Gemsbok - free state? (And possibly lechwe)

[Hunt anything]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

 

[DieJager]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

I think you are right but maybe other sources do state it otherwise.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Off topic a bit but in a recent magazine article I read the author stated “the black wildebeest, another of Botswana’s treasures” I thought they were only native to South Africa and any anyplace else they were stocked. Am I wrong?

Probably stocked but they've probably expanded range as well. They are quite the migrators from what I understand.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Probably stocked but they've probably expanded range as well. They are quite the migrators from what I understand.

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

 

[DieJager]

I am not quite sure but I would be surprised if they would have lechwe in an area in SA that is not high fenced. But that is definitely not the same as a recently released pheasant. A CBL lion yes that analogy would fit but there are enough reputable outfitters that have a somewhat self sustaining herd of lechwe.

 

[HookMeUpII]

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

I can't recall, have you been to RSA to hunt?

If you haven't, this is where things get tricky. The outfit I hunted with when I went had properties that were a bit more "domesticated" and then some that were very large, and very wild. The domesticated properties, looking back, were rather small and the animals didn't seem to react as quickly to human presence. Then we hunted 30,000 acre properties that took an hour and a half to drive across and that was only covering one small piece. Those animals you'd see for a second, then gone. We had to put a challenging stalk or two on them there.

Red Lechwe are definitely more put and take outside their range than gemsbok. Lechwe spend most of their time near water. If you see one in the middle of a property without any real appreciative water, they are generally out of their element.

Gemsbok, from what I've seen, adapt a little better. They are more suited to what you'd probably see in Free State. They are tough, generally not that keen on humans (regardless of the property), and will be a little more sporting.

 

[wesheltonj]

Gemsbok are native to the Northern Cape. Huge ranches there. Some ranches may have some Red Lechwe too. Easy flight to Kimberly or Sishen from JNB.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

This is where I get lost. Is hunting a gemsbok or lechwe in free state expanded range? I just really don’t want something that’s been recently released like a pheasant shoot.

The outfitter does have ground in Limpopo but I was trying to avoid anywhere high fence and do cattle fence areas. Maybe stupid but that was my main criteria

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

 

[Hunt anything]

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

A classic example of this is the nyala, they are expanding their range to the west along the Zambezi River but were introduced to the Eastern Cape and many other places in South Africa. Nyala have probably expanded their natural range in South Africa I believe they are native to Kwa-Zulu Natal. If I remember correctly.
I have a book at home that I’ve mentioned in other threads that has all of the species of game animals of Africa plus subspecies and it includes natural ranges and where they were introduced.
I can look up the title and author tonight if anyone is interested.

 

[DieJager]

A classic example of this is the nyala, they are expanding their range to the west along the Zambezi River but were introduced to the Eastern Cape and many other places in South Africa. Nyala have probably expanded their natural range in South Africa I believe they are native to Kwa-Zulu Natal. If I remember correctly.
I have a book at home that I’ve mentioned in other threads that has all of the species of game animals of Africa plus subspecies and it includes natural ranges and where they were introduced.
I can look up the title and author tonight if anyone is interested.

I would be interested for sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I can't recall, have you been to RSA to hunt?

If you haven't, this is where things get tricky. The outfit I hunted with when I went had properties that were a bit more "domesticated" and then some that were very large, and very wild. The domesticated properties, looking back, were rather small and the animals didn't seem to react as quickly to human presence. Then we hunted 30,000 acre properties that took an hour and a half to drive across and that was only covering one small piece. Those animals you'd see for a second, then gone. We had to put a challenging stalk or two on them there.

Red Lechwe are definitely more put and take outside their range than gemsbok. Lechwe spend most of their time near water. If you see one in the middle of a property without any real appreciative water, they are generally out of their element.

Gemsbok, from what I've seen, adapt a little better. They are more suited to what you'd probably see in Free State. They are tough, generally not that keen on humans (regardless of the property), and will be a little more sporting.

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Gemsbok are native to the Northern Cape. Huge ranches there. Some ranches may have some Red Lechwe too. Easy flight to Kimberly or Sishen from JNB.

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!

To me the term “expanded range” means natural expansion not introduction by man to new areas.

Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

 

[Hunt anything]

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!


Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

Don’t let the “game farm” bother you right away. What we would call a ranch in the states is what they call a game farm. This could mean 1,000 acres or 30,000 acres. Ask you operator the size of the property and you can make an informed opinion to hunt there or not. My 2cents.

 

[UKHunter]

Think you’ve just solved the debate over the two then. Gemsbok it is,(out of the two). I may well end up just scrapping the idea and going for a waterbuck but we’ll see. By the sounds of it, they won’t jump a cattle fence though either..
Maybe I can see why everyone goes for bushbuck

Interesting idea. Not sure if I’ll have time but can look into it!


Fair enough! If someone could say to me, gemsbok were released there 50 years ago, I’d be happy. If someone said “that animal was reared on a game farm” , I’d run a mile! Not sure if there’s any way of finding out ahead of time. Maybe ask the outfitter and hope they’re honest about it. Or avoid altogether

I think if you can’t ask your outfitter that question without questioning if you believe them, you have bigger problems ….

 

[wildfowler.250]

I think if you can’t ask your outfitter that question without questioning if you believe them, you have bigger problems ….

The thing is , you would never know. Just have to take things at face value . I guess this is the difference between RSA and say, western hunting in the states. If the animals aren’t farmed full stop then it removes any doubt. But I appreciate your point