Waterbuck
The majestic sentinel of African waters
The waterbuck is one of Africa's largest and most impressive antelopes, easily recognized by its distinctive white ring around the rump and long, sweeping horns. Found near rivers, lakes, and wetlands, this stately antelope offers challenging hunting for those who appreciate a quality trophy and don't mind wet feet.
Shoulder Height
46 - 53 in (117-135cm)
Weight (Bulls)
450 - 600 lbs
SCI Minimum
67"
Rowland Ward Min
28"
Identification
- • White ring around rump ("toilet seat")
- • Shaggy grey-brown to reddish coat
- • Long, forward-curving horns (males)
- • White facial markings above eyes
- • Oily, water-repellent coat with musky scent
Habitat & Range
- • Always near permanent water
- • Riverine forests and floodplains
- • Savanna grasslands with water access
- • Sub-Saharan Africa (east and south)
- • Sedentary, home range 100-600 hectares
Trophy Standards
- • SCI Minimum: 67" (Common)
- • SCI Minimum (Bow): 60"
- • Rowland Ward Minimum: 28"
- • Rowland Ward Record: 39 3/8"
- • Horns 55-99cm (22-39 inches)
Did You Know?
The waterbuck's distinctive white rump ring has earned it the irreverent nickname "toilet seat antelope" among hunters. Despite their name, waterbucks don't actually spend much time in water - they primarily stay near it for escape cover when threatened. Their oily, musky-smelling coat secretion acts as a natural waterproofing and is so strong that some predators find the meat unpalatable. The magic number for trophy hunters is 30 inches, though reaching this milestone is increasingly rare.
About the Waterbuck
The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is the largest of the six species in the Kobus genus, a stately antelope with an unmistakable appearance and close association with water. First described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833, this magnificent antelope has long been prized by trophy hunters for its impressive, sweeping horns and the challenge of hunting in its wetland habitat.
Physical Characteristics
Waterbuck are sexually dimorphic, with bulls standing approximately 127cm (50 inches) at the shoulder and weighing 198-262kg (437-578 lbs). Cows are smaller at 119cm (47 inches) and 161-214kg (355-472 lbs). Head-and-body length ranges from 177-235cm (70-93 inches) with a tail of 22-45cm.
Only males carry horns, which curve backward then forward and can reach 55-99cm (22-39 inches). The shaggy, coarse coat varies from reddish-brown to grizzled grey, darkening with age. The coat emits an oily, musky secretion that acts as waterproofing.
Behavior & Habits
Despite their name, waterbucks aren't truly aquatic - they spend less time in wet areas than other species in their genus. However, they're never found far from permanent water, which serves as escape cover from predators. When threatened, they'll readily plunge into water.
Bulls are territorial, defending areas along rivers and lakeshores that provide access to water, grazing, and cover. They're primarily grazers, feeding on coarse grasses other animals avoid, though they'll also browse leaves occasionally. Lifespan can reach 18 years in the wild.
Subspecies & Varieties
The thirteen subspecies are grouped into two main varieties, distinguished by their rump markings:
Common (Ellipsen) Waterbuck
White ring encircling dark rump (the "toilet seat")
RW Min: 28" | Record: 39 3/8" | SCI Min: 67"
Found in southeast Africa
Defassa Waterbuck
White patches on either side of rump (solid)
Multiple subspecies with varying minimums
Found in northeastern, central, and western Africa
Crawshay's (Rhodesian) Defassa
Found in Zambia's Luangwa Valley
RW Min: 24" | Record: 31 1/4" | SCI Min: 55"
East African Defassa
Found in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda
RW Min: 27" | Record: 35" | SCI Min: 68"
Why Hunt Waterbuck?
- Impressive, sweeping horns make a magnificent trophy
- Challenging hunting in riverine and wetland habitat
- Large-bodied animal providing excellent hunting experience
- Stately, dignified appearance when mounted
- Part of the "Big Ten" plains game species for serious collectors
- Reaching 30+ inches is a significant achievement
Hunting Seasons & Prime Regions
Waterbuck distribution is closely tied to permanent water sources, making them most common in areas with rivers, lakes, and wetlands. They're hunted across eastern and southern Africa, with different subspecies in different regions.
South Africa
Season: Year-round (April-October optimal)
Best Areas: Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga
Subspecies: Common waterbuck
Notes: Excellent trophy quality in the right areas. Focus on properties with river frontage and established populations.
Zimbabwe
Season: April-October
Best Areas: Zambezi Valley, lowveld conservancies
Subspecies: Common waterbuck
Notes: Traditional hunting destination with healthy populations along major rivers. Good value with experienced PHs.
Zambia
Season: May-November
Best Areas: Luangwa Valley, Lower Zambezi
Subspecies: Crawshay's defassa waterbuck
Notes: Home to the unique Crawshay's subspecies. Authentic wilderness hunting experience. Walking safaris popular.
Tanzania
Season: July-December
Best Areas: Selous, Rungwa, various game reserves
Subspecies: East African defassa waterbuck
Notes: Premium destination for defassa waterbuck. Large wild areas with excellent trophy potential.
