In my next life, I am going to come back as a honey badger. Why you may ask? It’s simple. Nobody messes with them or comments if they are grumpy, they get to sleep all day and eat as much as they like (honey included!), without anybody complaining. Plus, they are not scared to take on a full-grown lion if it messes with them! Sounds like a winning situation if you ask me!
All jokes aside, as far as interesting animals go, Africa’s honey badger is one of the numerous wildlife specialty species that many game hunting enthusiasts may overlook on a Zimbabwean hunting safari, but that are well worth a second glance – and adding it as a target on your next African hunt!
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Zimbabwe: A Prized Game Hunting Destination
- Located in southern Africa and sharing its borders with South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Mozambique, Zimbabwe is a landlocked country of 150, 872 square miles, boasting landscapes from high inland plateaus to sun-kissed valleys.
- Zimbabwe offers a range of wildlife species to enjoy hunting in Zimbabwe. From African plains game and dangerous game to specialty game species, there is something for everyone.
- When compared to other destinations offering African hunts, Zimbabwe is a safe and affordable option.
- Zimbabwe’s range of landscapes and terrains offers the hunters a challenging safari, including forests, savannas, and valleys.
- Game hunting is available all year round in the country.
- The country is renowned for its top-quality hunting trophies.
- Zimbabwe is one of the few destinations that offers night hunting under artificial lights if the hunter abides by specific laws and regulations.
- Zimbabwe’s game hunting grounds are largely untouched, and unspoiled, with quality hunting trophies on offer.
Zimbabwean Hunting Safaris: A Diverse Destination
As far as diverse African hunting destinations go, Zimbabwe rates are amongst the top contenders. Not only does this destination offer game hunting safaris targeting members of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, but also offers African plains game species, as well as specialty game options when hunting in Zimbabwe.
Dangerous Game Hunting
Zimbabwe is home to all members of the Dangerous 7, with six of the seven being available for hunting in Zimbabwe. The Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, hippo, and Nile crocodile offer hunters an exciting African hunting safari, with the rhino able to be viewed on game drive adventures, but not hunted. Each member has earned his place in the Dangerous 7, with every animal offering the hunter a unique and interesting challenge. All aggressive, all dangerous, and all happy to take the hunter out without a moment’s hesitation, dangerous game hunting is not for the faint-hearted – or those with bad shot placement!
African Plains Game
Zimbabwe is the land of opportunity when it comes to African plains game hunts. From members of the Tiny 10 to the elusive “gray ghost” or kudu, to the eland, wildebeest, and Chobe bushbuck, hunters are spoilt for choice with the sheer range of game available to target.
Zimbabwe’s untamed and natural hunting grounds make it the perfect destination to embark on an African plains game adventure, with sought-after trophies available throughout the year.
Specialty Game
Specialty game hunting options are where my heart lies. These creatures are often overlooked when it comes to African hunts as they are not the gung-ho members of the Big 5 or Dangerous 7, or majestic African plains game species to track and stalk across the savanna. Yet, there is something about them that attracts hunters. Is it the thrill of the hunt? The satisfaction of successfully targeting an animal, a case of man against beast? It might be, for many of these animals are clever, cunning, and highly underrated in terms of hunting adversaries. This brings us to the honey badger: An aggressive, fierce, and vicious omnivore that remains a prized game hunting trophy. One for the record books, and the trophy rooms – perhaps yours?
The Honey Badger
At A Glance:
Scientific Name: Mellivora capensis
Weight: 22-35 pounds
Shoulder height: 9-11 inches
Range: Africa, Asia, and India
The honey badger is an aggressive, fierce, and vicious animal that is found throughout Africa, Asia, and India. Preferring its solitude, it is a nocturnal omnivore that spends its days sleeping and resting out of sight and its nights foraging for food and searching for water.
Also known as a “ratel” in South Africa, the honey badger is renowned for its bad attitude, being a challenge to hunt, and being an unusual, sought-after game hunting trophy. Honey badger males weigh between 20-35 pounds, while the females tip the scales at 11-22 pounds. This vicious creature has a stocky body with short, strong legs. Their coat comprises coarse, mainly black, thick hair, with a white stripe running from the top of the body to the tip of its tail. It has incredibly thick skin that assists in its defense against attackers, together with its long claws on its front legs that are used both to dig and for defense.
Badgers are known as being fearless, opportunistic hunters, with a varied diet depending on what they can forage at the time. From insects, snakes, eggs, and birds, to roots, bulbs, fruits, and vegetables, honey badgers will consume whatever is in season or is plentiful at the time. They also have a particular fondness for honey and honeybee larvae. Although mainly a nocturnal hunter, the honey badger is willing to set out during the day in the company of a honeyguide bird. These birds are often referred to as indicator or honey birds and guide the honey badger to bee hives. The honey badger then breaks open the beehive, taking their fill and leaving the nest for the honeyguide to feast on.
This feisty little beast is an incredible hunter, and what it lacks in height and weight, it makes up for in sheer stamina and guts! Show me another specialty animal that will challenge an adult antelope, stand its ground against the notorious Cape buffalo, or try its hand (paw?) at chasing juvenile lions from their kill! Predators of this plucky little badger include lions, leopards, and hyenas with many of these species coming off worse for wear at times when challenging this gutsy animal.
