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Nyala, what is a trophy?
Nyala, what is a trophy?
So, what is considered a trophy for Nyala?
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
24 April 2012, 10:06
Russ GouldA 27" Nyala, taken while still hunting on foot, is up there in terms of a worthwhile trophy/hunt. 30" is like a 60" Kudu. Over 30" and you have won the lottery.
Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC
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24 April 2012, 13:05
leopards valley safarisA Trophy would be any Mature Animal that YOU like. As for measurements 24" Bronze 25.5" Silver 27" Gold Medal SCI depending on horn bases
Here is a Nice respectable 27" East Cape Nyala with a great Horn shape as a guide.
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24 April 2012, 18:21
Aspen Hill AdventuresThis is my best nyala to date. He has as close to perfect to what is considered the classic bell shape with outward turned tips and good mass.
Same bull mounted:
IMHO this is what you should look for. The best are found in KwaZulu-Natal.
~Ann
24 April 2012, 20:33
465H&HFor me it is the one I work hard for and am proud of, no matter the size.
465H&H
24 April 2012, 21:15
donnerWery happy with my Nyala of 27,5
and wery happy with thw taxidermy work....
My brother shot a 30+ inch monster nyala....
Any nyala over 25 is a good honest trophy if you ask me

25 April 2012, 01:18
LittleJoeMine is only 25" or so and was an old warrior. Worn down tips,no teeth, skinny and a great one to be taken. I am doing a life size and cannot wait to get him back. They are gorgeous and amazing.
25 April 2012, 01:30
MARK H. YOUNG
Sadie with our best from Mozambique. We expected him to be much bigger but his horns did not turn back far before going up again.
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https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 25 April 2012, 02:10
D. Nelson
This is my Nyala from Coutada 11 in Mozambique. He was 28.5 x 27.5
Best regards, D. Nelson
25 April 2012, 05:56
LionHunterGood one D,
Coutada 11 does have some bruiser Nyala - that's were Craig Boddington goes to hunt for a big one. I took my largest there with Glen Haldane in 2003. Averaged more than 28" length and 8" base on each side.
Mike
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25 April 2012, 06:01
kingdGhost how'd ya get such good and close up picks?
The things you see when you don't have a gun.
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Those are awesome trophies posted! I agree that the one you hunt hard for is a trophy, but I also love the looks of these 27" and above!
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
25 April 2012, 07:25
Matt Grahamhere is the one I took last year in KZN with the help of Andrew Pringle of Crusader Safaris. full mount is on its way!!! They sure are a cool animal.
25 April 2012, 10:07
leopards valley safarisquote:
Originally posted by LittleJoe:
Mine is only 25" or so and was an old warrior. Worn down tips,no teeth, skinny and a great one to be taken. I am doing a life size and cannot wait to get him back. They are gorgeous and amazing.

Nothing wrong with your Nyala
25 April 2012, 10:31
Andrew McLarenquote:
Originally posted by LittleJoe:
Mine is only 25" or so and was an old warrior. Worn down tips,no teeth, skinny and a great one to be taken. I am doing a life size and cannot wait to get him back. They are gorgeous and amazing.
Posted here are some photos of magnificent nyala trophies.
But the description by LittleJoe makes his 25 incher my first choice!

