Gemsbok or red lechwe?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, the outfitter I’m going to in RSA has both these animals at a similar price,(in fact the gemsbok is $200 more expensive). The outfitter doesn’t seem to put up lots of gemsbok images so maybe less common on the ground that they have.

If it was either or, which one would you go for? They’re both ‘bonus’ animals for me if the week was going well so I thought it was worth asking. I’d say gemsbok are probably more on folks initial bucket list for some reason?


Thanks!

 

[skydiver386]

Lechwe is on my list right at the top.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

My first question is, when are you going back, and where? I hunted my Gemsbok in Namibia where they are endemic, cheap, and big.

On my next trip in RSA I'm targeting Lechwe. In your circumstances I'd do the same. Then hunt Gemsbok later in a more suited area. They're a fantastic trophy and hunt.

 

[ActionBob]

Folks, the outfitter I’m going to in RSA has both these animals at a similar price,(in fact the gemsbok is $200 more expensive). The outfitter doesn’t seem to put up lots of gemsbok images so maybe less common on the ground that they have.

If it was either or, which one would you go for? They’re both ‘bonus’ animals for me if the week was going well so I thought it was worth asking. I’d say gemsbok are probably more on folks initial bucket list for some reason?


Thanks!

It depends upon which is endemic to the area you are hunting. Hunt Namibia or at least a part of the Kalahari or even the Karoo for Gemsbok.

Always prefer to hunt species in their native habits if possible. They tend to be better specimens, healthier as most adapted naturally.

On the other hand the red lechwe i "shot" in RSA was not really more of a hunt. They stood around with outfitter desperately urging me to shoot one quickly. I'm sure that was because he wanted me to shoot before it came over to get petted...

Maybe find another bonus animal or shoot a lechwe if you never think you will get North to their natural areas. But know what you are getting

Sorry I had to edit my post. My mind saw RSA and read Red Hartebeest. Which if you are not planning on one, that is what you should go for!

 

[Field28]

I'd go with the Lechewe for sure.
I completely agree with Tim's previous post, Gemsbok are extremely cheap in Namibia. Nam's national animal, kinda like Springbok being so cheap in ZA.

 

[375Fox]

Neither are native to area. Lechwe actually aren’t native to South Africa at all. If it was me I’d hunt a second kudu but given your options I think I’d go with lechwe. Most individuals won’t get chance to hunt them in native range. Gemsbok in their native range are very accessible.

 

[Firebird]

Lechwe-save gemsbok for Namibia

 

[mark-hunter]

If it was either or, which one would you go for? They’re both ‘bonus’ animals for me if the week was going well so I thought it was worth asking. I’d say gemsbok are probably more on folks initial bucket list for some reason?

Take letcwe. (If not noth of them)
Letchwe in premium game and commands much higher price in average offers.
You will always find gemsbok somewhere for good price. Letchwe not so often.

Gemsbok, is common animal, especially in Namibia for attractive price, thus many take it on their starter package.
Letchwe is not so common.

 

[Hunt anything]

I would take the lechwe, but if I was going to have to choose, try and look at both on the hoof and see which one turns your key when seeing them in the flesh.

 

[MarkB]

Vote for what others have stated. Skip the gemsbuck, its an awesome, real wild hunt in Namibia. Unless you have funds and plans to hunt a lechwe in countries where they are natural, wild born and not fenced. Then take the SA lechwe.

Or ask outfitter if there are other "free range" animals that could be substituted, bushbuck, reedbuck come to mind.

MB

 

[mdwest]

I'd take the lechwe.. but for me, its really more of a matter of gemsbok being fairly common in the places Ive hunted (seen numerous gemsbok on 6 of the 7 safaris we've completed..).. and Ive never seen a lechwe.. and my wife has already taken a couple of gemsbok (Ive never personally taken one).. so we already have a very nice "trophy" animal in the house..

that said, if things were different... I'd probably go after the gemsbok (assuming I had never seen either before, might not be returning to Africa anytime soon, etc)... I find them to be prettier animals and more iconic plains game..

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Both are lovely species. Of the two, all being equal, I would choose the Gemsbok simply because it is a unique animal and looks like nothing else and they are often a very challenging hunt unlike some of the African species. I have not yet had the chance to hunt Lechewe but am considering it as an add on to my next trip. I do not know where in RSA you plan to hunt but as others stated, when choosing between the two, it will always be better to choose the animal that thrives in that region. For example, up north in the Limpopo where they sometimes have to deal with ticks, the Gemsbok often do not do well as most of them are not adapted to that environment. They do much better further south in Free State or Eastern Cape and of course are native to Namibia where they are more plentiful. I did not know this at the time and was luck to be able to find a nice one on my hunt. Another item, I did not know going in was that the females have the larger horns on average making them a target. In my case I took a bull and was more than happy with it.

