Over the last 13 years of my work hunting in Africa regardless of the country. Kudu seem to be the most popular or most highly sought after trophy by the majority of hunters. Sure most want buffalo or leopard etc. However the Kudu seems to be the animal that is a must have by nearly all Hunters.

One of the first things people ask me when researching their hunts is "how big are your Kudu" I often reply with what are you looking for, or I use actual statistcs stating that we have an average in the mid to low 50's. Some seasons all Kudu are over 50" and most well over 50". There are sometimes bulls under 50 but they are old mature bulls with a perfect "kudu" form.

I have had hunters in front of very nice bulls that are mid 50's. They wanted to wait for something bigger, and I would say bigger then this is not likely! The reason they want to hold out is due to the shape of the horns. Narrow deep curls with a high score don't often have the same visual beauty.

I have hunters say to me frequently that they want a bigger bull then the last safari they were on. When I ask them how big that is, they say 55" or bigger. Problem is that the shape of the horns has more to do with the percieved size then the actual measurement. Very few hunters can really grasp the magnitude of a big bull because they just don't see enough of them to be able to understand the whole package. Furthermore they all use a Rowland Ward number, but if entered it is nearly always in SCI. Although the two are credible systems they come to the score by different means.

I have suggested that a hunter look for a kudu that he wants visually rather then the number it provides as a score. Europeans are very interesting when it comes to trophies. They seem to prefer the most bizzare unmatched, nontypical animals available. They would not score high in most cases. Americans seem to have a great dependance on a "number" rather then a specific look. Even though very few are ever entered into a "book".

I have over the years had hunters shoot a lot of bulls that were smaller then the ones they passed earlier in the hunt. Just because they felt better about the way they looked. Sometimes they will pass on a Bull with narrow horns and huge deep curls that would score high 50's. Then a few days later they decide to shoot a wide spaced bull with shallow curls that has an actual score of 49". If they were next to each other most guys would pick the wide spaced horns with the shallow curls. It's visually better looking to the majority of hunters or maybe just to the human "eye" in general.

Be very careful when you're hunting and tell a PH that you want 55" or better. You could end up shooting a bull that is over 55" but does not look the way you expected, or has a more nontypical horn type. I think the majority of hunters not interested in the record book would be well served to give a visual description of the horns rather then a number. Many bulls are as big as they will ever get with beautful white horn tips pointing forward yet only 48-51 inches with 2.5 curls. They are as good as they will get and a beautiful trophys. If you tell the PH you want 55" or better you will be passing on this kind of trophy to collect one that may have tips backward, sideways and/or short deep curls with narrow spacing. It will not likely look like the Kudu you had in mind before you arrived, although it meets the "number" you requested.

Here is a photo showing two bulls exactly the same size. Which would you pick for the trophy room?

JIm: I put my expectations on the PH, in that I carefully research the gent, and once I book, I leave it up to him for the most part. When I hunted kudu, they ALL looked good to me, but my PH, JOhn Sharp, kept saying "not good enough."

After about 22 head that HE passed up, he said, That's a good one, shoot him," and I did, a 125 yard shot with a 375. He measured 58.5" and I guess that's a pretty good one. As you can see, the curls are real tight. Aesthetically, I might prefer the wider, less curly ones. So maybe this coming June, I'll just say my preference is for width. I've never entered anything in the book nor do I plan to. jorge

JJ: Actually, I shot both on the same trip! My narrow one is my first kudu and was 51 and massive with lots of fighting damage from age, and scores really well. My 56 is 48" wide at the tips, but slightly lighter and has younger smooth horns. Everybody is in awe of the wide one, but the other actually has more character and means more to me.

JJHACK,

Thank you very much for the commentary on Kudu's. It is very helpful. I go next month for my "first" African hunt and Kudu is #1 on my list.

I will not be interested in inches as much as overall presentation. I am counting on the PH's judgement to assist as I don't have the experience to judge. Any will be a trophy to me.

It's interesting that you posted this JJ. I went on my first safari last summer to Namibia and told the PH that I wanted 50" or larger. After five hard days of hunting kudu, we finally found the trophy I wanted. I thought he was awesome - with nice even curls, the perfect width to length ratio, and cool white tips. I happily took the shot. After the short celebration over the dead kudu, we took quick measurements. 47 inches! Was I disappointed? Absolutely not. He was a magnificent animal, a mature specimen (aged at 9 years), and had all the features I wanted in a kudu trophy. There's more to the trophy than the measurement. My kudu certainly won't make any record book, but he'll always have that cherished spot as my first (but hopefully not last) kudu bull.