I really do not care how long his horns were in his prime, but he
has worn them down to true trophy status! 
In the end it is the one you worked for and like!
Andrew McLarenProfessional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974.
http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa!
Enquire about any South African hunting directly from
andrew@mclarensafaris.com After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that:One can cure: Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it.
One cannot cure:Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules!
My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat.
Today I still hunt! 25 April 2012, 18:31
ghostbirdquote:
Originally posted by kingd:
Ghost how'd ya get such good and close up picks?
I was hunting out of a hide on a waterhole, which is the best way to look over a number of animals and be selective with a bow. Let's not get into the "this is not hunting" discussion. Hunting out of a hide lets you get close bow shots at calm animals... so if someone does not like it, don't do it. I like it and it also allows you to get lots of photos of animals and birds, which I also enjoy.
I actually took those photos earlier in the day and shot the Nyala late in the afternoon when he returned. I was targeting some good Kudu that had been coming to this waterhole and passed up this Nyala and several other mature Nyala bulls waiting for the Kudu to come. Just before dark when the Kudu looked like a "no show" I told my PH that if this particular bull came back and presented a shot I would try to take him. Ten minutes later he strolled back in and I made a perfect 25 yard shot. I ended up taking a good Kudu a couple of days later on a spot & stalk rifle hunt.
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25 April 2012, 18:39
D. NelsonLionhunter;
quote:
Originally posted by LionHunter:
Good one D,
Coutada 11 does have some bruiser Nyala - that's were Craig Boddington goes to hunt for a big one. I took my largest there with Glen Haldane in 2003. Averaged more than 28" length and 8" base on each side.
We saw many, many fine Nyala in Countada 11 with the Haldanes (I hunted with Craigh Hammon as PH--Zambezi Delta Safaris). I knew I wouldn't go home without one.
Best regards, D. Nelson
25 April 2012, 20:00
Todd WilliamsCan't remember the measurements on this one. But I do remember the hunt. Taken in 07 in the Limpopo region. Life size mount now sits in my "man cave"!
25 April 2012, 20:41
KMG Hunting SafarisAwesome pics chaps!
Thanks to all of you for sharing.
Best Regards
Marius Goosen
25 April 2012, 22:49
AnotherAZWriterquote:
Originally posted by ghostbird:
quote:
Originally posted by kingd:
Ghost how'd ya get such good and close up picks?
I was hunting out of a hide on a waterhole, which is the best way to look over a number of animals and be selective with a bow. Let's not get into the "this is not hunting" discussion. Hunting out of a hide lets you get close bow shots at calm animals... so if someone does not like it, don't do it. I like it and it also allows you to get lots of photos of animals and birds, which I also enjoy.
I actually took those photos earlier in the day and shot the Nyala late in the afternoon when he returned. I was targeting some good Kudu that had been coming to this waterhole and passed up this Nyala and several other mature Nyala bulls waiting for the Kudu to come. Just before dark when the Kudu looked like a "no show" I told my PH that if this particular bull came back and presented a shot I would try to take him. Ten minutes later he strolled back in and I made a perfect 25 yard shot. I ended up taking a good Kudu a couple of days later on a spot & stalk rifle hunt.
Ghost:
Nothing wrong with sitting at a water hole, esp if you use a bow.
I think a lot of the negative comments about water holes comes from a certain TV personality who seems to milk show after show sitting at the same water hole shooting the same old plains game.
25 April 2012, 23:53
Hallgeir Gravrok
This is my Nyala 27,5 hunted at Kwazulu
26 April 2012, 03:16
twoseventyGood luck in Zim. Bound to be an easier hunt than chukars on the breaks of the Snake River. Say hello to Nixon for me.
Tom
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26 April 2012, 06:21
PhoenixdawgHere is one that is 30" taken in KZN
Thanks Tom. I'm getting excited.
Any hunt that wears out my lab is a tough hunt. I think chukar along the Snake River Breaks is a poor man's sheep hunt!
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
26 April 2012, 09:58
Russ GouldI think the world record is 34" ... or was for a time. It was taken on the property adjoining the place we hunt in KZN.
Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC
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26 April 2012, 11:39
Hallgeir GravrokCongrat. to all Nyala hunters, lots of excellent trophies. The Nyala is one of Africas finest trophies.
27 April 2012, 08:50
cable68One thing I heard mentioned in KZN was the lack of a "ginger forehead" as a sign of maturity.
Caleb
27 April 2012, 12:56
NorwegianwoodsAny Nyala would a trophy to me.
They are very beautiful.
This is one I stalked close to with my bow.
I chose to take a picture at 15-20 meters instead of launching an arrow.
I didn't have the money for the trophy fee.
I have no idea if he is a mature animal or not.
27 April 2012, 14:10
Hallgeir GravrokThe PH told me that a Nyala shold have a colour on the hide like dark grey/black very close to the colour of the asfalt they use on the road