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Plains Game Hunts

White Blesbok Hunting – About White Blesbok Hunts

Author Nick Bowker

Summary

White Blesbok hunting is the perfect trophy for the first-time hunter in Africa.

Shooting distances are longer on the open plains for blesbok game hunters. Blesbok hunts take place on the open plains in South Africa. Hunters may also encounter other game species such as black wildebeest and common blesbuck, highlighting the diversity of wildlife available during your hunt.

Once near extinction, this game antelope has been reintroduced. South Africa’s game farms boast a population in the hundreds of thousands.

There are no seasonal restrictions on trophy hunting blesbok in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Bowker Hunting offers white Blesbok trophy game hunts year-round.

Low fence hunting for a white blesbok.

Join us for a blesbok hunting safari  at Hopewell Hunt Lodge. Blesbok hunting is included in many of our safaris packages—Hunt Africa with Nick Bowker. Common and white blesbok are often found mixed within the same herds, offering unique trophy opportunities for hunters seeking both color variations.

Identifying and tracking both common and white blesbok is important for trophy hunting, as each presents distinct physical characteristics and appeal for collectors. Hunters must communicate effectively with their guides to ensure they shoot the correct blesbok in a herd, avoiding mistakes and ensuring a successful hunt.

Free-range bow hunting for Blesbuck in South Africa is difficult.

Hunting in Africa is a wonderful adventure and a lifelong memory.

Blesbok hunt
Hunt White Blesbok

Hunt White Blesbok

With the guidance of experienced guides and professional hunters, both novice and seasoned hunters can enjoy a rewarding blesbok hunt.

The white blesbok is known for its striking appearance, with its pure white coat making it stand out on the plains. As a trophy blesbok, it is highly sought after by hunters and collectors alike. The trophy horns of male white blesbok can reach a length of up to 20 inches, curved with sharp tips. Females’ horns are generally shorter and thinner than those of males, making the larger, thicker, S-shaped horns of males a key feature for identifying trophy quality.

African white blesbok safari hunting.

Whether you are pursuing your first trophy or adding a unique variation to your collection, hunting white blesbok in South Africa promises an unforgettable experience. The wild and authentic nature of the safari ensures a true African adventure. Safari Club International (SCI) sets minimum scoring standards for trophy blesbok, so hunters may wish to consult SCI guidelines when evaluating their trophies.

A white blesbok can net you a unique trophy to hang next to the common variety, making it a prized addition to any trophy room.

White blesbok trophy shot with Nick Bowker.
Trophy Hunting White Blesbok

Description and Characteristics of White Blesbok

The white blesbok is a truly unique antelope species, instantly recognizable by its pure, striking white coat and elegant straw-colored horns. Unlike a subspecies, the white blesbok is a color mutation of the common blesbok, resulting from a recessive genetic trait. This rare coloration has made the white blesbok a highly sought-after trophy for hunters visiting South Africa, especially those looking to add a distinctive specimen to their trophy room.

Physically, the white blesbok closely resembles its common blesbok relatives. Males typically weigh between 70 and 80 kilograms and stand at a shoulder height of about 95 centimeters, while females are slightly lighter, ranging from 60 to 70 kilograms. Both sexes feature the characteristic curved horns, with mature males boasting impressive horn lengths that can reach up to 50 centimeters. These straw-colored horns, set against the animal’s white coat, create a trophy of exceptional visual appeal.

African white blesbok safari hunting.

White blesbok are most commonly found in the open grasslands and savannahs of South Africa, with the Eastern Cape being a prime destination for a white blesbok hunt. They thrive in large herds, often grazing on short grass and favoring newly sprouted vegetation in burnt out areas. This grazing behavior, combined with their preference for open plains, makes them both visible and challenging to approach, adding to the excitement of the hunt.

The social structure of white blesbok herds is fascinating, with territorial males displaying challenging and sometimes threatening behavior, especially during the mating season in April and May. During this period, dominant males defend their territories and compete for breeding rights, while females typically give birth to a single calf after an eight-month gestation. These large herds and dynamic interactions provide hunters with a glimpse into the natural behaviors of this remarkable antelope species.

African white blesbok safari hunting.

For hunters, the white blesbok offers a rewarding challenge. Their keen eyesight and tendency to gather in large groups on open grasslands require careful planning and skillful stalking. The best opportunities for a successful hunt are during the cooler morning and evening periods, when the animals are most active. Whether you’re considering a standalone white blesbok hunt or adding one to a broader hunting package, the experience is both memorable and worthwhile.

Trophy quality is a key consideration, with the white blesbok’s horn length and striking appearance making it a prized addition to any collection. Trophy fees for a white blesbok hunt in South Africa typically range from $600 to $900, depending on the outfitter and location, while comprehensive hunting packages can vary based on the number of trophies and days in the field.

White blesbok hunting in Africa.

In summary, the white blesbok stands out not only for its unique coloration but also for its challenging displays, herd dynamics, and the rewarding experience it offers to hunters. Whether you’re a seasoned trophy hunter or embarking on your first African safari, pursuing the white blesbok in the open grasslands of the Eastern Cape is an adventure that promises both excitement and a truly unique trophy

Introduction to Hunting White Blesbok

Hunting white blesbok in South Africa offers a truly memorable adventure for hunters seeking a unique trophy. The white blesbok stands out on the open plains with its striking white coat and distinctive straw-colored horns, making it a highly sought-after variation of the common blesbok. Unlike a subspecies, the white blesbok is a color mutation, adding to its rarity and appeal for collectors and enthusiasts of blesbok hunting.