Seasonal Considerations
| Season | Conditions | Hunting Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Early Dry (April-June) | Rivers full, vegetation drying | Waterbuck more dispersed, visibility improving |
| Peak Dry (July-September) | Water sources shrinking | Animals concentrated along remaining water, prime hunting |
| Late Dry (October-November) | Hot, minimal water | Excellent visibility, predictable locations at water |
Hunting Techniques
Waterbuck hunting is intimately connected to water. The most successful strategies involve understanding their daily patterns between feeding areas and water sources. These are wary animals with excellent eyesight that require careful approach.
Riverine Stalking
The classic method - walking along rivers and streams, glassing ahead for waterbuck feeding in riverine vegetation or resting in shade near water. Requires patience and quiet movement. The cover along rivers can allow close approach if wind is right.
Waterhole Ambush
Setting up blinds near known drinking points, particularly effective during the dry season when water becomes scarce. Waterbuck are regular drinkers and typically visit water at predictable times. Allows careful trophy evaluation before shooting.
Spot & Stalk
Using elevated positions to glass floodplains and open areas near water, then planning a stalk using available cover. Waterbuck often feed in more open areas than you'd expect, providing good glassing opportunities. Wind direction is critical.
Walking Safaris
Particularly popular in Zambia's Luangwa Valley for Crawshay's waterbuck. Walking through waterbuck habitat with a professional hunter and trackers, following fresh sign until you locate bulls. Authentic African hunting at its finest.
Shot Placement
Waterbuck Are Tough Animals
Like their distant cousin the wildebeest, waterbuck are remarkably tough animals that can absorb poorly placed shots. Their thick, oily hide and heavy build demand adequate caliber and precise shot placement. A wounded waterbuck will often head straight for water, complicating recovery.
Broadside Shot (Preferred)
Aim at the center of the shoulder, one-third up from the bottom of the chest. This shot breaks the shoulder, destroys both lungs, and often takes the top of the heart. The animal should drop within sight.
Quartering-To Shot
Aim at the point of the near shoulder to penetrate into the far side vitals. This shot requires a bullet with good penetration. Heavy-for-caliber, controlled-expansion bullets are essential.
Quartering-Away Shot
Angle your shot to exit through the opposite shoulder. The bullet should pass through the lungs and possibly clip the heart. Good blood trails typically result from this angle.
Avoid If Possible
Avoid neck and head shots unless you're very close and confident. Avoid shots at running animals - a wounded waterbuck in the water creates major recovery problems, including crocodile concerns.
Recommended Equipment
Waterbuck are large, heavy-bodied animals that demand adequate firepower. Their thick hide and oily coat can complicate bullet performance, so premium bullets with good penetration are essential.
Rifles & Calibers
A quality medium to heavy caliber rifle is recommended for waterbuck. While they can be taken with .270 and similar calibers, most experienced hunters prefer .30 caliber magnums or larger for this tough species.
Minimum Calibers
- • .270 Winchester (150gr premium)
- • 7mm Remington Magnum (160-175gr)
- • .308 Winchester (180gr premium)
- • .30-06 Springfield (180gr premium)
Recommended Calibers
- • .300 Winchester Magnum (180-200gr)
- • .338 Winchester Magnum (225-250gr)
- • 9.3x62mm Mauser (286gr)
- • .375 H&H Magnum (270-300gr)
Bullet Selection Is Critical
The waterbuck's thick, oily hide can cause rapid-expanding bullets to open too quickly and not penetrate adequately. Use premium controlled-expansion bullets: Swift A-Frame, Barnes TSX/TTSX, Nosler Partition, or similar designs that provide deep penetration while maintaining weight retention.
Optics
Rifle Scope
Quality variable scope 3-9x40 or 2.5-10x42. Lower magnification is useful for close shots in riverine cover; higher magnification for longer shots across floodplains. Good light gathering is important for dawn/dusk shooting.
Recommended: Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski
Binoculars
Quality 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars essential for locating waterbuck and judging trophies. You'll spend considerable time glassing along rivers and floodplains. Waterproof construction recommended given the habitat.
Recommended: Waterproof, fog-proof models
Bowhunting
Waterbuck are challenging bowhunting targets due to their tough hide and habit of staying near water (complicating recovery). Successful bowhunters typically use ground blinds near water sources.
- • Minimum draw weight: 70+ lbs strongly recommended
- • Heavy arrows: 500+ grains minimum
- • Cut-on-contact broadheads for maximum penetration
- • Shot distances: Under 30 yards preferred
- • SCI Minimum (Bow): 60"
Essential Gear
Clothing
- • Neutral earth-tone colors
- • Quick-dry fabrics (for wet conditions)
- • Waterproof boots for riverine areas
- • Gaiters for wet grass and reeds
- • Sun protection (hat, long sleeves)
Field Gear
- • Quality binoculars (waterproof)
- • Shooting sticks
- • Rangefinder
- • Insect repellent (mosquitoes!)
