Hunting zebra in Africa

Hunting zebra in Africa with the best zebra hunters in South Africa

Hunting zebra in Africa is making sure you hunt one of the most recognizeable animals in the world. Everybody who has seen any pictures of wild African animals will be able to correctly identify a zebra.

You are now hunting one of the top 10 most wanted animals to hunt in Africa.

Zebra hunting in Africa

Zebra hunting in Africa is hunting for one of the four most popular animals to hunt in Africa. Two ways to have a zebra trophy mounted: first is a shoulder mount while you retain the back skin to use as a throw on your lounge furniture, and secondly as a rug. Between the two mounts rugs are by far the most popular.

Know that hunting zebra in Africa is far more difficult than a hunter would expect. Zebra have fine-tuned hearing and smelling and have exceptional eyesight. Because zebra are herd animals they are very hard to approach unseen. A shot must be taken as soon as one is presented.

The following applies weather hunting the Burchell’s or the mountain zebra.

This is the one specie that is incredibly difficult to sex. The sexual organs of the stallion are situated far back on the abdominal area. This makes it almost impossible to observe when the animal is relaxed and not urinating.

The vital organs area is situated low in the chest making it rather easy to wound one of these striped animals. It is legal to hunt zebra with the correct permissions.

Take note of the so-called sergeant stripes formed on the shoulder of a zebra. This is the best indicator as to where the shot should be placed.

Interesting zebra fun facts

Zebra scientific name: Equus burchelli

The black body stripes extend to below the belly where they end up against the stripes from the opposite side. Common zebra (Burchell’s zebra) have a distinct shadow stripe between the black stripes that are more prominent towards the rump of the animal. They have fewer leg stripes that display less prominent.

The average body weight these animals run the scale up to is approximately 700 lb. (320 kg) with an average shoulder height of approximately 51” (1,3 m).

Zebra mostly deliver their foals during summer time from October to December after a gestation period of 10 – 12 months. Foals suckle for 11 months after which they are weaned.

They are gregarious, living in smaller family groups of between eight and 15 animals. A dominant stallion will defend his harem actively against possible intruders. The stallion will evict younger males as soon as he feels they become a threat to his supremacy.

Common zebra are grazers that prefer savanna- and limited woodlands. They have to use water on a daily basis so are seldom too far from a permanent water source.

Zebra hunting gear for a successful zebra hunt

Below is the gear required to make your dream zeba hunt a reality. We take a look at the ammunition you must use, the best gun scope you can afford and very important, the best caliber for hunting zebra in Africa.

Ammunition for zebra hunting

Our preferred ammunition manufacturer is Barnes in just about any weight. Other premium grade ammunition manufacturers you can use are Federal Premium, Sierra and others.

We recommend you use only premium grade ammunition for hunting zebra in Africa.

Best ammunition for hunting zebra in Africa

Gun scope for hunting zebra

There are numerous gun scope manufacturers out there. The most expensive ones are expensive for a good reason and that is because they are the very best on the market. If you can afford those scopes then pleae go ahead and buy with confidence.

If you are only planning on one African hunting safari, buy a good gun scope. Altenatively, use the one you have and save the extra expense for an additional animal outside your hunting package.

Gun scope for hunting zebra in Africa

Best zebra hunting caliber

The best caliber for hunting zebras in Africa is one where we believe: more is good. The time spent on tracking wounded zebra will be enough time to cure jerky. Zebras are incredibly tough animals. If you do not use appropriate ammunition you will lose at least a day and a half due to tracking. And it is not guaranteed we will find the animal.

Use a medium- to large bore rifle that you can shoot accurately and feel comfortable using.

The following are the best calibers for hunting zebra in Africa:

308 with a minimum bullet weight of 150 gr, 30-06 and a minimum bullet weight of 150 gr (this is hunting one of the most wanted plains game animals, with the world’s best caliber) 300 WSM and 300 WM or any similar caliber using 150 gr or 165 gr respectively. 375 H&H making use of 300 gr bullet weight.

