Hunting of the African Blue Wildebeest: Bow hunting equipment & shot placement

Blue wildebeest are large African bovids with robust muzzles and cow-like horns. The horns are long without ridges and the males’ horns are thicker with the appearance of a boss. Wildebeests have short hair covering their bodies, and their colour ranges from slate gray to dark brown, with males darker than females. There are black vertical stripes of longer hair on their backs. Wildebeests also have black faces, manes, and tails. The different subspecies of wildebeest vary in colour. Connochaetes t. johnstoni is the largest subspecies and the western white-bearded wildebeest (C.t. mearnsi) is the smallest. Connochaetes t. mearnsi is the darkest group of wildebeest and C.t. albojubatus is the palest. Connochaetes t. taurinus individuals are slate gray in color, the origin of the common name “blue” wildebeest.

Equipment required for bow hunting of the African Blue Wildebeest:

• Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 60 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.
• Momentum: Should be 0,4 or more.
• Arrow weight:To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 500 grains.
• Broadheads:Choose a broadhead of good construction and high mechanical advantage.

Remember: When hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa remember that it is referred to by many hunters as the “poor man’s buffalo”.  Reason for this has very definitely to do with its toughness!  Therefore, when hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa correct shot placement is the critical success factor!

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Blue Wildebeest:

As already mentioned shot placement is the critical success factor.  Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Blue Wildebeest will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up!

Wildebeest are tough animals well muscled in the forequarter with a heavy bone structure.  Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Blue Wildebeest with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Due to the slow reflexes of the Blue Wildebeest the hunter should not be to concerned that it will “jump the string” when hunting the Blue Wildebeest. However, shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

Hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa is an amazing experience and every bowhunter should have it written down as a must-do hunting goal!!