Kings Wildebeest

  • Average weight male: 250 kg
  • Average weight female: 180 kg
  • Shoulder height male: 150 cm
  • Shoulder height female: 135 cm
  • Mating season: March, April, May

Hunting kings wildebeest can be most exciting and we would recommended it to any hunter visiting Africa. This large beast, including its brothers (Blue and Golden Wildebeest), is what with good reason, is often referred to as the “poor man’s buffalo”. As both sexes carry horns and are of similar body size and color, sorting out the bulls from the cows can sometimes be difficult. Look for heavier muscled individuals with thicker horn bases and more droop – Rely on your PH. Older bulls will usually appear darker in color with wider stripes. Mature bulls can weigh as much as 600 pounds.

On the open plains, the wildebeest is easy to locate from a distance, however, stalking him (especially in the bushveld) is quite another story. He can be elusive and shy, so walk slowly into a suspected resting area, into or across the wind glassing well ahead for movement.

Blue wildebeest is an extremely tough antelope – hunting blue wildebeest with less than .270 caliber and a good 150-grain bullet is not recommended.

The prominent hump on the shoulder and the mane may often lead to a body shot placed too high – Be aware of this.

Draw up the back edge of the front leg and place the shot about one third into the body – not above the middle line. This ‘high heart’ shot will take heart and lungs. The animal will rock to the shot and probably go down within 50 yards. If your shot placement is not quite on the mark, be very cautious in a follow-up. This beast can be extremely dangerous when wounded. Approach a downed wildebeest from the ‘off’ side with great care, as they have been known to get up and charge.

Recommended calibers: 7mm rem. mag, 30-06, .300 win. mag. (minimum legal bullet weight is 150 grain)