The skin of the zebra is one of the most popular trophies that hunters bring home from African safaris. The pattern of stripes is unique for each individual animal, and also differentiates subspecies. Burchell’s zebra usually have lighter-colored “ghost” stripes between major bold stripes, giving this subspecies a unique look. Zebras are not served as meals at every hunting camp, but many hunters who tried it say that it’s some of the tastiest flesh they’ve ever eaten. Zebra hunting offers a unique challenge and a different edge to your plains game safari, and the striking black-and-white stripes, whether as a carpet on the wall, a rug on the floor, or a piece of original taxidermy, will be a constant reminder of the experience – and an endless inspiration to think about enigmatic Africa.
HUNTING METHODS
Burchell’s Zebra, like all Plains Zebra, prefer wide open plains with grass for grazing and water not too far away. They live in family groups, either a stallion with a harem of mares and their young, or bachelor groups of males. Often a number of family groups join together to form a big herd that may number hundreds of animals. The Zebra don’t rely on “hide” strategy to escape predators; as soon as one animal senses danger, it gives an alarm call, and the whole herd takes flight. This makes them a very challenging object of spot-and-stalk hunting. A hunter must be ready for a quick long shot, and quick long shots on windy African planes can be quite challenging. Bowhunters often choose to wait for the Zebra in blinds over waterholes.
WHEN TO HUNT BURCHELL’S ZEBRA IN SOUTH AFRICA
Hunting opportunities for Burchell’s Zebra exist all year round. However, in a large part of its range, hunting is uncomfortable because of weather conditions during the summer and the wet season, that is, from November to April. Many nations even have the hunting season closed at these dates. Most outfitter suggest to schedule plains game hunts to the last months of the dry season, that is, June to October.