For many a hunter, taking a prize-winning Sable Bull is a bucket list item. These majestic antelope have the most incredible horn shape. Sable are “horse-like” with the most beautiful black coats and white underbellies, but make no mistake, they are not to be messed with.

Sable Antelope are exceptionally aggressive when it confronted with danger and defending themselves. A Sable (Hippotragus niger) has no problem using its massive horns to defend itself against Wild Dogs, Lions and Hyenas. These “cutlass” shaped horns have a central core made of bone and is covered by a hard tissue called Keratin.

A Sable hunting safari is one of the most expensive in Africa, other pricy safaris including antelope such as Roan, Sitatunga and endemic species.

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What is Keratin?

Keratin is the protein that forms feathers, nails, and hair.

Are there Sable in South Africa?

Yes, there are of Sable in South Africa.

What is a Sable animal in Afrikaans?

In Afrikaans, a Sable antelope is called a “Swartwitpens” A direct translation is a black, white stomach.

Trophy Sable antelope can be hunted in many Africa countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Sable antelope, a short holistic overview

A Sable is a tough and compact antelope with long horns. A trophy Sable will have horns with a wide spread which are perfectly balanced. The Sable is the 3^rd largest antelope behind the Roan and Eland (Livingston and Cape), standing approximately 48 to 56 inches at the shoulder.

When talking about trophy Sable antelope, note that there are four subspecies of African Sable, namely:

• Black Sable, often called the Mastitis Sable occupies territories stretching from the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe and Botswana, further down south into South Africa. As you probably guessed, the Black Sable has the darkest coat of all the Sable.
• Royal Sable, also known as the Giant Sable. Population numbers have dwindled and only a few exist in central Botswana.
• West Zambia Sable, or Western Zambia Sable. This Sable subspecies is also referred to as the Southern, or common Sable and its territory includes parts of Angola, Malawi, and West Zambia.
• The Eastern Sable habitats the Southern side of Kenya and into Mozambique and Tanzania. The Eastern Sable is also the smallest of the African sub-species.

My friend and late colleague, Kay Naidoo shot the below magnificent Sable Bull on our ranch in Limpopo, South Africa a few years back.

The bull was just short of Rowald Ward by an inch, measuring 41 inches with perfectly symmetrical horns and made a stunning shoulder mount. A must for any trophy room.

As can be seen, the Sable went down in the water behind a dam, making recovery tough work. A Sable Bull can weigh up to 500 pounds.

Kay placed the bullet perfectly into the heart, but the prized Sable still ran off about 300 yards before expiring. These antelope are incredibly tough and trophy hunting for a Sable is a tough challenge. Kay used a 300 Win Mag loaded with 180 grain expanding tip.

How much are Sable Hunting Prices?

The safari hunting cost will be split into two components, namely the day fees and the trophy fee. The day fee will be dependent on the location, the duration of the hunting safari and the service provided by the hunting lodge. 

See below chart for the average Sable Trophy Fees in Africa

When trophy hunting Sable, it is very important to be able to differentiate between a male and a female as both sexes have horns.

Many people will confirm that a male Sable is jet black, with a prominent white belly, while the females are dark brown. Many older females, also change to black, so the hunter will need to have a look at the horns. If all else fails, the hunter can glass and try get a glimpse of the Sables penis which can be quite prominent.

A male Sables horns are generally longer and thicker at the basis. A male Sables horns can become so long, that in fact in length they are second only to a Kudu Bull.

Breeding and Sable Hunting in South Africa

Ranch owners over the last decades have focused heavily on Sable breeding, both the Zambian Sable and the Matetsi Sable. If the conditions and habitat are right, you will be sure to find trophy Sable antelope on every ranch.

While the majority of Sable are left to free range, numerous ranches are focusing on intensive breeding programs. In these camps, ranch owners can manage worms and parasites and focus on genetic diversification.

When it comes to Sable hunting, size counts. While a Rowland Ward trophy is at 42 inches and SCI at 96, this size is now almost below the average Sable bull measured and hunted in South Africa.

Armstrong is in fact the first Sable bred in South Africa who measures an incredible 61 and 6/8 inches at only 6 years old. Stats released by Thaba Tholo Game Breeders.  

Mature Sable bulls who can no longer contribute to the gene pool, or do not meet the breeding requirements are sold off to ranches for the purpose of being hunted.

The Social Structure of Sable Antelope

• Females normally gather in herds ranging from between 15 to 30 members and share and occupy the same home range.
• Female Sables are highly aggressive. A female hierarchy system is in place based on seniority and often younger females are injured when experiencing the wrath of the leader.
• Bulls will drop to their knees and engage in horn wrestling. Maternal herds are also led by a dominant male.
• Sable can also make quite a few, what can be described as “horrific sounds”. It may sound as if someone is being murdered and these “screeches” can often be heard at night.

