Hunting sable in Africa with the best sable hunters in South Africa
This page is dedicated to providing comprehensive information about hunting sable in Africa, emphasizing ethical and sustainable practices. We believe in responsible hunting that contributes to the conservation of this magnificent species and its habitat. Therefore, we offer sustainable sable hunting safaris in Africa.
The sable antelope is often referred to as the “black pearl of Africa.” It’s a title well-earned. Known for its striking appearance – a jet-black coat with striking white underbelly and facial markings – the sable is a truly magnificent creature.
Its horns are equally impressive, long and sweeping with a dramatic curve. A trophy sable bull is the pinnacle of achievement for many hunters.
However, the sable is more than just a beautiful animal. It’s a challenging quarry. Known for its intelligence and agility, it demands respect from the hunter. Its habitat, typically open woodlands and savannas, provides a backdrop for a thrilling chase.
Hunting a sable in Africa is an experience that combines the thrill of the hunt with the satisfaction of acquiring a truly exceptional trophy. It’s an investment in an unforgettable adventure.
And when you see one, you will know why.
Sable antelope hunting South Africa
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Sable: a pinnacle hunting experience
The sable antelope stands as the epitome of African big game hunting. Its sleek, jet-black coat and imposing, sweeping horns have captivated hunters for generations. The thrill of tracking and ultimately harvesting this magnificent creature is an experience unlike any other.
Beyond the trophy, a sable hunt offers an unparalleled opportunity for relaxation, camaraderie, and adventure. Immerse yourself in the heart of Africa, where breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and world-class hunting await.
Our expert guides possess an intimate knowledge of sable behavior and habitat, ensuring an optimized hunting experience. We offer meticulously planned safaris that cater to the discerning hunter, combining the excitement of the chase with the comforts of luxury accommodations.
Indulge your passion for the hunt and create lasting memories. A sable antelope trophy is more than just an acquisition; it’s a testament to your skill, determination, and appreciation for nature’s grandeur.
Let us curate a bespoke safari tailored to your desires. Your African adventure begins here.
Premium sable hunting ammunition
Choosing the right ammunition for your sable hunt is critical to a clean, ethical kill. Given the sable’s size and potential for aggression, a premium-grade bullet is essential.
Recommended bullet types:
- Barnes TSX or TTSX: Known for their consistent penetration and expansion, these bullets are excellent choices for sable.
- Nosler Partition: Offers a reliable combination of weight retention and expansion.
- Swift A-Frame: Another solid option for deep penetration and controlled expansion.
- Accubond: Provides good weight retention and expansion while maintaining stability.
Important considerations:
- Bullet Weight: A minimum of 150 grains is recommended for sable hunting.
- Caliber: While a variety of calibers can be effective, the .300 Winchester Magnum is a popular choice.
- Rifle Performance: Test your ammunition in your specific rifle to ensure optimal performance.
African Bushbuck Adventures has specific recommendations based on their experience and the characteristics of the game in their hunting areas. Consulting with your outfitter before your trip is highly advisable.
By selecting a premium-grade bullet and carefully considering your rifle and hunting conditions, you can increase your chances of a successful and ethical sable hunt.
Scope requirements for sable hunting
In most cases the scope you have on your rifle is sufficient to hunt sable in Africa. However, if you feel like upgrading your existing scope please continue reading.
A high-quality scope is not always essential for a successful sable hunt. Here’s what you should look for:
Essential features:
- Magnification: A versatile scope with a range of 3-15x or similar is ideal for various hunting conditions.
- Objective lens diameter: A 42-50mm objective lens provides sufficient light gathering for dawn and dusk hunting.
- Reticle: A simple crosshair or duplex reticle is preferred for quick target acquisition.
- Tube diameter: A 30mm tube offers better shock resistance and allows for more elevation and windage adjustments.
- Optical quality: Prioritize clarity and brightness, especially for low-light conditions.
- Ruggedness: Ensure the scope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
Additional considerations:
- Zero stop: This feature allows you to return to your zero point quickly.
- Illuminated reticle: While not essential, it can be helpful in low-light conditions.
- Turret Style: Choose exposed or capped turrets based on your preference.
