About the Roan
Info About the Roan
The roan antelope is one of the largest species of antelope in Africa. Known for their horse-like build and striking appearance, these animals have a reddish-brown to grayish coat, a distinctive black-and-white “clown-like” facial mask, and long, heavily ridged horns that curve gracefully backward.
Roans typically inhabit savannas, woodlands, and grassy plains. They live in small, cohesive herds made up of a single dominant bull and several females with their young. These animals are herbivores—both grazers and browsers—feeding mainly on mid-length grasses, herbs, and the leaves of small bushes. They must drink regularly and rely on permanent water sources in their home range.
Despite their impressive size, they are surprisingly agile and can run at speeds up to 35 mph. While healthy adults are mostly invulnerable to predators, young, sick, or elderly roans may fall victim to lions, hyenas, and wild dogs. When threatened, they are highly aggressive and will stand their ground rather than flee, using their scimitar-like horns for defense.
Description of the Roan
- Height & Length: A roan stands from 54 to 64 inches at the shoulders with a head-and-body length of from 90 to 108 inches.
- Weight: Adults typically weigh from 495 to 700 pounds.
- Horns: Present on both sexes. They are heavily ridged, scimitar-shaped, and curve backward. They can grow up to 40 inches long.
Roan Species / Subspecies
Here are the six recognized subspecies and their primary regions:
- West African Roan: Found in West Africa, from Senegal to Benin. Genetically distinct from all others.
- Central African Roan: Ranges across Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
- Sudan Roan: Native to the grassland savannas of Sudan.
- East African Roan: Found across East and Central Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- Southern Roan: Located in Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana.
- South African Roan: The southernmost subspecies, native to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique
Recommended Calibers
Use a minimum of a .30 caliber magnum cartridge to hunt roan antelope.
Where to Hunt Roan
Locations for the ultimate Roan hunt include:
- South Africa: The premier destination for southern roan, particularly on private game reserves in the Limpopo Province and Eastern Cape.
- Zambia: A legendary, wild destination for roan antelope, with hunts generally taking place from May through November.
- Namibia: Available on both free-range concessions (like the Caprivi) and private game ranches.
- West & Central Africa: For the Western Roan subspecies, destinations include Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
You can also hunt Roan on some high-fence hunting preserves in Texas.
What is Considered a Trophy Roan
A roan with 25 inch or longer horns is considered a trophy animal.
Cost to Hunt Roan
It costs from $5,000 to $30,000 to hunt roan depending on the country you hunt. Hunting at a high-fence hunting preserve in Texas is the most expensive way to hunt a roan.
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