When is the best time to book a Sable hunting safari in Africa?

In some countries, like South Africa Sable hunting takes place throughout the year. Summers in Africa can become very hot and unpleasant and unless the hunter prefers these conditions, hunting in the summer months is to be avoided.

Sable hunting is best done in April through to August being winter in Southern Africa.

How to hunt a trophy Sable antelope

Sable in Africa are best hunted in the early morning or late afternoon and can be spotted from an elevated position by glassing the surroundings. Hunters, after identifying a trophy Sable antelope will then cautiously stalk the Sable and try to obtain a good shooting line.

Hunters in certain areas of Africa do also practice the “ambush technique” and hide in blinds or shelters near watering points or on game trails. This method has also proven to be effective.

Where do you shoot a Sable antelope?

Shot placement, like on the majority of African antelope is a third of the way up the front leg which will hit the heart. A slight miss will result in a double lung shot which will also be fatal. Ignore the hump on the shoulder when allocating the 1/3 distance from the bottom of to the top of the shoulder, else the bullet will be placed too high.

When hunting Sable, avoid the neck/spine shot as the target is small. Missing the target area will not be fatal and will be sure to result in a long day of following tracks for a follow up shot.

Attempting a headshot will not be recommended by the professional hunter. Besides being a small target area, the hunter will be sure to ruin the trophy.

What rifle should be used for the Sable hunt?

Do not underestimate a Sable bull, these antelope are tough. The very minimum caliber recommended when Sable hunting is a .270 caliber. A larger caliber, such as a 30.06-, or 300-Win Mag would be a better option. Should the Sable charge the hunter, which does happen, then bigger is better.

The below image shows my mate Steve and his Sable Bull hunted at our ranch in Limpopo, South Africa. Note the exit wound. The Sable bull was standing, quartering towards Steve and the bullet went right through the Sable, exiting behind the shoulder blades. Steve used a 30.06 with a 180 monolithic tip. This trophy Sable antelope, while looking bigger than he was, still measured 42 inches on the dot. .

Sable Hunting and Safari Game Combinations

Hunting Safaris for exotic Sable is often combined with either other plains antelope, or exotic species such as a trophy Roan and or that dream 55 inch plus Kudu bull.

A Sable hunting safari often includes dangerous game, such as a Cape Buffalo which is a popular African combination.

As all the above species are hunted during the day, depending on the location of the safari, adding a few nocturnal animals is also a consideration if the safari spans a lengthy period. Hyena hunting, along with a combination of either Hippo Hunts, or a Crocodile hunting is also becoming exceptionally popular.

The reality is that African hunts, while affordable still cost a substantial amount of your hard-earned money. So, if other species are available try and combine into a single hunting safari.

Are Sable antelope good to eat?

Sable make for fantastic eating. But, as Sable is classified as a game meat, remember the fat content is very low, so do not overcook the meat. Sable is preferred to beef.

As your successful Sable hunting safari starts coming to an end, ask your Chef to whip up simple Sable Back Strap recipe, you will not be disappointed.

Here is a simple and easy recipe to enjoy, from local ingredients found in all African countries.

Step 1: Marinade the Sable Back Strap

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Worchester Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, Maple Syrup (or any sweet substitute), ginger and of course garlic.

Whip them all together and let the Sable backstrap marinade for any 4 to 6 hours. If you still around the hunting lodge for a couple of days, 12 to 18 hours marinade will work even better. If the backstrap still has the “silver piece”, like a fillet steak, remove before marinading.

Step 2: Heat the Barbeque

Heat the barbeque, or otherwise known in Africa as a “braai” to a hot enough temperature to ensure that the meat is seared. No more than 5 minutes either side and do not cut the Sable back strap into medallions before grilling.

Remove and allow to rest. Sable backstrap can be well paired with a fresh berry reduction sauce.

Trophy Sable antelope and Taxidermy options

If your hunting budget can include a full mount of the Sable, it would be recommended. Sable make magnificent mounts but do take up some space in the trophy room.

If space and budget is potentially a problem, Sable make fantastic pedestal and shoulder mounts, perfect for any center piece.

Taxidermy Hints: Remember to advise the taxidermist as to which direction the Sable must be looking.  Not only left or right, but if mounted high, include the downward angle.  If you are wanting the horns to have that natural African feel, do not have them polished and blackened.

Conclusion: Sable hunting makes for a memorable and absolutely stellar safari. If you have not yet had the privilege of hunting Sable, be sure to add the Sable to your bucket list of African hunts.

Author: PC van Wyk