Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Redunca
Species: Redunca fulvorufula (Mountain Reedbuck)
Life Span: 10–12 years (in the wild)
Weight: 30–60 kg (66–132 lbs)
Height: 60–75 cm (24–30 inches) at the shoulder
Activity: Primarily diurnal (active during the day), with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
Feeding Habits: Herbivores – primarily feed on grasses, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, often in higher altitude areas with dense vegetation.
Social Structure: Typically solitary or found in small family groups, but can occasionally form larger groups during the dry season. Males are often territorial.
Hunting Approach: Not typically hunted in the traditional sense, but are preyed upon by predators like leopards and lions. Stealthy hunting in their rugged, rocky habitats is most effective.
Preferred Habitat: Mountainous, rocky hillsides, and steep, grassy slopes at higher elevations, often near water sources such as streams or mountain springs.
Water Sources: Found near permanent water sources like streams and springs, but they can survive in drier areas if water is available.
Best Hunting Locations: Rocky or mountainous terrain, especially where dense grasses and shrubs provide cover. Look for areas near water, especially streams in rugged landscapes.
Tracks and Trails: Cloven-hoofed tracks, usually found in rocky or soft soil, and near water sources.
Signs: Grazed grasses and plants, tracks in rocky or sandy areas, and droppings found along the edges of grassy slopes and near water.
Ideal Hunting Times: Early morning or late afternoon when the Mountain Reedbuck is grazing or moving between feeding and drinking areas.
Breeding Season: The mating season typically occurs during the warmer months (August–December). Males may become more aggressive during the rut, especially when defending territory.
Trophy Quality: Males have relatively short, slender, backward-curving horns, which can range from 20–30 cm (8–12 inches). The best trophies are those with well-defined, symmetrical horns.
Use of Scent Lures: Scent lures are not typically needed, but calling or mimicking the sounds of a rutting male may attract the animals during breeding season.
