Mountain Reedbuck Hunting

The majestic Mountain Reedbuck: A premier African plains game trophy

If you are planning an African hunting Safari, the Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) stands out as one of the most challenging and rewarding plains game hunting trophies on the continent. Known for their elusive nature and rugged habitat, these antelopes offer an authentic, free-range experience for any hunter.

At Graham Sales Safaris, our experienced African Professional Hunters specialize in hunting these high-altitude specialists across their historical and present-day ranges, ensuring a sustainable and ethical hunt.

Understanding the Mountain Reedbuck

Unlike the Common or Bohor Reedbuck, the Mountain Reedbuck does not seek out typical floodplains or riparian habitats. Instead, their habitat is mountainous. They are far less water-dependent than their cousins, making them a unique challenge for those hunting Africa.

Their scientific name, fulvorufula, refers to their overall fulvous and rufous reddish-brown coloration, which allows them to disappear into the rocky outcrops of their home range.

Mountain Reedbuck subspecies

In the world of trophy hunting, geography and taxonomy go together. The subspecies have become fragmented and isolated from each other. While traditionally only two were recognized, a third has recently been added to the records.

Southern Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula fulvorufula)

As the name suggests, this subspecies is associated with the most southerly distribution, mainly in South Africa, south-eastern Botswana, and southern Mozambique. It is greyish in color, becoming light reddish-brown on the head and neck, with whitish underparts. The males have short horns with a soft base that hardens with age.

Chanler’s Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula chanleri)

Named after the explorer William Astor Chanler, this subspecies is found from northern Tanzania and western Kenya to the south-eastern corner of South Sudan and the central southern highlands of Ethiopia. It is grey in color overall, distinguished by a prominent blackish blaze down the front of the face.

Western Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula adamauae)

The most isolated of the three, this subspecies is found specifically in the Adamawa Mountains of Cameroon, offering a specialized target for those on a diverse Africa hunting trip.

Planning your hunt: The professional perspective

When you book with a top-tier African hunting Outfitter, we ensure you are prepared for the specific demands of the terrain.

Legal to hunt and sustainability

It is perfectly legal to hunt the Mountain Reedbuck in its primary ranges. We operate under strict conservation guidelines, ensuring that every hunt contributes to the local ecology. Sustainable trophy hunting is the backbone of African wildlife preservation, and we pride ourselves on being African hunting Outfitters who prioritize the health of the species.

Preferred caliber and equipment

Because you will often be shooting across valleys or at steep angles in windy conditions, we recommend:

Preferred caliber: .270 Win Mag, .243 Win Mag, .28 or .30 Nosler, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Any other .30 caliber, especially the .300 Win Mag, is also a great choice.

Optics: High-quality optics are essential for spotting these masters of disguise before they spot you. Vortex, Leupold, Zeiss, and Swarovski are all great choices.

Shot placement by Graham Sales

In plains game hunting in Africa, precision is everything. For Mountain Reedbuck, Graham Sales recommends a steady rest and a center-mass shoulder shot if the animal is broadside. This anchors the animal immediately in steep terrain where tracking can be difficult.