Description:
The Impala"s Latin name melampus (Greek for "black foot") comes from the prominent black tuft of hair on each hind leg covering a scent gland. It is known that if Impala is alarmed or in danger, the gland will exclude a scent which when the Impala leaps in flight, spreads an air-borne scent trial for the group to follow. The Dutch name "Rooibok" (Redbuck) comes from the reddish colour that the antelope exhibit. The Zulu, Siswati, Ndebele name " Mpala, Tswana, Sotho, Venda name " Phala and Yei name " Umpala, and probably its where the English name Impala derived from...
Only the male has horns, but some females do occur with horns, but normally in a deformed (Mutated) way. For South Africa"s southern Impala (Aepyceros melampus) Rowland Wards minimum records is 235/8 inches.
Shoulder height: 91cm
Mass: 45-55kg
Gestation: 180-210 days
Diet:
Both browsers and grazers. They utilise a wide variety of plant and drink regularly.
Rifle:
Rifle:
You don"t need much gun for Impala; placing shots with accuracy you can take the shot with a .222 up to a .500 Jeffery. We read in books to stay away from the fast shooters like .25-06, .243, .270 etc. Because of meat bruising, but I all my life do like my .270 and shot many Impala. Normally Impala are shot a relatively close range and bruising of the meat does occur, but shooting for areas on the antelope where meat is
Photo's - 2008 Hunting season
Impala hunting - South Africa
