Introduction
This forest dweller is one of the most beautiful of all African antelope, especially the bulls, and must definitely rank very highly on the list of a bow hunter’s desirable trophies. The nyala belongs to the taxonomic tribe of Tragelaphini of which the kudu, sitatunga, and bushbuck are further examples. The common name is derived from the Zulu name for this antelope –inxala. An interesting fact about nyala is that they are the dividing line between bulls and rams and cows and ewes. Nyala adult males are referred to as bulls.
Any adult males of antelope species smaller than nyala bulls are then referred to as rams. Nyala adult females are referred to as ewes. Any adult females of antelope species larger than nyala are referred to as cows.
Description
Nyala are medium to large antelope. Bulls weigh on average about 108kg (238 pounds) and cows considerably less at about 62kg (136 pounds). Bulls stand on average 112cm (44 inches) tall at the shoulder and ewes at 97cm (38 inches).
Bulls have a slender build and resemble an oversized bushbuck (Figure 1). The ears are large and conspicuous. The general colour is dark, slatey brown, with a purplish tinge and some reddish on the forehead and around the eyes.
Upper and lower lips and chin white. There is a distinct white chevron between the eyes and two or three white spots on the cheeks. The sides of the body are marked with between 8 – 14 white stripes with a few white spots on the thighs. Bulls have a conspicuous crest of long hairs from the occiput to the root of the tail, brown on the neck, and white along the back. The underside of the neck has a very long mane of black hairs, continued along the underparts, with a white crescent-like patch on the lower neck.
Buttocks and upper part of hind legs fringed with very long black hairs. The lower legs are a striking orange/chestnut colour, which contrasts starkly with the dark coat. This is diagnostic of the males of this species. The tail is very bushy, dark brown, with white underparts. Horns are well developed with a single open curve, dark brown or black with ivory-coloured tips. Nyala bulls are truly strikingly beautiful animals. Ewes are very different and much smaller. They lack horns, and the general body colour is a much lighter, bright chestnut, with the white lateral stripes numerous and very conspicuous. They do not have a white chevron between the eyes. They have a short dark crest from shoulder to rump but no mane on the underside. They are also beautiful animals (Figure 2).
Cost to hunt
Most websites advertise nyala hunting prices in US dollars. Prices range from $1600 (R20800+) to as much as $3750 (R48750+).
Biology
Preferred habitat
Nyala frequent riverine and other types of forest habitat, flood plains, dense bush, and savanna veld, and never move far from water (Figure 3).
Behaviour and habits
Generally found in small groups, sometimes consisting only of females and young and sometimes with one or more bulls. Bulls are often solitary but may also form small bachelor herds. Predominantly nocturnal, emerging from dense bush or forest to feed in more open areas in the late evening and returning to cover at first light. They might be diurnal (active during the day) if they are undisturbed. Nyala are not territorial and occupy overlapping home ranges.
There is a dominance hierarchy between bulls occurring in the same area, and bulls have a complex repertoire of advertising displays, including digging up soft ground (Figure 4), thrashing vegetation with their horns, face and horn wiping on vegetation, or carrying out an impressive, eye-catching, dominance display when he makes full use of his striking colours (Figure 5).The bull exaggerates his size by flaring and fully erecting his dorsal crest, underside hairs, and tail whilst strutting stiffly on his orange legs (Figure 6). Rival males might occasionally clash with serious fights, sometimes resulting in injuries.Nyala rest up in dense cover during the hot hours of the day. They are generally shy and cautious by nature, and like remaining hidden rather than coming out in the open. Most sightings of the nyala in the wild are in clearings around waterholes.Nyala give a deep bark when alarmed, similar to that of kudu and bushbuck. Calves bleat when separated from their mothers who answer with a throaty clicking noise that they also give when on heat.
Feeding and drinking
Nyala frequent open areas to feed but are never far from dense bush cover to which they will immediately take flight should they be disturbed.
Nyala are primarily browsers (Figure 7) but are very partial to new grass sprouting after rains or a bush fire. They strip bark from trees or eat bark stripped off by elephants and also utilize wild fruit and flowers.
Some of the most common food plants utilized by nyala include Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree), Spirostachus africana (tamboti), Ziziphus mucronata (buffalo thorn), Salvadora persica (mustard tree), Strychnos spp. (“klappers”) and Adansonia digitata (boabab). One of the grass species to which nyala are partial is Setaria megaphylla (chevalieri) (broad-leaved bristle grass). Although nyala will drink daily in areas where water is available (Figure 8) they can occur in areas where water availability is seasonal.Nyala feed mainly in the early morning and the late afternoon but will also feed at night during the wet (rainy) season.Reproduction
Nyala reproduce throughout the year but there appears to be two peaks of lambing – the smaller one during May and the main one between August to December. . Females reach sexual maturity at 11 to 12 months of age and males at 18 months (though they are socially immature until five years old). The gestation period is 220 days and a single ram is born weighing approximately 5kg (11 pounds). The ewes usually lamb in dense thickets and eat the afterbirth. The lamb remains hidden for up to 18 days after birth with the mother returning at regular intervals to feed and clean it.
