Has anybody hunted the "Royal Sable" in Angola??? I figure with the end of civil war and the country trying to bring hunting back, that a few of you might have or plan to. What are the numbers like on these animals? I hear they can have horns in excess of 60". this is one animal I would like to take, thought it would be cheaper than taking one in S. Africa.

I think organized hunting in Angola is quite a ways off. First of all, it has one of the highest densities of land mines on the planet. That fact alone is enough to deter me. Second, trying to get the administrative and logistical support for trophy hunting there would be an absolute night-mare. The Giant Sable is also listed as "Critically Endangered" so it's highly unlikely that anyone would be allowed to legally take one. The estimates vary, but I believe the last guess was only around a couple-hundred of these animals remain. Assuming, for a moment, that you could legally hunt one, it definitely would not be cheaper than a "normal" Sable in RSA, or anywhere in Southern African for that matter.

Pick up a copy of "A Certain Curve of Horn". It's a fantastic book that deals exclusively with the Giant Sable. It addresses Giant Sable conservation and one of the things that the author theorizes about is that the Giant Sable was actually safer during the civil war than it is currently.

Thanks for the info, pinotguy.

I just read an article a while back that Angola opened up for hunting in 2007 and there are a few outfitters operating out there...

quote:

Originally posted by pinotguy:


Pick up a copy of "A Certain Curve of Horn". It's a fantastic book that deals exclusively with the Giant Sable. It addresses Giant Sable conservation and one of the things that the author theorizes about is that the Giant Sable was actually safer during the civil war than it is currently.

Read a book recently, non-hunting, that mentioned the Giant Sable copped a hiding from Jonas Savimbi's merry band from Unita, purely as a food source & target practise if that doesn't make you weep. They were apparently shot to near extinction so critically endangered sounds more like it.
Steve.

SH, I don't think you will see huntable giant sable for at least 20 yrs.. Maybe never...
I remember in the early sixties lion hunting in Angola reading about some of the great lions shot there in Outdoor Life magazine.

Mike

Thanks guys, guess i'll just settle for sable in S. Africa

I'm thinking George Parker was the last American to hunt the Giant Sable...way back when.I'm guessing the early 60's. Come to think of it Mellon took one too so I guess it's a toss up.
Rich Elliott

Anybody who would shoot a Giant Sable while they are hanging by a thread would drink their own sister's used bath water.

hellofvalot cheaper to take a sable in other places that RSA

Jefffive

You can't continue to talk like that and expect to get along here. You are also absolutely right.

Kensco,

I'll take being right over being popular any ol' time