Gemsbok bull taken in Limpopo at 202y with a 308, 180g bonded. 1sh DRT
This and a record Bushbuck were the two most challenging PG taken on that trip. GB do not stand around and wait to be shot.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Lechwe are expensive generally. If your outfitter is charging $200 more for gemsbuck, that's no bargain. They are relativelty cheap and frequently offered in package deals. Your outfitter should be able to come up with a better deal. They usually know some other landowner looking to cull out an old bull that's starting to breed his own progeny.

 

[Red Leg]

I would not be real interested in hunting either in the area you seem to be describing. The gemsbok is native to Namibia and the Kalahari and are a great hunt in that native environment (and a very affordable one). The Lechwe is a creature of riverine swamps and savannahs. It is that environment that makes the hunt special - otherwise it is a bit like taking plugging one off a game farm in Texas. If I am visiting a trophy room and ask a question about a lechwe and the answer begins, "there I was in the Limpopo ...." I'll go fix another drink.

And I hasten to add, if you want to hunt either species behind a fence in South Africa there is nothing wrong with that. It is just that both can be part of iconic hunts in their native environment.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I would not be real interested in hunting either in the area you seem to be describing. The gemsbok is native to Namibia and the Kalahari and are a great hunt in that native environment (and a very affordable one). The Lechwe is a creature of riverine swamps and savannahs. It is that environment that makes the hunt special - otherwise it is a bit like taking plugging one off a game farm in Texas. If I am visiting a trophy room and ask a question about a lechwe and the answer begins, "there I was in the Limpopo ...." I'll go fix another drink.

And I hasten to add, if you want to hunt either species behind a fence in South Africa there is nothing wrong with that. It is just that both species can be part of iconic hunts in their native environment.

Yeah, you can just go fix yourself a drink at the Mint Bar down the street. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.

My daddy didn't leave me a bunch of oil wells so I have to settle for hunting gemsbuck and lechwe in less "iconic" settings. Gemsbuck in South Africa don't like being shot any less than the ones in Namibia. The hunt for them can be equally challenging in both settings.

 

[Red Leg]

Yeah, you can just go fix yourself a drink at the Mint Bar down the street. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.

My daddy didn't leave me a bunch of oil wells so I have to settle for hunting gemsbuck and lechwe in less "iconic" settings. Gemsbuck in South Africa don't like being shot any less than the ones in Namibia. The hunt for them can be equally challenging in both settings.

Texas Hill Country as well, and you can save the overseas airfare and much of the import hassle. Based on your experience, I am sure it too would be a great hunt. And not to worry, I am confident I will never be near your place or the Mint Bar. One other thing, my father was teacher.

 

[375Fox]

My daddy didn't leave me a bunch of oil wells so I have to settle for hunting gemsbuck and lechwe in less "iconic" settings. Gemsbuck in South Africa don't like being shot any less than the ones in Namibia. The hunt for them can be equally challenging in both settings.

How would you know if you won’t look elsewhere? You don’t need to inherit oil wells to hunt ranches in Namibia. The pricing is very similar overall to South Africa and in the case of gemsbok considerably less expensive trophy fees because they are native and available widely free range. However, I think in your case subjecting only one outfitter in Africa to you is plenty.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Gemsbok are indigenous in large parts of south africa much larger parts than what people think

There are many species in namibia that are not endemic there but no south african outfitters will memtion it to perspective namibian clients
We dont operate like that

Each to his own

The lechwe is an amazing trophy and good looking animal as is the gemsbok
See what presents a great opportunity when you are there and take it

 

[375Fox]

Gemsbok are indigenous in large parts of south africa much larger parts than what people think

There are many species in namibia that are not endemic there but no south african outfitters will memtion it to perspective namibian clients
We dont operate like that

Each to his own

The lechwe is an amazing trophy and good looking animal as is the gemsbok
See what presents a great opportunity when you are there and take it

Except you just did. Hunters advising other hunters is very different than outfitters advising hunters about other outfitters.

 

[Andrew62]

Given your post, Lechwe is the easy answer for me.