Hyena?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, I’m intrigued by this as an option. I’m doing a first plains game hunt to KZN in 2025. Someone had recently gone with the outfitter and taken a hyaena at night, I presume with bait involved?

Trying to work out if this is a worthwhile hunt or not. I’m keen to try and maximise my time there. May also be burning the candle at both ends doing a day hunt and then a night hunt? Not overly fussed on bushpigs at this stage.

Anyone done it? Recommend it? Are there any other night time hunts worth considering?


I’m also very aware that taking a cites species will probably massively hold up at dip and pack?


As a side note when thinking about it, rabies vaccines worthwhile for over there? Suppose getting bitten by a dog or anything is possible..

 

[375Fox]

I’ve taken 3 hyena. Two over bait and one running down the road. They are a unique trophy but really don’t interest me that much. South Africa pricing is also generally very high. They are only typically $500+ in Zimbabwe. If you are looking for a different type of hunt I’d personally put a bushpig above a hyena for a trophy.

 

[375Fox]

Ive never got a rabies vaccine for Africa and think it’s generally unnecessary. Maybe if you were doing a bongo hunt in Cameroon with dogs, but not South Africa. South Africa is very developed and you have access to medical services if something was to occur. I would not try to pet a stray dog in town though.

 

[Sarg]

I’ve taken 3 hyena. Two over bait and one running down the road. They are a unique trophy but really don’t interest me that much. South Africa pricing is also generally very high. They are only typically $500+ in Zimbabwe. If you are looking for a different type of hunt I’d personally put a bushpig above a hyena for a trophy.

Can you still get a Hyena for US$500 in Zim ?

I ask as I have seen the price on all Hyena going up fast & more demand each year.

If you were referring to Spotted/Brown Hyenas being on CITES they aren’t, you need a TOPS permit in SA & a extra fee that was $300 & I think now over $1000 if you are in the US I think you can’t import the Browns not sure on Stripped ?

I love hunting Hyena, where I hunt both species are extremely switched on, Bushpig is also a great trophy & hunt, lacking on tusk size but awesome mount.

Rabies is about in SA & beware if bitten by any carnivore but it will be acting peculiar & your PH will be onto it & get you treatment (if he or you are silly enough to let yourself get bit) I was chasing a Big Civet Cat for a long time, couldn’t find one, well while I was out with hunters a Crazed Civet went into the Lodge Kitchen & attacked the girls & was in the end shot in the dinning room, obviously Rabies infected.

Oh on that Monkeys might carry it to so don’t let any Monkey/Baboon bite you either, actually sound advice at all times on all animals !!

My largest Brown, turned out to score No1 RW had a front foot missing from a Snare (I hate snares my main enemy & enemy of all African & maybe world wide animals) I have found snares or sign of snare injuries on most of the Hyena I & my guys have taken, even the Aardwolf the smallest of the Hyena family had a small snare around his neck !!!

 

[375Fox]

Can you still get a Hyena for US$500 in Zim ?

I ask as I have seen the price on all Hyena going up fast & more demand each year.

If you were referring to Spotted/Brown Hyenas being on CITES they aren’t, you need a TOPS permit in SA & a extra fee that was $300 & I think now over $1000 if you are in the US I think you can’t import the Browns not sure on Stripped ?

I love hunting Hyena, where I hunt both species are extremely switched on, Bushpig is also a great trophy & hunt, lacking on tusk size but awesome mount.

Rabies is about in SA & beware if bitten by any carnivore but it will be acting peculiar & your PH will be onto it & get you treatment (if he or you are silly enough to let yourself get bit) I was chasing a Big Civet Cat for a long time, couldn’t find one, well while I was out with hunters a Crazed Civet went into the Lodge Kitchen & attacked the girls & was in the end shot in the dinning room, obviously Rabies infected.

Oh on that Monkeys might carry it to so don’t let any Monkey/Baboon bite you either, actually sound advice at all times on all animals !!

View attachment 644184

My largest Brown, turned out to score No1 RW had a front foot missing from a Snare (I hate snares my main enemy & enemy of all African & maybe world wide animals) I have found snares or sign of snare injuries on most of the Hyena I & my guys have taken, even the Aardwolf the smallest of the Hyena family had a small snare around his neck !!!

View attachment 644185

I hunted dande with charlton McCallum safaris this year. They were $750 each. In 2021 they were $550 each. I see Tokoloshe offers them for $550 each in their 2024 offers. At least the community areas in Zimbabwe get a large quota of hyena. It was my understanding they don’t want the price too high as an incentive for more hunters to take one as an add on to their regular hunts. In safari areas it will be more expensive.

 

[autofire]

This August I dropped a very large spotted male hyena in Botswana. Night hunting, from chair on ground not back of truck. Used a caller with different hyena territorial and challenge calls. Called in a pack. Most exciting 10 minutes I've had in years. Spotted hyena are dangerous game and a pack at night would not hesitate to attack, kill you.