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Prices for Bongo Hunts in Texas
The average price to hunt a Bongo Antelope on a big game ranch is between $29,000 to $36,000, which is not considered affordable for most hunters – even for one with such a unique coat and rack. The final total depends on the size of the rack, trophy fee, rifle or bow hunt, number of days, taxidermy fees, quality of accommodations, amenities and services available.
Bongo Hunting Season
Unlike domestic deer hunts, Bongo antelope are hunted throughout the year.
Hunting Trophy Bongo
The Bongo is well known for being shy and skittish, making it a challenging hunt. It will run from anything that startles it, so it must be hunted very carefully and quietly. Bongo bucks have very impressive horns, which can grow up to 36 inches in length. They have a single twist, meaning they flare out more at the bottom and then shoot straight up.
The male Bongo can be absolutely huge, getting up to 900 pounds. The females are a lot smaller, but they can still reach 750 pounds. They have thick necks and heavy bodies, but still carry themselves well. A typical Bongo will be between 5.6 and 8.3 feet long, will have a shoulder height of 3.6 to 4.3 feet, and will have a tail ranging from 18 to 26 inches.
Physical Characteristics
The Bongo also has bright, distinctive hair that is a rich, red-chestnut color;as the animal ages, the coat darkens. This hair is broken up by vertical white stripes, which are very slender and unevenly spaced. The stripes curve slightly side to side, but stay in standard lines, not crossing each other. Still, the uneven spacing of the 10-15 stripes really makes the coat stand out. The muzzle tends to be dark, but there are white markings on the chest and across the forehead, often running laterally.
Behavior/Social Characteristics
The family groups are small, usually not exceeding nine grown females, plus the offspring. Some also move about as loners. They do communicate with one another by snorting, grunting, and other such vocalizations. In the small groups, a dominant male will usually be the leader, and each bull tends to have his own harem of females. The older animals are the ones who drift off from the group.
Native Habitats and Countries
The Bongo thrives in the Eastern Arc Mountains, which are located in Kenya. It can also be found in the Mt. Kenya National Park and the Mau Forest. Additionally, it has been seen in places like Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. It does like lowland forests, where there are plenty of plants to eat. The Bongos will tear up roots or eat bark when enough plants cannot be found. They also like areas with water sources and mud.