- Weight: Consider the overall weight of the scope, especially if you’ll be carrying it for extended periods.
Given the nature of sable hunting, which often involves careful stalking and potentially longer shots, a scope with excellent clarity and light transmission is crucial.
Hunting sable in Africa facts
Taxonomical Background:
- Scientific name: Hippotragus niger
- Common name: Sable Antelope
- Family: Bovidae (Antelope)
- Shoulder height: 120-140 cm (47-55 inches)
- Body weight: 180-270 kg (400-600 lbs)
- Longevity: Up to 15 years in the wild
- Mating season: Typically from June to August, though breeding can occur year-round depending on rainfall and location.
- Calving Season: Calves are born after a gestation period of around 270-280 days, typically from December to March.
- Preferred habitat: Open grasslands, savannas, and woodlands with abundant water sources, particularly in Southern and Eastern Africa, with a preference for regions with high rainfall.
Distinguishing features of the Sable antelope:
- Appearance: Sable antelopes are known for their striking black coat, with a white stripe running down their back and a distinctive white face pattern. Males have impressive, long, spiraled horns that can reach up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in length.
- Behavior: Sable antelopes are typically shy and elusive, preferring dense vegetation for cover. They are often found in small groups of 5-10 individuals, but can form larger herds during the rainy season. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and fruits.
Best time to hunt sable in Africa
The optimal time to hunt sable in Africa is generally considered to be the dry season, which typically runs from May to September.
Here’s why:
- Improved visibility: The dry season offers better visibility due to less vegetation. This enhances your chances of spotting sable in their natural habitat.
- Animal activity: While sable are active year-round, the dry season often leads to increased activity as animals congregate around water sources.
- Trophy quality: Many hunters believe that sable taken during the dry season tend to have better coat condition and horn development.
However, it’s important to note that this is a general guideline. Local conditions, specific hunting areas, and personal preferences can influence the ideal hunting period.
Talk to us, we possess in-depth knowledge of the local wildlife and can provide tailored advice based on your specific goals.
Sable hunting techniques and tips
Sable hunting is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Here are some techniques and tips to increase your chances of success:
Hunting techniques
- Spot and Stalk: This is the most common method. It requires patience, observation, and stealth. Identify potential areas where sable are likely to be and carefully stalk them.
- Waterhole hunting: Sable are often found near water sources, especially during the dry season. Setting up a blind near a waterhole can be effective for those hunters who might not be as mobile as they used to be.
- We adapt to your hunting abilities. Vehicle hunting is reserved for hunters with mobility difficulties.
Hunting tips
- Patience: Sable are wary animals, so patience is key. Avoid rushing your shots.
- Observation: Study sable behavior to anticipate their movements.
- Wind direction: Pay attention to wind direction to avoid being detected.
- Shot placement: Focus on the heart-lung area for a clean kill.
- Tracking: Be prepared to track a wounded animal, as sable can be tough.
- Safety: Always prioritize safety, both yours and that of your hunting companions.
Additional considerations
- Respect the animal: Treat the sable with respect, both before and after the shot.
- Photography: Capture the beauty of the animal and the experience through photographs. We will assist in having you take the best hunting pictures in the business.
Remember, sable hunting is not just about the trophy; it’s about the entire experience. Enjoy the journey and the challenges that come with it.
Sable antelope hunting prices
Our 2024 sable hunting prices South Africa have been adapted to reflect the different size ranges of the trophies.
Sable prices are reflected according to trophy size:
- Sable trophies up to 42″ are $ 4 500
- Trophy sable prices larger than 42″ but smaller than 45″ are $ 5 500, and
- sable trophies larger than 45″ are $ 6 500.
Price range for sable hunting in South Africa
Hunting a sable antelope in South Africa is considered a premium hunting experience, and the price reflects that.
Generally, you can expect to pay a trophy fee of at least $3,500 for a sable. However, this is just the beginning.
The total cost of a sable hunting safari will typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. This includes factors such as:
- Daily hunting fees: Covering professional hunter, tracker, accommodations, and meals.
- Licenses and permits: Required for hunting in South Africa.
- Transportation: Flights, transfers, and potential rental car costs.
