Eland, Cape or Common (Tragelaphus oryx) | AHG
Afrikaans : Eland French: Éland
German : Eland Portuguese: Eland
Nama : !Khanni Shangaan: Mhofu
Sotho : Phofu Spanish: Eland
Shona : Mhofu Swahili: Pofu
Tswana : Phofu Xhosa: Impofu
Zulu : Impofu
Average male mass: 551 lb (800 kg) Rowland Ward Minimum: 35.0″ (89cm) : Method-8
Average shoulder height: 5.6′ (1,7m) Rowland Ward Record: 46¼” (117,5cm)
Spoor size front: 3.9″ (100mm) SCI Minimum (Rifle): 77 / SCI Record (Rifle) : 116²⁄₈ : Method-2
Spoor size rear: 3.3″ (85mm) SCI Minimum (Bow): 69 / SCI Record (Bow) : 110⅛
Southern Botswana, Southern Namibia, South Africa*.
Cape eland are quite nomadic and range over vast areas when not inhibited by fencing. They are prolific jumpers and difficult to fence in. Herds average 8-12 animals in winter, temporary much larger at times in summer. Herds are mixed. Bulls dominate cows, but the sexes maintain separate hierarchies. Extremely subject to tick infestation and related mortality in unsuitable areas. The often break branches with their horns to eat. They are wily and will trot off at the slightest sign of danger.
The best way is to search water holes at first light and track promising spoor. They are noisy browsers and when moving with care one often hears them breaking branches with their horns and can then initiate a low, slow stalk. Look quite high through the bush to see them at about 6 ft (1,8m). The fawn colour can be difficult to see amongst autumn and winter bush colouration. They prefer to browse at night to increase their moisture intake, but also feed in daytime during dark moon phases and the latter part of winter when juicy leaves are sparse.
Males are much bigger and the sub-regionâs largest antelope with considerably thicker horns and body than females. They hors are twisted (spiralled) but straight and do not corkscrew like those of kudu.
They prefer rather arid savannah woodland and montane grassland to altitudes of about 8,850 ft (2700 m). Browsers by nature but graze on young grass as well especially on slopes. Consumes leaves, twigs, fruits and berries and even digs for roots and bulbs in hard times. Moisture requirements are largely satisfied by food intake, but they visit water daily when readily available.
Bolt Actions : Any rifle action type will do. Use low power scopes with a large field of view.
Double Rifles : There is no need for a double rifle when eland hunting
Bullets : Opt for premium, weight retaining bullets at all times.
.340 Weatherby Magnum 300-gr bullets
.350 Rigby Magnum 275-gr bullets
9,3 x 62 Mauser 286-gr bullets
9,3 x 64 Brenneke 300-gr bullets
.450/400 and .400 H&H Magnum 400-gr bullets
.416 Ruger, Remington & Rigby 400-gr bullets