Gemsbok hunting question

[Towman1992]

Hey guys new to the forum so hope I’m doing this right. Wanting to save up for a gemsbok hunt within the next 1-2 years. Needing some advice on where to go, how much (roughly) it would cost to do this with me being in the USA, how much (roughly) to do a shoulder mount. Been wanting to do this since I was a teenager and really wanna do it now! Any firsthand experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BourbonTrail]

My experience:
- Gemsbok trophy fee: $1100
- Gemsbok wall pedestal: $1200

I hunted mine in the Kalahari (RSA, NW province), and I loved every second of it. I recommend hunting them in the Kalahari parts of RSA, Namibia, or Botswana. I believe you can also hunt them in the Namib desert of Namibia as well.

They were my favorite antelope growing up, and that hasn’t changed since hunting them. They can be brought down with whitetail cartridges, but I think staying in the 300 Win mag+ range gives more margin for error.

 

[Fatback]

If you look around you can find some good deals in Namibia as far as trophy fees for a Gemsbok. As far a taxidermy, that can vary greatly depending on where you get it done. They are an awesome animal to hunt and make for a beautiful mount.

 

[Justbryan]

Gemsbuck are native to South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. The Kalahari either in South Africa or Namibia would be my choice for a first hunt. But you should add springbuck, zebra, wildebeest, and others to your list. It is not very cost effective to do a one animal hunt. The plane ticket and travel will be a big cost for just one trophy. Consider one of the package hunts that includes day fees. Good luck. You will get some offers from multiple PHs.

 

[Towman1992]

My experience:
- Gemsbok trophy fee: $1100
- Gemsbok wall pedestal: $1200

I hunted mine in the Kalahari (RSA, NW province), and I loved every second of it. I recommend hunting them in the Kalahari parts of RSA, Namibia, or Botswana. I believe you can also hunt them in the Namib desert of Namibia as well.

They were my favorite antelope growing up, and that hasn’t changed since hunting them. They can be brought down with whitetail cartridges, but I think staying in the 300 Win mag+ range gives more margin for error.

So is $5000 a safe bet it would cost to do the whole hunt,mount,flying over there etc.? Is there an outfitter you would recommend contacting?

 

[Justbryan]

It is all spread out over at least a year or more. You will have outfitter deposits, flights, transportation, hotels, trophy fees, day fees (unless included in package), tips, dip & pack, shipping, broker fees, taxidermist deposit, completed taxidermy.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I noticed this past year prices gave gone up dramatically, particularly for kudu. I still was able to get a deal on gemsbuck bull (my third) for $1200.

30-06 is plenty enough gun and if you rent a rifle from a lodge I can almost guarantee that's what they will give you. Cows will typically have longer horns than bulls but be careful shooting one. Only on PH's instruction. Cows will drop calves at any time of year so he needs to ascertain if she's pregnant or not. My first one was a very old cow that had escaped and was on the wrong property. She was probably too old to make calves and only wasting range where she was located. This year I shot a fine old lone bull that had been evicted from the herd. He had been on the range too long anyway. Perhaps breeding his own progeny. Typical of desert antelope, gemsbuck can't jump a four foot fence (but they can knock them over if pressured). They are quite wary, usually in herds with many eyes, and often running with zebra, which are equally if not more wary. I have also found them hanging out with giraffe, using their elevated eyes to sound the alarm. I find gemsbuck to be one of the more challenging plains game to hunt. Kudu are, of course, at the top of that list.

 

[Justbryan]

It would be hard to stay within a $5000 budget in today's economy. Can it be done? Maybe but with a little more budget you could get a lot more bank for your buck. Remember you will not have to pay the final bill on taxidermy for about a year.

 

[Justbryan]

It would be hard to stay within a $5000 budget in today's economy. Can it be done? Maybe but with a little more budget you could get a lot more bang for your buck. Remember you will not have to pay the final bill on taxidermy for about a year.

