Gents,

I have a kudu-related question for those of you who reside in the Eastern Cape.

How much do you reckon does the average adult Eastern Cape kudu bull weigh in terms of carcass weight? Not interested in trophy quality, just carcass weight.

Thanks!

Just the carcass? I reckon somewhere between 80 - 100 kgs, somewhere around there.

I've never seen a field dressed Eastern Cape Kudu weighed, but the average adult bull weighs 594 pounds.
LDK

Averages are very dependant on the environmental conditions but our average for a mature bull dressed carcass weight is between 140-160kgs over the past 5years.
The heaviest we have had in the last 10 years is 198kg carcass after a few good rain seasons.
We have found that weights are heavier in April/may than in july/august. Maybe 20kg lighter at the end of winter on average

Hope this helps

Eastern Cape Kudu????

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:
Eastern Cape Kudu????

Is this related to the Western Cape Kudu?

The mini-me kudu of the eastern cape.

The yare very cute.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:
Eastern Cape Kudu????

Is this related to the Western Cape Kudu?

Yes, they are related to the Western Cape kudu. They are also related to the Greater Kudu. In fact they are so closely related that they are indeed the same species and even the same subspecies! They are all, in scientific terms, Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766) originally called after the type speicmen "Cape of Good Hope kudu."

But in the records of some tape measurers the fact that the exact same subspecies from the Eastern Cape typically measure with smaller horns than the exact same subspecies from other areas became evident. Now I can speculate that some of other bigwig from a tape measurement mad organization for hunters had shot a very nice Eastern Cape kudu, but it simply would not measure to his metal [bronze, silver or gold] expectation. This bigwig then pushed his desire through various subcommittees to eventually recognise the exact same subspecies as a "different variant" of the rest of the kudu in Southern Africa. Needless to say that our bigwig's kudu was No. 1 on the list for East Cape for at least some time. Today we sit with a situation where the only reason that the East Cape kudu is recognized as a geographical variant is because the horns did not quite measure up to some bigwig's expectations. It is argued by some, but quite possibly true that the Eastern Cape kudu was an isolated population, but no serious scientists today has even proposed that it be regarded as a distinct subspecies. It is at best an isolated population of the greater kudu found widely in Africa. But for horn measurement purposes it is deemed as a separate entry in some record books.

Although the book that I consult on these matters give very similar body mass for kudu in Zimbabwe and Addo Elephant Park 157 kg and 152 kg respectively, my "knowledge" says that the Eastern Cape variety is significantly lighter. Also the horns are shorter!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Andrew:

You are correct that there are no taxonomical differences. However, it was not a bigwig who pushed that tape-measurement-mad organization to create a category for it in that club's record book. It and similar South African categories that make no biological sense came about at the suggestion of outfitters in that country. I know because I was there when those categories were created.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
Andrew:

You are correct that there are no taxonomical differences. However, it was not a bigwig who pushed that tape-measurement-mad organization to create a category for it in that club's record book. It and similar South African categories that make no biological sense came about at the suggestion of outfitters in that country. I know because I was there when those categories were created.

Bill Quimby

EXACTLY, and it is outfitters and PHs who continue to plea for additional classifications so that they may then sell a "different" sub-species, thus generating more $$ from the innocent hunters who know no better! This is going on as I write this and has done for many years.

Thanks Bill Quimby for putting the facts out there.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:
.......Now I can speculate that some or other bigwig from a tape measurement mad organization..........

Bill, I freely admit that I have speculated quite incorrectly! You and LionHunter must be and indeed are correct! It is really the owner(s) of the first herd(s) of golden blue bildebeest or golden gemsbok or black impala who stands to gain most if such a variant is recognized in the record books.

In the attempts to rationalize why it happened I had followed the "ego trail" in my speculating about the reasons for recognizing the Eastern Cape Kudu as a separate record book enrty. I should simply have followed the "money trail" instead. [Always follow the money trail first! ]

I stand corrected. I and the whole AR community owe you thanks for pointing out the mistake made while speculation about this. Thanks!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren.

Andrew:

Thank you for pointing out the silliness in the first place. Too many hunters don't know the difference between species and specie. You obviously do.

Bill Quimby

Andrew,

First rule of investigations: Follow the Money!

Over the years I have been asked by at least two safari operators in two different countries to petition SCI to re-classify animals on their properties. The reason was always the same: make my animals more desirable (valuable). In at least one case, the animals have been re-classed!

Good comeback. You are a man of high ethical standards.

In all cases where SCI is involved in a decision, follow the money.

Getting back to weight Big trophy bulls can weigh anything from 140-220 kg carcass only. The heavier bulls in good season and the lighter bulls on fenced areas or in bad coditions.
these are weights from back in the day when I used to do meat hunts and sold hunts by the pound.