Predation and disease
Nyala are preyed upon mainly by leopards, lions, and wild dogs. They are host to a variety of parasites including intestinal worms and blood parasites. This species is very prone to capture myopathy and chasing these animals during game capture operations can result in high mortalities.
Hunting Nyala
Methods
Treestands, ground blinds, and walk and stalk techniques can all work with nyala, especially in riverine habitats where one can find large trees for a tree stand or platform.
Available light in the type of habitat frequented by nyala can be rather gloomy, especially early morning and late afternoon, and requires that you use sights that have high visibility or that are illuminated.
Nyala bulls are not as vigilant as other antelope, especially when walking in areas of dense cover, and can be stalked relatively easily on foot making good use of camouflage, available cover, and scent management. When out in the open they are more wary and will run for cover the moment they become suspicious. The best time to hunt them is in the first few hours after sunrise and again late afternoon to early evening.
Nyala sign
Typical habitat
Start looking in areas where nyala are likely to be found, especially riverine bush.
Tracks and scats
Look for tracks and scats along riverine habitats where there is often exposed soil, which will register spoor well. Both the tracks and spoor of nyala are similar to that of bushbuck and could occur in the same area. The tracks of nyala bulls are, however, larger than those of the bushbuck. The dimensions of the tracks of bulls are 60mm long (front hooves), 53mm (rear), and in females, 40mm (front), and 37mm (rear) (Figure 9). Scat pellets are about 12-14mm long on average (Figure 10).
Horning
In areas of soft soil or mud, particularly next to water, you might find signs of animals that have been horning the ground (Figure 4). Nyala spoor will confirm if it is this species and not another like bushbuck for example.
Bark stripping and horn thrashing
Bark stripped from trees or damaged vegetation in the right habitat could be an indication of the presence of nyala.
Vocalizing
The guttural bark of bulls, bleating of young, or the throaty clicking of adult ewes might betray the presence of nyala.
Watering points
Nyala will drink every day. If water is available, it is a good place to go and look for nyala sign.
Flowering trees
Flowering trees found in riverine habitats, such as the sausage tree (Kigelia africana) for example, often attract bushbuck and nyala.
Trophy criteria
Rowland Ward
Use the method for spiral horned antelope Figure 11.
Measure the length of the longest horn around the spiral, keeping the tape on the top of the spiral ridge, starting at the lowest point of the front of the base and proceeding to the tip. Measure the circumference of the base of the longest horn.
Measure the spread tip to tip. Rank on the basis of longest horn.
To qualify for Rowland Ward a minimum horn length of 27 inches (68,5cm) is required. The record to date is 323/4”.
SCI
Measure the length of each horn around its spiral twist, from the base to the tip.
Measure the circumference of each horn at its base or as close to the base (hairline) as possible (Figure 11).
Total all measurements recorded in 1/8”.
To qualify for SCI a minimum score of 63 is required. The record to date is 841/8.
Recommended equipment
A bow of 70 pounds draw weight or more is advised. As mentioned earlier make sure that you have sights that can be seen easily in poor light conditions. Nyala are relatively big antelope so use a heavy enough arrow to ensure good penetration.
Nyala have slower reactions than most antelope and are generally shot at short range in dense bush so fast, flat shooting arrows are of less consequence than a somewhat heavier arrow, with more momentum, that will ensure good penetration. Use a strong, two or three-blade broadhead with a wide cutting diameter to ensure a large wound channel and quick bleed out. It goes without saying that broadheads must be razor-sharp.
Figure 12 and Table 1 summarize recommended equipment to hunt nyala.
Shot placement
Nyala bulls are quite large antelope and present a good-sized heart-lung target area. Broadside shots, quartering away shots, and shots down into the heart-lung area from above are all shots presenting a high probability of success if adequate equipment is used (Figures 13 and 14).
Arrow velocity |
Slow arrow (<220 fps) |
Moderate arrow (220 -260 fps) |
Fast arrow (260-300 fps) |
Very fast arrow (>300 fps) |
Recommended hunting range (yards) |
0 – 20 |
0 – 25 |
0 – 30 |
0 – 35 |
Table 1
Follow up after the shot
When you shoot a nyala it will run for thick cover and will soon be lost from sight. Listen carefully after it is out of sight for the sounds of its flight. Also, bear in mind that nyala like their bushbuck cousins become aggressive and potentially dangerous when wounded so make sure you wait at least the prescribed half hour for a heart-lung shot before initiating follow-up.
Wait at least three hours or longer if you suspect a gut shot. If the animal was shot late afternoon you might have to wait until morning to follow up on a bad shot. Because nyala will move into thick cover when hurt the use of a trained dog can be of great value to find the downed animal.