 

[sgt_zim]

Hey guys new to the forum so hope I’m doing this right. Wanting to save up for a gemsbok hunt within the next 1-2 years. Needing some advice on where to go, how much (roughly) it would cost to do this with me being in the USA, how much (roughly) to do a shoulder mount. Been wanting to do this since I was a teenager and really wanna do it now! Any firsthand experiences would be greatly appreciated.

You should reach out to @Limcroma Safaris - they've got some really sweet deals going. I'm hunting with them next August, oryx is one of the animals on my list (5 animals on my list), and it's way less than you might imagine. Still not inexpensive, but I guarantee you couldn't touch a guided moose hunt in AK for even twice the price I'm paying for this trip to RSA. Oh yeah. My package includes bringing my wife, and we get a day at a national park for sightseeing on top of the hunting.

Unless you're going after dangerous game, I don't know of anyone who goes to Africa to try and take a single animal - I haven't even seen any plains game hunts offered where there were fewer than 4 or 5. Maybe they're out there, but pick out a few others you think you might like. Wildebeest isn't called "the poor man's cape buffalo" for nothing.

 

[375Fox]

Go to Namibia or Botswana for a gemsbok. They are native there and very reasonable pricing. They are native to parts of South Africa too but most of it they are not and have been introduced and also come with higher trophy fees. You really need to plan a weeklong hunt with several trophies to make this make sense, not just one animal. Namibia would be $300-$500/day and $700-$900 for a gemsbok depending on outfitter add additional trophies per price list or agreed package. The problem comes with fixed costs. You are going to pay $1500-$2500 to fly there whether you shoot 1 trophy or 10. Even just one trophy I don’t think you’ll find freight shipping under $500 likely much more, the cost per trophy to ship will be less the more you shoot. The customs broker and inspection on US side will still be minimum $500+. Save up for a more complete hunt and you’ll get more for your dollar. The best part of hunting africa to me is really you book the days not just a species, so you can utilize a whole hunt. Just one gemsbok you may be done on the first morning. Look at going to Namibia for kudu, gemsbok, hartebeest, springbok, warthog and you’ll have a good hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

So is $5000 a safe bet it would cost to do the whole hunt,mount,flying over there etc.? Is there an outfitter you would recommend contacting?

Shop for deals. Lots (countless?) outfitters can set you up for gemsbuck. Search the websites. I have to say, it really doesn't make much sense just going for gemsbuck. As long as you're spending the money to fly over there, you may as well take some other species. Impala, blesbuck, springbuck, warthog are all fairly cheap. Blue wildebeest can often be had reasonable too. Get your gemsbuck shoulder mount and the rest euro skulls that your taxidermist here can do up for you very cheaply.

Air fares are very much in flux right now. Hard to say what they'll be next month, let alone next year.

 

[MAdcox]

Gemsbok are wonderful animals to hunt and make great memories hanging on the wall. A big bull will make a perfect main target for a first hunt. I do agree with @Justbryan in that it is a long and expensive flight for a one animal hunt. You could make a 5-6 day hunt and add some smaller, budget friendly animals like Springbok, Impala, Steenbok, etc. to have a great first trip to Africa. Namibia or the Northern Cape of South Africa would be a very good place for big Gemsbok. Good luck planning and hope you get there soon. Just be aware that it will be the most addicting thing you have ever done.

@KowasAdventureSafaris has a great deal on Gemsbok in Namibia were you could take two for the normal price of one. And they have execllent Gemsbok there.

This is my best bull to date from the Northern Cape. It is probably my most memorable hunt, but that was due to some poor shooting and tremendous tracking on this tough old bull. 9 hours between my first shot and my second.

 

[Hogpatrol]

If possible, attend one of the shows and speak with different outfits. You'll come away with a good feel for hunt costs. Would also speak with Gracy Travel or Travel Express about transportation, meet & greet and rifle permitting. As others have posted, 5k budget for your whole enchilada is going to be tough as is a one animal, short duration hunt.