- Trophy preparation: Taxidermy and shipping fees.
Some hunters choose to combine sable hunting with other hunting packages, which will increase the overall cost of the safari. Depending on the package booked, we will be open to negotiation on sable hunting prices.
Caliber considerations for Sable hunting
Caliber selection
When choosing a caliber for sable, consider these factors:
- Power: A sufficient amount of energy is required for a clean kill.
- Recoil: Manage recoil for consistent accuracy and comfort.
- Trajectory: A flat-shooting cartridge can be advantageous for longer shots.
- Bullet Weight: A heavier bullet offers better penetration for large game.
Bullet construction
- Premium, bonded bullets: These are highly recommended for their consistent performance and ability to penetrate the sable’s thick hide.
- Controlled expansion bullets: Offer a balance of expansion and penetration.
Additional considerations
- Rifle Weight: A heavier rifle can help mitigate recoil but will be more cumbersome to carry.
- Rifle Action: Bolt-action rifles are typically preferred for accuracy and reliability.
- Scope Quality: A high-quality scope is essential for precise shot placement.
- Practice: Regular practice with your chosen rifle and ammunition is crucial.
Remember, the best caliber for you will depend on your personal preference, experience, and the specific hunting conditions you will encounter. It’s always advisable to consult with us for personalized advice.
Best caliber to hunt sable in Africa
The best caliber to hunt sable in Africa is the one you know best and trust.
Use a medium bore rifle that you can shoot accurately and feel comfortable using.
The following are the best calibers for hunting sable in Africa:
- 308 using a minimum bullet weight of 150 gr with premium grade ammunition like Federal, Barnes TTSX and Norma.
- 30-06 using a minimum bullet weight of 150 gr and premium grrade ammunition like Barnes TTSX, Federal’s Nosler Partition or Norma’s Oryx projectiles. This is hunting the most gracious plains game animal, with the world’s best caliber using the world’s best ammunition.
- 375 H&H using soft nose ammunition Federal, Speer and Barnes TTSX
Follow this link for a comprehensive list of caliber recommendations
To confirm our caliber recommendations, we made use of the following sources:
- African Rifles & Cartridges. Taylor, John. The National Rifle Association: 1995.
- Ammo & Ballistics 3. Safari Press Inc: 2006. Third Edition.
The importance of shot placement for Sable
Shot placement is paramount when hunting sable in Africa. A well-placed shot ensures a quick and humane kill, while a poor shot can result in a wounded animal and a challenging tracking job.
Vital zones
- Heart-lung area: The primary target is the bottom third of the chest, just above the front shoulder. This area offers the best chance of a lethal hit.
- Avoid high shots: Aiming for the shoulder can result in less-than-lethal hits or deflection of the bullet.
Factors affecting shot placement
- Angle: Broadside shots are ideal, but quartering away shots can also be effective. Be cautious with quartering towards shots as the near-side shoulder can deflect bullets.
- Bone structure: Sable have heavy bone structure, so aim for a clean shot through the rib cage.
- Bullet construction: The chosen bullet’s performance will influence penetration and expansion.
- Distance: While sable can be taken at various distances, understand your rifle’s capabilities and holdover points.
What to look out for
- Animal behavior: Sable can be unpredictable, so be prepared for quick movements.
- Terrain: Obstacles like brush or rocks can obscure your target.
- Light conditions: Low light can affect visibility and shot accuracy.
- Wind: Wind can affect bullet trajectory, so compensate accordingly.
By understanding these factors and practicing good marksmanship, you can increase your chances of a successful sable hunt.
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Hunting packages
$ 4 050
pp starting price 2X1
African plains game hunting packages
African plains game hunting packages are to experience the true African bushveld at least once.
Perhaps you even get to hunt on a property that has one or more members of the Big 5 on it.
This is why African Bushbuck Adventures offer a variety of plains game hunting packages.
$ 8500
pp starting price 2X1
African dangerous game hunting packages
African dangerous game hunting packages are for hunters wanting to successfully hunt one or more of the Big 5. Very few hunters complete the coveted Big 5 hunting grand slam during a single African dangerous game safari.
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