I think bongo is one of most rare, yes?

Your first one.

Africa.

The next one.

Sam

There are so many in that wonderful land. I think one would need to take several of them all to answer. I have only been 2 times, and do not think I have even started yet. However baboons are my favorite for now. It is a paradise.

There is so much obscure stuff out there that costs a mint but that might NOT be the most fun to hunt. Further, I think someone can have a great stalk under adverse circumstances on a lowly duiker and really learn more about him/herself as a hunter than when on what may be a cakewalk Elephant, Bongo, or Mountain Nyala hunt. Sometimes we all get lucky on hunts that should be tough and have a tough time with the ones that should be a slam dunk. This precludes any real definitive statement regarding which "animal" makes the best trophy.

As already stated, the real trophy is the place, the stories, and the people you meet.

Alpinejaeger,

I think the best trophy is the one you don't have but are making a plan to hunt. Incidentally bongo is on the menu for me in '10 so it is the best trophy at least for now.

Mark

eye of the beholder, me? my ele. tusks here in front of me and the ones on the way.

tendrams, I hope you ment "lowly duiker" in terms of physicial size not in the quailty of the trophy. I think you will find more hunters have taken the Big Five vs the
Tiny Ten of Southern Africa. To hunt the Tiny Ten specifically vs target of opportunity is much harder (not physically) to have sucess than the Big Five and $ per pound more expensive .

quote:

Originally posted by Alpinejaeger:
I think bongo is one of most rare, yes?

Bongo?

Isn't that the president of the USA?

Alpinejaeger,

I think the Lord Derby Eland is the most dramatic trophy available in Africa today.

The Bongo may well be the prettiest and a 90 pound elephant is not something mere mortals will ever attain.

Of the more common PG, a 60" Kudu is an ambition worthy of any hunter...........as is a 40" plus oryx bull............

MEMORIES! Maybe the first time you stalk plains game or dangerous game. Maybe the smells, or a meal or the sunset. By far the best trophy you will bring back are the memories.

Scars and an ability to slip off into a reverie at will, the kind of private reverie that brooks no interuption

A tusker well earnrd..

Make that well EARNED... I'm a writer, not a speller !

I will have to go with Somali Pirates seems very few are harvested

For me, an elephant with 100-pound tusks. But since that isn't even remotely possible today without huge amounts of luck, I'll vote for a good, mature Lord Derby eland bull . . . with both bongo and mountain nyala as close competition.

My vote is a big black maned lion. Not the rarest but the symbol of Africa!

quote:

Originally posted by craig boddington:
For me, an elephant with 100-pound tusks. But since that isn't even remotely possible today without huge amounts of luck, I'll vote for a good, mature Lord Derby eland bull . . . with both bongo and mountain nyala as close competition.

Good trophies all. But I would have to go for the one that my sponsor pays for. If not available, then a kudu with deep curls and a good spread.

Die Ou Jagter,

I meant "lowly" in terms of price or "status" (whatever the hell that counts for). As someone who is only 3/5 of the way to his "small 5" I am well aware of the degree to which these diminutive creatures can be real trophies!

Best,

tendrams

The rarest on the continent has to be the Walia ibex, although it will never again be legally hunted (if any still remain).

The handsomest (IMHO) is a sable antelope, followed by a bongo.

The wariest are the bushbucks that are living in thick, riverine stuff.

I vote with Craig B. as to the three most desirable, though.

Bill Quimby

I agree with LJS about the Lion being the best trophy of Africa for the symbolism, but would restrict that to free range old lions fairly hunted on foot.

It would not matter to me how big or black the mane was. I would value scars more than hair.

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
The rarest on the continent has to be the Walia ibex, although it will never again be legally hunted (if any still remain)..........

Bill Quimby

They do, Bill. And don't be too surprised if someday you hear about a "museum permit" being issued for one.
Rich Elliott

Bracelet made from the tail hair of your first Elephant!!! Especially when made just after the ceremonial tail cutting! (thanks Ivan).

JW

Rich ! Have you seen any Walia ibex in Ethiopia ? How big is the population, i have heard around 300, is that true ?

Thanks

Anton

Anton,
I've not been up north (from Addis Ababa) but I know those who have. Hence the earlier comment. Now you've got me curious too so I'll do some checking. We are ayt our businest over there this time of year so it may be a while before I have any more info.

RIch Elliott

My vote goes to the Nyala. Awesome animal to hunt.

MD

quote:

Originally posted by Dall85:
MEMORIES! Maybe the first time you stalk plains game or dangerous game. Maybe the smells, or a meal or the sunset. By far the best trophy you will bring back are the memories.

quote:

Originally posted by dyker:
Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:
Your first one.

quote:

Originally posted by Sam H. Juckett:
The next one.
Sam

quote:

Originally posted by craig boddington:
For me, an elephant with 100-pound tusks. But since that isn't even remotely possible today without huge amounts of luck, I'll vote for a good, mature Lord Derby eland bull . . . with both bongo and mountain nyala as close competition.

That is how my mind saw it, The memories, the place, the hunt itself,the friends you make, ----and most of all the urge to return , that is the best trophy.

Anything taken with your sons and daughter. For me and one son, it was a quartet of vervet monkeys out of some trees at 300 yards.

With my daughter, a zebra.

With my other son, a baboon within 3 seconds or sighting it.

Memories are the best on things done with those you love.

quote:

Originally posted by Rich Elliott:

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
The rarest on the continent has to be the Walia ibex, although it will never again be legally hunted (if any still remain)..........

Bill Quimby

They do, Bill. And don't be too surprised if someday you hear about a "museum permit" being issued for one.
Rich Elliott

I can think of at least a dozen people who would line up to write a check for any amount necessary to obtain that permit.

Bill Quimby

quote:

What is best trophie of Africa

Clearly a Bushman....actually a couple of them.....you take them to a taxidermist and he'll ask if you want them mounted....to which you reply...."No, just shaking hands.....ther were only friends".

For me it would be the one I hunted the longest and that gave me the hardest hunt, what ever species it was. Currently, it is the sable.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
For me it would be the one I hunted the longest and that gave me the hardest hunt, what ever species it was. Currently, it is the sable.

465H&H

And for me currently, Eland