Mountain reedbuck
Scientific name: Redunca fulvorufula
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Both sexes are uniform fawn to rufous-brown in coat colour, with a slight darkening on the back and lighter underparts. Males carry small, straight horns (4–6 cm); females are hornless. Weight and size differences between sexes are modest.
Size and weight
Males 4–5.5 kg, 50–60 cm body length; females 3.5–4.5 kg, 48–55 cm. Shoulder height typically 45–55 cm.
Habitat
Mountain reedbuck inhabit rocky, grassy slopes and steep hillsides in montane regions, typically between 1,800 and 3,600 m elevation. They favour areas with mixed grassland, scattered boulders, and sparse bush cover that provides cover and vantage points.
Distribution
Endemic to southern and east-central Africa, found from the Cape through the Drakensberg, southern Mozambique, and into Tanzania and Kenya. They are restricted to montane and sub-montane grasslands.
Diet
Mountain reedbuck graze on short grasses year-round, with a preference for fresh green shoots; they also browse forbs and low shrubs when grass quality declines.
Behaviour
Mostly diurnal and crepuscular, most active in early morning and late afternoon. They are solitary or occur in pairs; males are territorial and defend small home ranges, often remaining on the same slope for extended periods.
Hunting tips
Look for small pellet droppings and slight hoof scuffs on rocky slopes; males may mark territory with shallow rubs in soft ground. Approach from below or across the slope, using the terrain to mask your silhouette against the skyline. Move slowly at dawn or dusk, pausing frequently to glass boulder-strewn slopes for movement or the tell-tale flick of an ear.
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 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.