Honey badgers prefer a dry habitat but are also known to live in forests or grasslands and are native to many countries worldwide, including areas in Africa, Asia, and western India. In Africa, the honey badger is hunted in numerous countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. Although the honey badger’s numbers are decreasing, it has a conservation status of “least concern” with the IUCN.
Are Honey Badgers Challenging to Hunt?
The short answer is most definitely yes!
- These badgers are aggressive, and fierce and will not back down, whether the danger is larger than they are, or not.
- They will fight to defend themselves and rarely admit defeat without putting up a fierce fight.
- Being nocturnal, they hide and sleep during daylight hours and are hunted at night.
- They are elusive, secretive, and excellent at hiding, making them a challenge to find and target during daylight hours.
- Hunting at night, from a blind or using a spotlight, can be a testing hunting safari for the hunter, who will need patience as well as excellent shot placement to penetrate its thick skin. Once again, correct shot placement is critical on this African hunt.
- Their tough skin is difficult to penetrate, and this should be taken into account when choosing a rifle, while this stands them in good stead when being preyed upon by predators.
FAQ: Honey Badger Hunting Safaris
Are honey badgers dangerous to hunt?
Yes, honey badgers are fierce, aggressive, and territorial animals that will fight to defend themselves and their home range. Targeting the honey badger on a Zimbabwean hunting safari is sure to be an exciting hunting adventure that will keep the hunter on his toes!
Do you require a special permit for Zimbabwean hunting safaris targeting honey badgers?
Yes, a special permit is required for honey badger hunting in Zimbabwe. Speak to your African outfitter about the regularities and quotas relating to honey badger African hunts.
Can I use a bow for honey badger hunting in Zimbabwe?
It should be noted (again!) that these are fierce, fast, and vicious creatures and although bow hunting is allowed, you will need to be a skilled bowhunter who can hit the sweet spot with speed and precision, to ensure a quick and humane death for the animal.
Can I hunt honey badgers at night?
Since honey badgers are nocturnal and spend their days in hiding and resting in underground burrows and dens, the chances of meeting a honey badger during daylight hours are minimal. That being said, if you have the shot take it! You will not regret this prized game hunting trophy.
Zimbabwean hunting safaris targeting honey badgers do occur at night, with the animal either being hunted with artificial lights or bait set and a temporary blind erected, with the hunter waiting for his prey to appear at the baiting station.
Where is the best location for a honey badger hunting safari in Zimbabwe?
Prime locations for targeting this specialty game species are to the west of the country, including Matabeleland North. This area is renowned for its leopard and lion African hunts and the honey badger is often targeted as an opportunistic trophy while hunters lie in wait for the larger apex predators. The honey badger, being both a superb predator and scavenger, comes to investigate the bait that has been set and they are then shot by the hunters in the blind.
What methods are used to hunt honey badgers?
Traditionally, Zimbabwean hunting safaris for honey badgers take place at night, either under artificial lights or baiting an area and waiting for this courageous creature to appear.
While not common, they may form part of an opportunistic hunting experience and encountered while out on an African hunt targeting another species. If that is the case, take the shot if it’s a good one and you are confident of your shot placement. It’s very unusual to see them out and about during daylight hours. You will not regret this unique game hunting trophy!
What Caliber rifle should I use on the Honey Badger Hunting Safari?
Honey badgers are tough, with thick skins and shot placement remains paramount for your Zimbabwean hunting safari. A quick, clean, and humane kill can be achieved with a small caliber rifle, like a .243 provided that your shot placement to the heart is well-placed and correct. A consideration for the hunter is a large caliber rifle making use of solid tips to lessen the chance of the trophy being ruined.
Interesting Facts about the Honey Badger
- Honey badgers live in dens. They use their strong, sharp front claws to dig burrows or dens that are used for shelter and to raise their young
- Their name comes from their love of honey since they love to eat both honey and bee larvae
- Honey badgers can survive snake venom. While snake venom can be toxic to many animals, the honey badger’s thick skin helps protect them against snake bites, and, to a large degree, they are resistant to snake venom
- They have a great sense of smell and use it when digging up sand to sniff out prey such as mice and rats that are hiding in underground burrows
- Honey badgers hardly ever stay in one place for an extended period of time and make use of many other animals’ burrows to sleep and rest
- Honey badgers have anal pouches that can spray a foul-smelling liquid, just like skunks
- Their numbers in the wild are declining, but they are listed with a red list status as that of “least concern” by the IUCN
- In some countries, such as Israel and Morrocco, they are a protected species
- They are solitary creatures that only really come together to mate
Honey Badgers: A Prized Game Hunting Trophy
Honey badger hunting in Zimbabwe is a great opportunity for an adrenaline-filled African hunt! Ticking the boxes of dangerous and exciting and calling for a hunter with patience, precise shot placement, and perseverance; honey badger hunts provide hunters with a great opportunity to target one of the most intelligent, courageous, and vicious creatures on African shores!
One cannot help but be both intrigued and in awe of this spunky, skilled, and spirited animal that sets itself aside from the rest. While it may not be the most picturesque or eye-catching trophy, it can be said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this hunter thinks the honey badger is a magnificent and worthy trophy to add to any game hunting collection.
Author: B. Hershensohnn