IMO you have every right to ask for a shot at a 60" kudu as long as you realize that the bigger one you want the less likely you'll get the shot.....Quit quiveling over the length of the horn and go hunting.....you'll have a nice Kudu and be happy.....There's a reason why some animals make the book....they're just rare.....and you have to be willing to go home empty to say you won't shoot less.....and there's no PH will promise you a shot unless he already has it in a cage.

Horns on a Kudu vary quite a bit in spread. I have a 60.5 inch with a narrow spread and deep curls. He's hanging in the basement! My 55 inch is wider and perfectly even on both sides. He is the first thing you see when you enter my home. I guess I think the wider horns are more impressive. A large percentage of higher scoring Kudu I've seen are narrow. If that shape appeals to you, great. Talk to your PH about what you like in appearance and forget the "inches". Good luck!

Hi,
Nice post!
Can you tell me if the 'ivory tips' happen because the horn is getting worn down, or simply because it has reached the end of its growth...
In other words, can you tell if the animal is mature/old from the presence of white tips?

Any outfitter that will guarentee size of an animal is a cheat IMO....

I can get anyone a 60 inch Kudu, if you don't mind exhorbant prices and a 500 acre pen, but I won't do that.

Fair chase hunt? no guarentees, I can only tell you that we will do our best to get you what you want and what we shot last year.....

I will tell you that not everyone shoots a 55 or larger Kudu, damn few do and not everyone shoots a 40 plus buffalo or a 35 inch mule deer. If that were so, then eveyone would want a 60 inch Kudu, a 45 inch Buffalo and a 40 inch Mule deer, and so it goes....

The only Kudu I have ever shot is the avatar here at the left. I have never measured it and have no idea what it scores or ranks by any system others might use. It was a big, mature, handsome example of the species.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
The only Kudu I have ever shot is the avatar here at the left. I have never measured it and have no idea what it scores or ranks by any system others might use. It was a big, mature, handsome example of the species.

"It was a big, mature, handsome example of the species."

That's all I want when I go hunting. I have never had any of my trophies offically measured. Oh, the PH took a few field measurements at times but I'm not really concerned with the measurements. I just want a nice looking animal that's representative of the species. I hunt for the experience and not for the tape measure. IMHO, it sure makes for a more enjoyable hunt when you're not worrying so much about measurements. But, of course, to each his own.

Just my two cnets worth....
-Bob F.

Maybe it's just me, but I like the deep curl narrow horns far better than the wide curl shallow horns. Deer, they're a different matter.

Wink and Bob got it right...I really think those folks that carry a tape in their pocket miss the point of hunting..but I don't deny them their pleasure, whatever blows you skirt up and all that rot!

The best trophies I have are the memories of the hunt, they can't ever take that away from me....

Well, clearly the majority of you guys get the point of the post. Be careful when stating a size or minimum number to your PH. The hunt is clearly more important then the tape measured size. At least for me. I have a hella display of Shoulder mounts but of all the taxidermy and trophys taken less then a handful would be considered exceptional. I still remember placing each foot softly on the ground for most of the stalks though!

I've got one of each. I prefer the look of the one with deep close curls.

quote:

Originally posted by LJS:
A large percentage of higher scoring Kudu I've seen are narrow.

That is because a lot of guys probably passed them up and they were allowed to grow bigger.

I prefer the wide horns no doubt about it but everyone to their own.

Never carried a tape measure yet nor even taken one on a hunt anywhere.

Very nice and informative post JJHack !

I totally agree with you If the trophy looks good then go for it. I alos think that kudu is good value for money a good hunt with a great animal so even if you have 5 60" at home why not hunt them because they are good to hunt.

quote:

Be very careful when you're hunting and tell a PH that you want 55" or better. You could end up shooting a bull that is over 55" but does not look the way you expected, or has a more nontypical horn type.

Oh, sure JJ.....40 days and counting and you come up with this!

Actually, as you know, I don't care what the horns score....but I'll only be happy if you get me in range of one that looks exactly like "Puddle"'s!

Cheers,
Canuck

An interesting post, thank you! When I compare the horns in the picture I actually think the more narrow pair gives a more majestic impression... Well, I am still planning for the first safari!

Regards,
Martin