Hunting Portal
Namibia

Characteristics:
Shoulder height 125 - 150 cm / 49 - 60 inch, Mass / weight up to 340 kg / 750 lb.. On the first sight the Roan Antelope may appear somewhat plump and disproportionate. It is a very large antelope of sturdy built. Old Roan bulls appear more perfectly proportioned than the cows. The penis is well discernible. The yellow-brown and dark edged neck hair makes it look like a horse.

Colouring:
The body is of light brown colour with a white lower part of the body; the legs are darker coloured. The broad, black facial marking extends from the back of the nose upon the eyes up to the basis of the horns. The ears are small and tip and have dark brown hair tips. An old bull typically has a grim expression because of his dark facial markings and the broad, coarse bridge of his nose. Young animals are more reddish coloured.

Habitat:
Roan Antelope prefer the dry woodlands growing in the sandy soil of the northern Kalahari, often keeping to the thickest vegetation when they move.

Occurrence:
The occur in Namibia only in the extreme north-east (Kavango and Caprivi region). There are a small hunting quotas available in the open safari areas in the north. You will find them also Bushmanland, on the Waterberg Plateau and on some game ranches in Namibia.

Main food:
All kinds of grass, leaves of trees and bushes as well as herbal. Roan Antelope are depending on water and drink twice a day, thereby they move seldom more than 4 km far away from the water point for grazing.

Rutting season / gestation period:
The rutting season is all over the year. Gestation period: 9 months (1 calf).

Life expectancy:
ca. 18 years.

Horns:
Bull and cow carry horns. A good bull has well-curved horns, the tip pointed to the back and downwards. The horns of the cow are only slightly curved, with the tips pointing mostly upwards and only a little backwards. The length of the horn may be up to 90 cm / 35,5 inch.

Habits:
Roan Antelope live in small herds of 15 animals. Old bulls are often solitary. It is worthwhile looking in the vicinity of waterholes for old males. Stalking them in the thickly bushed flat areas of the northern Kalahari of Namibia is comparatively difficult. However, the proud behaviour of the bulls when taking on a challenger or looking around for pursuers, often provides an opportunity for a quick shot before the bull finally backs out. Wounded Roan Antelopes can become very aggressive, much more so than Gemsbuck, which are mistakenly regarded as extremely dangerous because of their pointed horns.