Hi fellow hunters,

I'm planning a trip to hunt Mountain Rhebok and Vaal Rhebok next year.

I hear that the Vaal Rhebok are usually seen from a very long range- and that it can be difficult to identify a real trophy.

Two questions:

• If I have a spotting scope, would it help if I bring it along?
  
• How long are the Vaal Rhebok ears and what would be considered an above-average animal?
  

Thank you.

I would suggest a pair of variable power Image Stabiliser binocs from Canon with the Zoom rather than a spotting scope. YOu will leave the scope in the bakkie and the PH will have one if he needs it. Also when you start to walk in the hills where they live you want to be light as possible as the burn on the legs is going to be intense if you not used to Altitude and walking at 60 plus degrees in some areas.
You must get fit before taking on these animals. They are not unlike hunting your mountain sheep in the US

Not to mention they are about the size of a cocker spaniel. Take the spotting scope. Your tracker will enjoy carrying it for you for a couple extra bucks.

Take the spotting scope along and bring a window mount. It can be very useful in glassing the hills before you leave the vehicle. Anytgfthing over about 8 1/2" is very good.

465H&H

Your PH should have a spotting scope if he is a serious Professional Hunter offering Vaalies and Mountain Reedbuck. If he doesn't, then bring one along. However, it will just add unneccessary weight to your luggage if you don't need it. A good pair of binos and a good long range scope should be your first priority. Here's my Vaalie from last June. You can get a good idea of the length of the ears from the pic, I would say 5-6 inches if standing up. In my opinion, an average Vaalie would be one with a horn length of around 6-7 inches, above average over 7 inches. Very good starting at 8 inches and above I saw a nice male the first morning that was out at around 250 yards. After that, the Vaalies that we spotted and hunted were 400-800 yards plus. This one was shot off of the shooting sticks at 430 yards. Most mountain reedbuck will be much, much closer, and, again in my opinion, are easier to hunt.

Check with the outfitter. I bet they have one if they are serious about hunting species with little horns. My PH had one and was insulted when I asked him about it. Basically, we are the real deal and don't ask foolish questions.

I would not take one unless absolutely necessary. Just another item to leave, get lost, have to give as a tip, etc. Leave it home.

I can tell you, that long range certainly can be the case. However, the outfitter I hunted with, Bruce Niland-Hunter's Hill Safaris, got me to within 165 yds.

It was a very tough hunt, being that I live at -22' below sea level...or damn near. The mountains really kicked my butt, plus I was terrible shape. We crawled, walked, hiked, etc...

Now, I will tell you, I've hunted with him several more times, and he's shown me vaaly's literally 50 yds from the truck. He told me he just like the idea of seeing me work for it! Find out if a good spotting scope is available, if not bring your own. You can barely see the dang things through binos usually. If you're looking for an outfitter, I would certainly endorse HuntersHill.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Your PH should have a spotting scope if he is a serious Professional Hunter offering Vaalies and Mountain Reedbuck. If he doesn't, then bring one along. However, it will just add unneccessary weight to your luggage if you don't need it. A good pair of binos and a good long range scope should be your first priority. Here's my Vaalie from last June. You can get a good idea of the length of the ears from the pic, I would say 5-6 inches if standing up. In my opinion, an average Vaalie would be one with a horn length of around 6-7 inches, above average over 7 inches. Very good starting at 8 inches and above I saw a nice male the first morning that was out at around 250 yards. After that, the Vaalies that we spotted and hunted were 400-800 yards plus. This one was shot off of the shooting sticks at 430 yards. Most mountain reedbuck will be much, much closer, and, again in my opinion, are easier to hunt.

Hello Use Enough Gun. Im impressed. Off the sticks at 430yds on a wee animal is some good shooting. Very well done, nice trophy. With lugs like that he could hear you a mile away.jc

Vaals are loads of fun and represent one of the biggest challenges in Africa. Their eyesight is amazing and the tend to run forever. 300 to 400 yard shots are not uncommon and if you can get closer, consider yourself amazingly fortunate. A lot like our pronghorn hunting.

Once spotted, you generally don't have a lot of time to glass and stare so a spotting scope for the client can be a curse and not a blessing. Generally you get a few seconds to dope the wind (oh yes, lots of wind in the Dragon Mountains) distance and desired target. If you are not already drawing a bead, you may miss the opportunity. An errant glint off a spotting scope is a deal killer. Best to leave at home.

I agree on them being very wary.

We glassed several at a very far distance and they were gone in the blink of an eye.

The only thing that saved me was a cliff line when I finally took one.

I was instructed without fail that once I peaked over the cliff line that I had only a couple of seconds to acquire and shoot. No messing around. No checking stuff out, just lean over and shoot.

It worked out and that life size Vallie is one of my favorite trophies.

Excellent advice. Fantastic trophy! I will ask the outfitter if he will have a spotting scope.

Would someone please measure your Vaalie's ears and let me know how long they are? I'd like to try and judge horn length by how long the ears are when upright.

Please keep the pictures coming- love to see them.

Thank you!