Only use premium grade ammunition.

Best caliber for hunting zebra in Africa

Zebra hunting prices South Africa

Our zebra hunting prices South Africa for the 2024 hunting season is               $ 1 650.

Very few zebra cull hunting opportunities are available. If and when we do come across zebras for culling, the zebra cull hunting prices will be $ 650 per animal and you get to keep the skins. To make it financially viable minimum numbers to hunt per hunt may apply.

 

Zebra hunting prices South Africa

Hunting zebra in Africa shot placement

Shot placement on zebra is one of the two most important ones to know of all plains game animals. Zebra are ridiculously tough and if your shot placement is off by an inch you will be seeing portions of the hunting property nobody could care to see.

The other tough plains game animal is blue wildebeest.

Zebra on a broadside shot

Shot placement on zebra has two possibilities. General rule of thumb on a broadside shot is to place the shot directly behind the shoulder of the zebra, about halfway up from the bottom of the chest to the top of the back. This will lead to a definite lung shot.

According to previous generations the following was the rule: if you can eat it, shoot it behind the shoulder; if it can eat you, shoot it on the shoulder.

Place the shot right inside the sergeant stripes for a heart shot if you are presented with a perfect broadside shot.

Quartering away shot on zebra

Bisect the angle formed between the front legs, aim in the bottom third of the distance between the bottom of the chest and the top of the back of the zebra.

If you are using a 375 zebra seldom move far from where they receive the shot. Subject to using premium grade ammunition and no deflections.

A quartering to shot on zebra

Aim for the inside of the closer shoulder to allow the shot to penetrate the vital organs. Zebra shot placement with medium bore calibers usually ends well for the hunter. Do not take the shot if you are unsure about yourself.

When zebra are facing dead on

Put the shot in the center of the chest of the zebra where the throat joins the body.

Avoid head shots. If the zebra gives a tremendous jump with his head down initially, it was a great shot.

Hunting zebra shot placement diagram

Zebra shot placement diagram

Hunting zebra in Africa general information

We are often confronted by hunters saying they cannot shoot a horse. If you know how hard it is to shoot a dog then we concur: shooting a horse cannot be fun.

However, hunting zebras in Africa in their natural environment is a horse of a different color. Not only are zebra wide awake, they will smell or hear you long before you thought is was possible for zebra to be in the vicinity.

Zebra are incredibly tough animals that can take a shot in their stride. If you are not using premium grade ammunition you run the risk of wounding and losing a rather expensive animal. Make sure of your shot, use the correct caliber and only use the best premium grade ammunition.

Enjoy your hunt. Be sure. Be safe.

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Tips for hunting zebra in Africa

Larger zebra herds are more difficult to stalk due to many eyes and ears. Make sure to distinguish between stallions and mares before you squeeze the trigger.

Any sudden movements and not releasing the safety catch under control will attract the attention of any weary zebra. This will result in walking back to camp.

Bow hunting zebra is on the increase and in such a case you can bow hunt a zebra from a hide or blind.

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Zebra average shot distance

The average expected shot distance when hunting Zebra in South Africa is 80 to 180 yards depending on the terrain you are hunting in.

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Best time of year to hunt zebra

Traditionally the bush is rather dense during our summer months from November to April. From June to August the bush starts to recede rather quickly.

During September and October the daily temperatures start rising while the bush recedes to a minimum.

The best time of year for hunting zebra in Africa is:

  • from late May to end October when the bush has receded most making visibility easier

We can and do hunt zebra from January to December.

Zebra hunting videos

Below are two of our zebra hunting videos. Mostly we do not have trained videographers with the best video facilities so we make do with what we have.

Enjoy the thrill of the hunt with us. Please enjoy our zebra hunting videos as if you were here.

Gallery of zebra trophy hunting pictures

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