Steenbok

Scientific name: Raphicerus campestris

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

Reddish-fawn to tan coat with white underparts and a distinctive dark nose stripe. Males are slightly smaller than females; both sexes have short, straight horns (males only), and a compact, delicate frame with long slender legs.

Size and weight

Males 3.5–5.5 kg, females 4–6 kg; body length 45–55 cm.

Habitat

Steenbok prefer open grassland, scrubland, and semi-arid savanna with scattered acacia and low bush cover. They favour terrain with good visibility and accessible water sources, typically from sea level to 2,000 m elevation.

Distribution

Endemic to southern Africa, ranging from Angola through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and into South Africa. Occupies open to semi-open habitats with grass and scattered shrub.

Diet

Browse on fresh leaves, shoots, and fallen fruits; graze on grass shoots after rain and in early growth phases; supplement with small forbs and seeds.

Behaviour

Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, resting in thick cover during heat of day. Territorial and solitary or in pairs; highly alert with a swift, bounding escape gait when alarmed.

Hunting tips

Look for fresh droppings clustered near feeding and bedding areas, and fine hoof prints in soft sand or mud. Approach against wind over open ground early morning or late afternoon when animals move to feed; use available bush and contour to close distance. Stalk slowly with frequent pauses to glass for movement, as steenbok rely on early detection.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 9 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.