Hyenas are fast becoming sought after trophies on African Hunts and are a perfect “Add-on” specialty when plains game hunting, keeping hunters busy into the late hours of the night. Idle hands after all are the Devils playground.
A Hyena carcass is really nothing, but a tick and mite infested, foul smelling noxious carcass. If your African outfitter and hunting companions have been giving you trouble throughout the hunting safari, be sure to leave the Hyena carcass near to their sleeping quarters. That would be fair payback.
Once processed and mounted, Hyena make magnificent full mount trophies, perfect for any game hunting trophy room.
[DYNAMIC-BLOGTABLEOFCONTENT]
Hyena Trophy Measurements (SCI & Rowland Ward)
So, the Hyena hunting trip has been an overwhelming success. The time has come to measure the Hyena to confirm that this male harvested, is indeed a trophy Hyena.
When measuring the Hyena, the size of the Hyena skull will determine whether or not it is one for the record books.
In which African countries can Hyena hunting take place?
There are in fact four species of Hyena, not three as many people think. The Aardwolf is also part of the Hyena family.
Spotted Hyena hunting takes place over a wide area of Africa ranging from the East to the Western Coast right down to the Northern parts of Southern Africa. Spotted Hyenas, the largest of all the Hyenas occupy a variety of habitat areas, from extremely hot arid conditions to mountainous and cold terrains.
Brown Hyena hunting takes place in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Brown Hyena prefer semi-deserts, grass lands, woodlands and coastal areas.
Striped Hyena hunting only takes place in the African countries of Tanzania and Uganda. Striped Hyena live in grasslands, scrub forest and tropical savannahs.
While Aardwolf are naturally inhabit most of the East, West and Southern Africa, Aardwolf hunts normally only take place in Namibia or South Africa.
Can you hunt Hyena with a bow?
Yes, Hyena may be legally hunted with a bow in certain countries. As laws continually change, if considering a Hyena hunting trip, check in advance with your hunt broker.
Hyena Hunting Methods
When it comes to hyena hunting, the professional hunter may apply a few different tactics. During daylight hours, should vultures be spotted on the horizon, there would be a good chance that Hyenas would be in the area. More often than not Hyena’s are spotted by chance.
As Hyena are nocturnal, Hyena’s can be hunted from a blind making use of artificial light. The area is normally baited in advance using all the “left overs” from the plains game African hunts. This method is very similar when Lions or Leopards are being baited.
In some areas, hunters will stake out the spots where the skinners throw out all the bones and guts. If the “gut pile” is made regular use off. Not only Hyena’s, but all sorts of night critters such as Honey Badgers, Caracal, African Wildcats will be attracted to the area.
Hyena and their Social Structures
The Brown Hyena is a very solitary Hyena when foraging, but when it comes to mating season, they shake it up a little and move into small clans. These clans will include other adult Brown Hyena’s and their offspring.
Striped Hyenas more often than enjoy the solitary life and are very rarely spotted in groups.
Spotted Hyenas, or laughing Hyenas are they are also called, live in large groups which can reach more than one hundred group in size. This “Cackle” of Hyenas is lead by a single Alpha female who “calls the shots”.
How much are Hyena Hunting Trophy Fees?
Trophy fees for Hyena vary depending on the African country where the hunting safari will take place. As Hyena’s are often added on as an additional specialty species, rates for day fees are normally separate to the trophy fees.
In more recent times, hunting safaris are custom built especially for Hyena hunting and marketed as a standalone safari.
Hyena Hunting and Principles of “Fair Game”
Hyena should have lived without mans intervention for at least 2 years for it to be classified as fair game, The same would apply if a Hyena was captive bred.
What is the best rifle caliber to use when Hyena hunting in Africa?
As Hyena’s are often stumbled upon by change when on a hunting safari for other game species, the hunter often has to make use of what is available at the time.
A Spotted Hyena, while weighing in at over 150 pounds, is not an exceptionally tough-skinned animal.