- • Water bottle
Personal Items
- • Camera for trophy photos
- • Hunting knife
- • Antimalarial medication (if applicable)
- • First aid basics
- • Headlamp
Hunt Preparation
Waterbuck hunting often involves more walking and wading than other plains game pursuits. Being physically prepared and understanding trophy evaluation will significantly improve your chances of success.
Physical Conditioning
Waterbuck hunting typically involves walking along rivers and through wetland margins. You may encounter wet, muddy conditions and uneven terrain. While not as demanding as mountain hunting, good cardiovascular fitness and strong legs will help you hunt effectively throughout the day.
Cardio Training
- • Walking 3-5 miles several times weekly
- • Include soft, uneven terrain if possible
- • Train in the boots you'll be hunting in
Shooting Practice
- • Practice at 100-250 meters
- • Shooting sticks from various positions
- • Shoot from sitting and kneeling
Trophy Judging
Judging waterbuck trophies requires practice. Your professional hunter will assist, but understanding what makes a quality trophy enhances your experience. The "magic number" is 30 inches - reaching this milestone is increasingly difficult.
What to Look For
- • Horn length - measure against ear length (~9")
- • Curve - good forward sweep at tips
- • Mass - heavy bases indicate maturity
- • Body size - large, heavy bulls are older
- • Coat color - darker often indicates age
Quick Reference
- • Good trophy: 26-27"
- • Very good: 28-29"
- • Excellent: 30"+
- • Exceptional: 32"+
- • Record class: 36"+
Health Considerations
Waterborne Disease Prevention
Waterbuck habitat means mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and potential exposure to waterborne diseases. Consult a travel medicine specialist before your safari. Malaria prophylaxis is essential in most waterbuck hunting areas. Bring quality insect repellent and consider treating clothing with permethrin.
Administrative Preparation
Documentation
- • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- • Rifle import permit (outfitter arranges)
- • Yellow fever certificate (some countries)
- • Travel insurance with evacuation coverage
- • Credit cards and US dollars cash
Trophy Handling
- • Decide on mount style before hunt
- • Shoulder mount is most popular
- • Skull/European mount also common
- • Budget for dipping, packing, shipping
- • Allow 9-18 months for trophy delivery
Professional Hunter Tips
These insights from experienced professional hunters will help you maximize your chances of taking a quality waterbuck trophy.
1. Hunt the Water, Not the Waterbuck
"The key to waterbuck hunting is understanding water. Find the water, and you'll find the waterbuck. During the dry season, identify the remaining permanent water sources and concentrate your efforts there. In the wet season, look for their preferred river crossings and drinking spots."
2. Use the Ear as Your Measuring Stick
"A waterbuck's ear is approximately 9 inches long. If the horns appear to be three times the ear length or more, you're looking at a 27+ inch bull. Four ear lengths puts you well over 30 inches. Practice this mental measurement before your hunt - it works at any distance."
3. Don't Rush the Shot
"Waterbuck are generally not as flighty as kudu or bushbuck. If you've got a bull located and he hasn't winded you, take your time to get steady and place your shot perfectly. A wounded waterbuck heading for the river creates all sorts of problems - crocodiles being just one of them."
4. Glass the Bachelor Groups
"The biggest bulls are often in small bachelor groups, pushed out of breeding territories by younger, more aggressive males. These old warriors tend to be found in less-than-ideal habitat - thicker bush, more marginal water sources. Don't only focus on the obvious spots."
5. The Musky Smell Means Old Bull
"Mature waterbuck bulls have a very distinctive, musky smell from their oily coat secretions. When you're stalking through riverine bush and you smell that pungent odor, slow down - there's a bull close. It's actually a useful tracking aid once you learn to recognize it."
6. Look for Heavy Bases
"Horn length is important, but heavy bases indicate a mature bull that will score well. A bull with 28-inch horns and heavy bases will often outscore a bull with 29-inch horns and thin bases. Look for that thick, solid appearance where the horns meet the skull."
7. Use Enough Gun and Good Bullets
"Waterbuck have a thick, oily hide that can cause light bullets to expand too quickly. I've seen .270 bullets fail to penetrate adequately on big bulls. Bring a .300 magnum or larger with premium controlled-expansion bullets. The extra power is cheap insurance on an animal that may head for crocodile-infested water."
8. Hunt Early and Late
"Waterbuck are most active in the cooler parts of the day. During midday heat, they'll be lying up in thick cover near water. Your best chances are early morning when they're still feeding, or late afternoon when they move to water. The middle of the day is often wasted time for waterbuck hunting."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using inadequate caliber for this tough animal
- Taking marginal shots near water
- Hunting during midday heat
- Rushing trophy evaluation
- Ignoring wind direction in riverine cover
- Only focusing on length, ignoring mass
- Not bringing waterproof gear
- Neglecting malaria prevention
Ready to Hunt Waterbuck?
Find experienced outfitters and professional hunters who specialize in waterbuck safaris across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania.