The quintessential plains game, many of these live in rather thick bush but I am assuming that plains game is all that is not DG, for me are;
Kudu without any doubt is the king. The most elegant and the spiralled horns are beautiful. Also the best bang for buck when it comes to trophies. Can be very tough to hunt and we call them the grey ghost for their elusiveness.
The Springbok is beautiful, if not small, but also has an outstanding shape to the horns of you can get a good male. Normally shot at a distance as they truly live on the plains. Make great eating.
The Impala too has great beauty and is larger than the Springbok, they also have great shape to their horns and have a great coat. Very plentiful in the bush and remain elegant and beautiful. Probably one of the most shot animal for meat.
Gemsbok (Oryx) is also nice but exceedingly difficult to get one with symmetrical horns. The tend to be rather "soft"and fall easily, their meat is a favourite of many who will swear that it is the best.
Nyala and Bushbuck I would technically have as bush game as they are more often than not encountered in heavy bush. Bushbuck are notorious for their almost predatory prowess when wounded, and they will come back on you. Throw a stone at a wounded Bushbuck and they will expertly knock it away every time with their horns. The Nyala is stunning but not as nice as Kudu for me, due to their relative rarity they come at a price. Bushbuck is excellent eating.
Of course few will mention the Zebra which is simply a beautiful animal and makes a great throw rug if that is your flavour. Most will use Zebra meat for processing into Salami and the like.
The Warthog also takes a bit of a back seat but is simply beautiful in its ugliness. We locals use it to make awesome Salami, Cabernossi and Cheese Grillers. They are tough little buggers and a suckling pig on the spit is rather delicious.
Waterbuck make a great trophy and are beautiful. Not widely shot for the meat which is not the best and if contaminated from the special oils in the skin become unpalatable.
One must not forger Blesbok is is larger than Impala by a bit and the meat is OK but generally used for jerky.
Then we get the Hartebeest, Tsessebe etc. which a true plains game. These tend to be in the places I do not hunt so cannot comment.
Let us not discount the Blue Wildebeest who unlike its cousin is notoriously tough. We call them the poor mans Buffalo, ugly as sin but make a great mount. Generally I find it good for jerky only and it can be tough.
The last that I would mention would be the mighty Eland. You will pay for a good trophy but they are truly majestic.
If I was coming the Africa I would not want to go home without;
Kudu Bull
Eland Bull
Blue Wildebeest Bull
Zebra Stallion
Waterbuck Bull
Springbok Ram (our National antelope)
Impala Ram
If that was to rich then;
Kudu
Blue Wilderbeest
Zebra
Springbok
The local meat hunters will shoot. Springbok, Blesbok, Impala, Kudu and Blue Wldebeest cows and Warhog as primary fare for the table. I love Eland meat but you need lots of freezer space / a group of friends that will share. It is also very difficult to handle, especially if you plan on processing the meat at home.