A 7mm Rem Mag, or any thirty caliber, a 30.06, 308- or 300-Win Mag combined with high quality expending bullets will get the job done and anchor the Hyena.
If the hunting safari is aimed at larger antelope such as Roan, Sable and Kudu and should the hunter have a .375 available, these larger caliber rifle will be more than adequate. Like on any other African hunt, it is all about shot placement.
More importantly than the caliber, is the quality of the available optics. Decent light transmission qualities are important. Potential shots, if the Hyena is found by chance will be in poor light, will be early in the morning or late afternoon. If night hunting and baiting Hyena, chances are that the hunt will take place when there is no full moon. In modern days, optics fitted with night vision are also made use of.
What is the best ammunition to use when Hyena hunting?
As all hunters know, when trophy hunting any animals, it is never advisable to try and save on the cost of decent and quality ammunition. The cost of the bullets, whether purchasing Winchester, Hornady or Weatherby Magnum is tiny compared to all the other safari costs.
Quality ammunition, whether purchasing or reloading, fitted with good quality tips and primers is always essential.
What will the average shooting distance be?
Shooting distance will all depend on the circumstances, If the Hyena is stumbled upon (much like Cheetah hunting in Namibia) during the day, shots may go up to two hundred and fifty yards.
If the Hyena hunting is taking place by baiting the animal, shooting distance could be anything from forty yards to sixty yards.
Africa Hyena hunting and Safari budgeting/planning
When budgeting for the Hyena hunting trip, it is important to factor in all the secondary, or as people prefer to call them “hidden costs”.
Safari pricing and shipping costs, plus taxidermy costs are excluded which can cost a substantial amount. Also, Hyena are also hunted with limited quotas, to be sure to book and plan your safari well in advance.
Should I bring my Hyena trophy back to the US to mount?
No, It would be suggested that the Hyena trophy be handed in to a local taxidermy. The are fantastic Taxidermists in Africa who understand the Hyena and know exactly the type of work that needs to be done.
If I were hunting a Black Bear in the USA, I would not ship it back to Africa to be done locally..
What is the best time of year for Hyena Hunting in Africa
Hyena can be hunted all year round, in Africa there is no specific season. The best months to hunt Hyena will be the months from April through to August, namely the “Dry Season”.
The dry season, besides having the possibility of the hunting safari “rained out”, will also create better visibility conditions, perfect for the clear shot.
The African heat and humidity can be unbearable during the hotter months, resulting in more unpleasant critters such as pepper ticks, spiders and the likes which make for sitting in a blind challenged. See our blog about critters you may encounter on your hunting trip
Which species of Hyena is the most popular to hunt?
A Spotted Hyena hunt is the most popular. These Hyenas have a build resembling a small bear, prominent and rounded ears and a light brown mane.
It is estimated that there are between 30000 and 50000 Spotted Hyena spread throughout Africa. The Spotted Hyena is the largest of the Hyena species and sports a dual purposed formidable rack of teeth. This Hyena’s strong jaws can exert over 1000 pounds per square inch of pressure and can easily crack open bones to reach the succulent bone marrow. When the hunter stumbles across Hyena scat, it is normally a white color as a result of all the calcium.
Are Hyena’s good hunters?
Yes, Hyenas were historically only thought of as nasty scavengers. Hyenas are in fact excellent hunters. The majority of their meals are as a direct result of their own hunting efforts, but Hyena will try steal a free meal any chance they get.
Can female Hyenas be hunted while on Safari?
No, female Hyenas can not be hunted. The problem is that it is very difficult to distinguish between the male and female, as the females genitals look very similar to the males.
Rule of thumb, shoot the biggest one, or consult with the professional hunter.
Conclusion: Trophy hunting safaris for Hyena hunting are on the increase. Be sure to include this magnificent predator when booking your next hunting adventure.
Author: PC van Wyk