White blesbok hunted in South Africa.

The Eastern Cape is renowned for its excellent white blesbok hunting opportunities, with large herds roaming the open grasslands. Thanks to the lack of seasonal restrictions, hunters can plan their white blesbok hunt at any time of year, taking advantage of the region’s favorable conditions. Hunting white blesbok is most successful when hunters are set up on approaches to feeding areas or water at dawn or dusk, as the animals are most active during these times, increasing the chances of a successful hunt.

With the guidance of experienced professional hunters, both novice and seasoned hunters can enjoy a rewarding blesbok hunt. Hunters of all experience levels can benefit from the expertise of guides, ensuring a safe and successful experience. Whether you are pursuing your first trophy or adding a unique variation to your collection, hunting white blesbok in South Africa promises an unforgettable experience.

Hunting White Blesbok

White Blesbok hunting
Hunting White Blesbok

Hunt White Blesbuck

t’s a great trophy to hunt while on safari. Many hunters plan to hunt blesbok in South Africa, considering factors like hunting methods, regulations, and trophy quality to ensure a successful experience.

The white blesbok is a color variant of the common blesbok, selectively bred for its unique appearance. Hunters can pursue white blesbok using various methods, including traditional firearms and black powder firearms, depending on their preferred hunting style.

The white Blesbok game is a color variant of the common Blesbok, not a subspecies such as the common reedbuck.

Hunting Blesbok white
Blesbok Hunts with Nick Bowker

White Blesbuck Hunting

It’s a great trophy to hunt while on safari. This is a must for any collector interested in the Blesbok color variations. Although the white gene has proved recessive, significant numbers of white Blesbok have been bred throughout Africa.

The price difference between a common blesbok and a white blesbok is relatively small (around $300).

Many hunters shoot the white Blesbok rather than the common Blesbok as their first Blesbok trophy in South Africa.

The method of hunting Blesbok is similar to pursuing a common or brown Blesbok on safari in Africa.

Shot Placement and Technique

Achieving a successful white blesbok hunt requires careful attention to shot placement and hunting technique. White blesbok, like their common brothers, are best hunted on open grasslands where they rely on their keen eyesight and herd behavior for protection. Hunters should be prepared for longer shooting distances, often requiring precise marksmanship and a steady hand. Hunters should aim for the vital organs, such as the lungs and heart, for an ethical shot.

For rifle hunting, a favorite deer rifle in the .243 to .308 caliber range, loaded with soft point bullets, is ideal for clean, ethical kills. Aim directly at the shoulder, targeting the vital area just behind the front leg at about one-third of the way up the body. Aiming at the half way point of the body is critical for a clean and ethical shot; shooting above this point can result in a longer and more difficult recovery of the animal. This shot placement ensures a quick and humane harvest, minimizing the risk of wounding the animal. Bow hunting is also possible, but requires careful stalking and patience, as white blesbok are alert and quick to detect movement on the open plains.

African white blesbok safari hunting.

When hunting white blesbok, it’s important to consider the animal’s territorial tendencies and challenging displays, especially during the mating season. Territorial males often mark their territory using pre orbital glands as part of their dominance rituals. Take advantage of the newly sprouted grass in burnt out areas, where blesbok feed and gather in large herds. Whether hunting from a blind or on foot, always be mindful of wind direction and approach quietly to avoid spooking the herd.

With the right technique, proper shot placement, and guidance from experienced professionals, hunters can enjoy a rewarding and ethical white blesbok hunting experience in South Africa’s open grasslands.

African white blesbok safari hunting.

White Blesbok Hunts

We offer competitive game hunt packages for rifle hunting in South Africa. Trophy blesbok hunts are a popular option for hunters seeking high-quality trophies, with year-round opportunities available for both experienced and first-time hunters. Hunting packages often include a licensed guide, hunting licenses, and permits, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for all participants.

White blesbok shooting takes place on our ranch in South Africa, where these animals are typically found in open grassland and areas with short grass. Game hunting takes the form of walk and stalk methods, requiring patience and careful planning. The expertise of a professional hunter is essential for locating, approaching, and ensuring a successful hunt. White blesbok prefer to graze on short grass, especially newly sprouted grass from burnt areas.

White blesbok hunting in Africa.

Blesbok is plentiful and free-ranging, with herds consisting of both males and females. Females play a key role in the herd’s social structure, and they usually give birth to a single calf after an eight-month gestation period. The breeding season for white blesbok occurs from March to May. White blesbok tend to rest during the heat of the day, making early morning or late evening the best times to hunt.

Outfitters offer cheap hunting prices for the hunter, but it is important to note that inaccurate shots can result in a long day of tracking and recovery.

Consider shooting a white Blesbok as an add-on to one of our hunting packages on your Africa hunt.

A rifle is included free of charge, together with ammunition, as part of our hunting day fees for hunting white blesbok.

Hunters can visit our contact pages for detailed booking and game hunting information.

White blesbok hunted in Africa.

White Blesbok Hunting Trophy Fees in South Africa

How much does it cost to hunt a White Blesbok?

The trophy fee as a standalone White Blesbok hunt is between $600$900.

Daily rates vary We offer competitive game hunt packages for rifle hunting in South Africa. Trophy blesbok hunts are a popular option for hunters seeking high-quality trophies, with year-round opportunities available for both experienced and first-time hunters.