, the outfitter had a 100% success ratio.
When Hyena hunting and using the baiting system, it is exceptionally important to not only bait and area but to “drag” leading directly to the bait. In this instance for the drag, we used lungs tied to a vehicle and drove areas leading to the bait while every few yards pouring a mixture of blood and water. As Brown Hyena patrols large areas, the idea is to attract a Brown Hyena who may be patrolling an area far from the bait and “bring him in.”
It is also important that the actual bait be secured to a tree so that when the Brown Hyena “comes in” he does not walk off with the bait and get another “free meal.”
Hyena Hunting Equipment
For this Hyena hunt, we were far better prepared than the previous game hunting safari. We had fitted our trusty 30.06 with Pard night vision options which were working well. Interestingly enough, it seems that night vision optics can present certain challenges. Some hunters can see very well with the lines and images being clear. I battled as the image was continually blurry, but at 60 yards I could see the target, so all was good.
Both professional hunters that accompanied us each had a handheld thermal monocular. These units can via Blue Tooth connect to an iPad or phone, but as we decided we wanted to keep the blind as dark as possible, we chose not to connect.
Night One in the Blind
After receiving all the images from the trail cam, I was convinced that we would get a Brown Hyena on night one. Those hunters who have been on an African hunt will know it never goes as planned.
There was quite a heavy breeze which made it cold in the blind. Even all the animals we could see through the thermal images were lying down taking cover. Nothing came into the bait. The most frustrating thing was that we decided not to turn on the night vision of the rifle until a Brown Hyena had come in and until he was facing away from us.
So, all the PHs could see clearly, and I had to sit for six hours, literally blind. Note to self: Buy a thermal monocular!
Hint: When hyena hunting and you know it’s going to be a long night in the blind, stop drinking Africa’s famous beers a few hours before, or else your bladder is going to take the strain. I was up and down a couple of times, much to the annoyance of the outfitter.
Night Two in the Blind
This time, having learned from my mistake, feeling rather dehydrated at the outset, we entered the blind, and my bladder and I were ready and prepared for the night ahead. The wind had dropped, no Brown Hyena had taken the bait the night before, so it was game on.
I was convinced we would be back celebrating a successful hunt by at least 11h00 at the latest. As I predicted, the Brown Hyena arrived in the vicinity, but for hours lay chewing on old bones that were in the area. The Hyena could be seen through the thermals (I was still visionless in the dark), then for whatever reason packed up and left. We sat a few more hours hoping they would return, but sadly no such luck. After the first Spotted Hyena hunting failure, and two nights on this safari down, I was beginning to have humor failure. As such, the only thing to do to maintain sanity was to advise Tamlyn that she was up on night three.
Night Three in the Blind (Tamlyn)
Earlier in the day we made a quick stop at the shooting range so that Tamlyn could just check that she was happy with the night vision set-up.
I am not going to lie, a part of me was very happy watching Tamlyn go off knowing full well that it was going to be a long night ahead. Night three was better. A few Brown Hyena came in who again and most annoyingly chose to go chew on some old bones and not go to the bait. A handful of Civet cats, Bushpigs, and Honey Badgers also made an appearance. Receiving feedback on their return, it was good to know I was not the only one who had suffered from bladder issues!
Night Four in the Blind
Tamlyn and the PHs rode off into the sunset to the blind. During the day, it was decided to remove some of the bones lying in the area and distract the Hyena.
Early in the evening, a magnificent honey badger visited the site. Honey Badger hunting when on an African safari is very popular for those hunters who enjoy nocturnal hunts. Honey Badgers also make magnificent trophies.
When Brown Hyena hunting and a Honey Badger visits, you do not want them around. The Badgers have a gland at the base of their tails that secretes an incredibly “stinky” liquid that they use to mark their territories. They also have a nasty habit of defecating at the bait site which chases away any other visitors. Honey Badgers are fearless and will scare off a Brown Hyena along with the likes of Caracal and Leopard. Honey Badgers are famous for their bravery.
So, knowing full well we also wanted a Honey Badger in the trophy room, Tamlyn shot the Honey Badger. On the footage, the shot looked great and there was blood all over the site.
Leaving the blind in the dark, Tamlyn and the PHs went to find the Honey Badger. There was a good blood trail leading over a ridge behind the bait site. Knowing that the Honey Badger was hit with a 30.06 (which is a big caliber when Honey Badger hunting), it was decided to pick up the Honey Badger in the morning when it was light. Falling over rocks in the dark can lead to unnecessary risks and like with most African hunts, hospitals and medical facilities are not nearby.
The following morning, the PHs quickly left the hunting lodge to recover the trophy, Honey Badger. Two hours later, no sign of their return. Sending a WhatsApp, we made contact and the outfitter came to collect us.
The substantial blood trail once over the ridge just vanished. There was no further evidence of a wounded Honey Badger. It was decided to walk the ridge and look under rocky outcrops for a dead Honey Badger. No such luck. A few hours later one of the trackers picked up the spoor and blood trail of the Honey Badger entering an abandoned termite hill, and so the digging started. We could smell the Honey Badger, escalated to where we found fresh dung and urine, but still no Honey Badger.
The problem with these termite mounds is that the soil is highly compacted and underneath the hill, there is a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers. The digging extended for a few meters.
Hint: If you are brave enough to stick your arm and hand into chambers looking for a Honey Badger, ensure you make your hand into a fist as a Honey Badger will do extensive damage to extended fingers.
End Result: No recovered Honey Badger which was very disappointing. There is nothing worse than losing any animal. Hunters that say they have not ever lost an animal, are either new to hunting or they lie. Either way, not having closure is never pleasant.
Night Five in the Blind: Last Night of Hyena Hunting
We were leaving it down to the wire. One more night left, but everything was in our favor. Not only would the Hyena make an appearance (we were convinced), but it was also Tamalyn’s birthday. Additionally, Game Hunting Safaris also just ranked one in the USA for keywords “Hyena Hunting” so it was all going to come together.
That night, lying on the bed while Tamlyn and the gang were out, many prayers were said, and I could not help but throw in assistance for a successful Hyena hunt into the mix.
The sun rose over the African savannah, and our trophy room would remain void of any Brown Hyenas. No Brown Hyena even made an appearance.
Downloading images of trail cams we had in the area, we picked up two big Leopards and found a dead Impala. It would appear, and this is nothing but a guess, that the Brown Hyena chose to follow leftovers from fresh “Leopard kills.”
In closing: Leaving the hunting lodge empty-handed was disappointing. Hyenas, whether Brown or Spotted were becoming our nemesis. This was now the second game hunting safari without a Hyena. Empty wallets, empty hearts, and faces lacking smiles.
We did the only thing we could, followed the philosophy of never giving up, and booked the next Spotted Hyena hunting safari for April 2025. Hopefully, we can then have more success.
You may not always leave with your trophy animals, but you will complete your African hunt with new memories, new experiences, and an excuse to again visit the amazing African continent.
Some things in life, I believe, are worth waiting for.
Author: PC van Wyk