Thanks jc. Yes, it was a long shot from the shooting sticks while standing up, but fortunately one shot right through the right front shoulder, through both lungs and heart, and out the left shoulder. At first Charl thought that I had missed, as the dust flew up behind him and he immediately took off. However the Vaalie only ran 30 yards and dropped. He too, was impressed with the shot, stating that most hunters take their shots off of Harris bi-pods while sitting or laying down, but we had been stalking this Vaalie for quite some time and were a long ways from the truck(he had one in the truck just in case we needed it). It was the longest shot that Charl had seen successfully taken off of the sticks standing up. It was a memorable and most enjoyable hunt for sure. It was the only shot that I took while hunting for Vaalies.

Hunter 54

To answer the question I agree with others. Just ask your PH if he has a good spotter plus a rangefinder.

As for the length of the ear my Vaal Rhebok has 7" ears and is a 9 incher.

Vaal Rhebok may offer the most precise shooting challenge in Africa. Practice and know your trajectory. Garry kelly has numereous stories of some amazing shooting exhibitions that well known international hunters had put on while pursueing the Vallie. One guy fired a whole box of ammo and never cut a hair and another hit a rock in front of the Vallie and the ricochet killed the Rhebok.

Mark

Here's what SCI says about the Vaal Rhebok for those that are interested in more information on them. This gives you a good idea of the size of the animal that you are hunting over long distances :



Rhebok, Antilope corzo (Sp), Rhebock (G), Rhebuck, Pelea (F), Vaalribbok (Af). Also called gray rhebok. According to Smithers, the common name began as "roebuck"-because this animal reminded the early Europeans who settled in Cape Province of the roe deer of Europe-and changed over the years to "rhebok" in English and ribbok in Afrikaans. "Vaal" means gray (also spelled grey) in Afrikaans, thus vaalribbok in that language. The generic name Pelea is derived from the Tswana phele for this animal, and capreolus is Latin for roebuck.

DESCRIPTION Shoulder height 28-30 inches (71-76 cm). Weight 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg).

The vaal rhebok is a small, graceful antelope with a long, slender neck and a soft, thick, woolly, gray coat. Underparts are white. The end of the nose is very large, rounded and glandular. The ears are long, narrow and pointed. There are no bare, glandular patches below the ears. The tail is short and bushy, white underneath. The horns (males only) are straight, vertical, parallel, ringed in the basal half, and extraordinarily slim for their length. Females are similar to males, but are slightly smaller and without horns.

BEHAVIOR Gregarious, living in family groups of up to a dozen-occasionally as many as 30-usually led by a master male. Young males form bachelor groups, while very old males are often solitary. Males are highly territorial and aggressive, often killing each other during the breeding season. The young (1-2) are usually born November-December. Lifespan in the wild 8-10 years.

Both diurnal and nocturnal. Entirely a grazer. Drinks water daily. Very wary and alert, with a herd member usually acting as sentinel while the others feed or rest. Alarm call is a sharp cough or snort. Eyesight, hearing and sense of smell are excellent. A swift runner and an accomplished leaper, clearing barriers easily. Males are extremely aggressive, being reputed to attack and kill mountain reedbuck and the smaller predators, and even occasionally domestic sheep and goats (but this is disputed). Vaal rhebok are not generally considered edible because of the presence of bot-fly larvae under the skin.

HABITAT Rocky hills, mountain slopes and grassy plateaus. The vaal rhebok utilizes a more open and exposed habitat than the mountain reedbuck. Lives at elevations of 5,500 feet (1,675 m) and higher, but seldom lower.

DISTRIBUTION South Africa and Swaziland, in appropriate habitat. May have occurred in southeastern Botswana at one time, but is not found there now.

REMARKS The vaal rhebok is perhaps the most challenging South African antelope to hunt, a splendid game animal that is not found in all collections. Hunted by glassing and stalking on foot. Difficult to spot, as it blends well with its surroundings, yet it sees very well and, when alarmed, is off with a burst of speed. Shots are often quite long and the target is small. Can be driven at times, especially if there are livestock fences.

The ears are roughly six inches (15 cm) in length; therefore, one should look for horns at least one inch (2.5 cm) longer than the ears.

I loved hunting them and the Vaalie is one of the very few PG species that I would repeat on and hunt multiple times.

When I return to hunt them again, which I will without question, I will take a spotting scope and the absolute best pocket range finder I can buy.

It will be extra weight, but I would not go sheep hunting without a spotting scope. I won't hunt them again without one.


If the horns are just longer than the ears they should measure about 6”-7” in length.

7 7/8 is Rowland.

Make sure you look at the trophy from the side AND the front.
I found that the front view could be very deceiving.
The forward cant of his head can make the horns appear shorter than they are.
You are also rarely on the same elevation when spotting.

Good luck.

Just measured. 6.25" on the ears from tip to base of skull. Just over 8" on the horn length and yes there is a curvature to the horns.

Very nice Little Joe! I believe that mine measured, on the longer horn, close to 8 1/2 inches. We never measured the ears at the time. Love that Vaalie hunting country in your pics!!!

Oh boy, you oys are getting me even more excited about my unit in June. Got a Vaalie at the top of the list!!

I took the "official" kind of tape to my Vaalie this morning and one horn is just over 8 3/8 and the other is just under 8 3/8. I am guessing he was 8 4/8 or so when taken. I assume he shrunk a little bit when he dried.

Justin

Justin: Graybird: You will enjoy every minute of your Vaalie hunt for sure!