Shot Placement on Small Antelope

Shot Placement when Hunting Small Antelope in Africa

African plains game hunting is a tradition enjoyed by hunters for centuries. In some African countries, only royalty was allowed to hunt certain African plains game species.

Hunters, when booking African hunts, also include hunting small antelope in the game hunting safari, while focusing on nocturnal big game in the late afternoons and nights. When hunting leopards, for example, the big game safari can span 14-21 days, leaving the hunter plenty of free time during daylight hours to focus on African plains game hunting.

Hunting the Tiny 10 in African countries, with other small antelope species, is becoming a popular stand-alone game hunting safari. Some hunters are trying to target all the highly sought-after trophies during one African safari trip! This, of course, is a big challenge but not an impossible one.

Most of these tiny antelopes are found in many African countries, but certain species, like the Damara Dik-Dik, are endemic to Namibia.

Your Rifle Choice when Game Hunting Small Antelopes

Many game hunters when preparing for their African hunts prefer packing smaller caliber higher powered rifles fitted with bigger scopes for increased range when hunting these tiny antelopes. Calibers such as a .22 or .223 are chosen. Other game hunters prefer packing larger calibers loaded with solid bullets, moving slower and causing less hydrostatic shock on impact. This choice could be any thirty-caliber rifle.

In certain circumstances, such as Blue Duiker hunting in Africa, game hunters prefer low-caliber shotguns. Much consideration is given as to the best equipment for the job.

Once the decision of which rifle will be packed for the African game hunting safari, it all then comes down to shot placement. The reality is that these shy and cute antelope also need to be humanely killed. The antelope’s anatomy in terms of brain, heart, and lung positioning must be studied. Most of these small African antelope only weigh a few pounds, thus making the antelope and the trophy exceptionally delicate.

Duiker Side View Shot Placement, Small Antelope

Small Antelope Hunt: The Brain and Neck Shot

The brain is a tiny target, whether the antelope is large or small. The brain changes position every time the antelope moves its neck. The result is that the hunter could face a moving target that will not be ideal. While the brain and neck shot will be fatal, your professional plains game hunter will not recommend this shot and should not be a consideration on a game hunting safari.

As these small antelope are usually hunted for trophies, the shock of the bullet on impact will do catastrophic damage to the head on a brain shot, the result being a potentially ruined African plains game trophy.

Small Antelope Hunting:The Broadside Shot

The broadside shot is a popular one when hunting African plains game. Why? If the antelope is standing broadside, the hunter has an excellent target of the heart and lungs. This target is also known as the vital zone triangle. A direct hit to this zone will ensure the animal’s quick and humane demise and should be the main objective for any hunt, irrelevant of the species.

The heart is positioned low and sits just behind the shoulder of the antelope. The antelope’s lungs extend above the heart to just below the spine. A direct hit to this area will result in a rapid loss of blood and oxygen. A successful broadside shot placement will kill the antelope almost instantly. The result is minimal suffering and follow-up tracking involved.

Small Antelope Hunting: Quartering Away and Quartering Towards the Hunter

When hunting these small antelopes, the hunter will not always have a perfect broadside ideal shot placement position. These small antelope are used to early warning signs and hiding from predators. African antelope are always on high alert.

Should the broadside shot not be presented, the quartering away shot is the next best option. This shot placement may be challenging to the hunter, but it presents a unique opportunity and line directly to the vital organs.

The point of aim to ensure the perfect shot placement will be a line with the opposite shoulder. Entry will be just behind the nearest shoulder. The successful shot will penetrate the vital organs, with quick incapacitation of the small antelope.

If the shot is too far behind the target, it will miss the vital organs. The bullet will more than likely penetrate the antelope’s liver and stomach. When the antelope is quartering towards the hunter, the bullet must be placed in front of the shoulder on the neck side. Misjudging the bullet trajectory can result in the vital organs being missed.

Shot Placement: Low Caliber Shotgun

The most important consideration is distance when contemplating shot placement on small African plains game antelope, using a low-caliber shotgun. By distance, we refer to the yards between the big game hunter and the small antelope. Too far and not enough of the shot will penetrate. Too near, and the trophy will be decimated.

Patience is Key

A game hunting safari for a small African antelope is a privilege. The antelopes play a vital role in the ecosystems and demand great respect from local communities and international hunters.

If there is any doubt whatsoever, do not take the shot! African hunts generally require patience, but a game hunting safari for small antelope constantly on high alert for predators and danger takes this to a new level.

Shot Placement on Small Antelope

Shot Placement when Hunting Small Antelope in Africa

Your Rifle Choice when Game Hunting Small Antelopes

Small Antelope Hunt: The Brain and Neck Shot

Small Antelope Hunting:The Broadside Shot

Small Antelope Hunting: Quartering Away and Quartering Towards the Hunter

Shot Placement: Low Caliber Shotgun

Patience is Key

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