 

[375Fox]

Gemsbok are wonderful animals to hunt and make great memories hanging on the wall. A big bull will make a perfect main target for a first hunt. I do agree with @Justbryan in that it is a long and expensive flight for a one animal hunt. You could make a 5-6 day hunt and add some smaller, budget friendly animals like Springbok, Impala, Steenbok, etc. to have a great first trip to Africa. Namibia or the Northern Cape of South Africa would be a very good place for big Gemsbok. Good luck planning and hope you get there soon. Just be aware that it will be the most addicting thing you have ever done.

@KowasAdventureSafaris has a great deal on Gemsbok in Namibia were you could take two for the normal price of one. And they have execllent Gemsbok there.

This is my best bull to date from the Northern Cape. It is probably my most memorable hunt, but that was due to some poor shooting and tremendous tracking on this tough old bull. 9 hours between my first shot and my second.

View attachment 558799View attachment 558800

What did that bull measure? That’s a great gemsbok. Here my best 39.5 with really heavy bases from NW Namibia, easily a 40+ bull during it’s prime.

 

[lawrence_court]

The following is just my advice learned from lots of trips -- Namibian mountains are very good, scenic hunting for gemsbok. Wait for a nice bull. There is a special pleasure in hunting African animals where they naturally occur. Reconsider the shoulder mount. The dollars you spend will get you two or three more animals (springbok/warthog/blesbuck etc). A skull mount gemsbok looks great, and the mounts just end up getting in the way over time.

All the above I have learned the expensive/long way. Lastly, it's often a good idea to ask some outfitters if they have anything on their area in surplus that they can cut you a deal on. They always have stuff they want to shoot out, and they will use these as an enticement to have you come to their place.

Again, just my two cents. Hope it helps.

 

[Gemsbok45]

If you are some time till going,start putting in for New Mexico.Tough draw but if you’re lucky 3-4 k. Shorter flight too!

 

[MAdcox]

What did that bull measure? That’s a great gemsbok. Here my best 39.5 with really heavy bases from NW Namibia, easily a 40+ bull during it’s prime.
View attachment 558811

I measured him when he came home at just shy of 40. Couldn’t quite stretch my tape enough to hit the magic number. Surprising to me was he was almost perfectly symmetrical between 39.6 and 39.8 both horns. I love how he stays so heavy all the way up.
That bull of yours is a stud!

 

[fourfive8]

Oryx is a great choice for a selective PG hunt. Kind of unusual as most go straight to kudu and stumble into oryx as an afterthought. With good planning and restraint you might be able to do a good hunt on a fairly limited budget.

I would suggest to not overlook the possibility of other PG in the area while hunting oryx. Kudu and eland would be obvious possibilities. So probably good idea to go with open mind on some likelihood for alternate PG. Visualize the scenario of poking around the rolling sand and scrub of the Kalahari on the lookout for a good bull oryx, when a 60 inch kudu pops up!!! Or a big blue eland bull decides to tease you with a tracking challenge! I would not arbitrarily choose a 30 inch oryx bull and give up the possibility of a 55-60+ kudu or a tracking hunt for a good eland bull.

Do google search of the Kalahari. It will cover major portions of Botswana and Namibia and a corner of RSA. The Kalahari (and Namib) would be areas to look at and would be the primary native homeland for the oryx you are wanting to hunt.

Here’s one from Central Kalahari area of Botswana.

 

[Sideshow]

What did that bull measure? That’s a great gemsbok. Here my best 39.5 with really heavy bases from NW Namibia, easily a 40+ bull during it’s prime.
View attachment 558811

Have to agree with you off all the places I traveled when working in Africa as an overland driver NW Nam had the some of the best Oryx. Looks like you had a tough hot hunt over that ground @375Fox
Did you make it as far up as Epupa falls? Awesome up that way.
Anything north of Etosha nat park and you really see some wick scnery, land scapes and people.