African Outfitter is an independent international bimonthly publication promoting
fair hunting and ethical business practices within the hunting industry.
From a hunting perspective, the preservation of biodiversity on the
African continent is the first and foremost priority. The emphasis
is however also on the sustainable utilisation of wildlife.

African Outfitter Back Issues: CONTENTS - April / May 2006 - (Vol 1/3)

Trophy estimation of southern impala

by David Sutherland

"What does a smart impala taste like?" "Who knows, nobody has ever shot one!" Most hunters who regularly hunt impala will agree. These beautiful antelope provide a challenging and often frustrating hunting experience for the hunter that ventures on a fair chase impala hunt. Impala are widespread and abundant and are hunted for biltong, camp meat, rations, bait and trophies.

Notwithstanding the regularity with which they are hunted, few hunters can quickly and accurately asses the trophy quality of an impala ram. The Rowland Ward minimum, that is the length of the longest horn, is 235/8", for Safari Club International an animal with horns of about 21½" with good bases will qualify (Total score 54").

There are three major factors that together determine the trophy quality of an impala, the first being the length of the smooth unridged tips.

Figure 1 is a comparison of an old ram with worn down tips (A) and a prime ram with long thin tips (B). Prime adult rams normally have long thin tips that wear down with age, primarily due to territorial behaviour. Although the tips of most mature rams are either parallel or face outward this is not an indicator of trophy value but rather of age. There are also a small percentage of animals whose horns will never turn outward, regardless of age.

Figure 3 compares two animals with long tips; set A points outward and set B points inward. Although set B is longer, set A makes a more impressive trophy. Animals with wide tips are easily overestimated while animals that are narrower from tip to tip are most often underestimated.

The second factor is the depth and width of the sweep and the curve. This refers to the angle of the outward and backward sweep of the horn together with the depth of the forward sweep.

Figure 2 is a comparison of a shallow and a deeper sweep and curve. It stands to reason that a deeper sweep and curve will score better than a shallow one. It cannot however compensate for the lack of long tips.

The outside width of a good trophy is equal in width or wider than the ear tips when the ears are in the alert position. The sweep and curve can only be properly assessed from the side which makes it difficult to do when the animal is looking in the direction of the hunter.

The third factor that relates to trophy value is the circumference of the bases. These measurements are used specifically for the SCI measuring method where the circumference of both bases is included in the total score.

Bases generally measure 5+ inches and a good base will measure over 6 inches. Field estimates of the bases are not normally taken and big bases are mostly an unintentional bonus.

The semi arid acacia and mopane regions of the North West and Limpopo provinces consistently produce larger trophies with heavier body masses than areas with higher rainfall. Specific areas that come to mind are the Rooibokkraal district and areas like Cumberland. It appears that certain areas allow the animal to develop to its full genetic potential and therefore yield bigger trophies.

Impala hunting is challenging, the meat is excellent and the trophies are beautiful, but to see the rookie hunter add wood and shift closer to the fire during the rut is priceless.

The rutting sound of the impala ram conjures up scary images of many a mean beast.