About the Blue Duiker
Info About the Blue Duiker
The blue duiker is one of the smallest antelopes in the world, often standing no taller than a house cat. Native to the dense, shaded forests and woodlands of Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, this tiny mammal gets its name from its slate-gray coat and the Dutch/Afrikaans word for “diver,” which refers to its habit of diving headfirst into dense underbrush to escape danger.
Weighing just 8 to 12 pounds and measuring only 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder, the blue duiker relies heavily on its diminutive size and camouflaged coat to move unseen through the forest floor. Both males and females typically grow small, sharp horns. To establish and protect their territories, they use specialized scent glands located near their hooves and below their eyes, rubbing a unique, waxy secretion onto trees and rocks.
These highly territorial antelopes form lifelong monogamous pairs. They are most active at dawn and dusk, spending their time foraging for fallen fruits, flowers, and tender leaves. They often follow in the wake of monkeys and birds in the canopy above, snapping up pieces of fruit that the animals drop. Because their diet consists of moisture-rich foods, they do not need to rely heavily on open water sources to survive.
Recommended Calibers
A small centerfire rifle or a shotgun is usually used to hunt blue duiker.
Where to Hunt Blue Duiker
- Dense vegetation: They rely on thick understories and overhead canopy for shelter and concealment from predators like leopards and crowned eagles.
- Diverse forests: They can be found in lowland rainforests, montane (mountain) forests, coastal scrub, riverine forests, and even dense thickets.
What is Considered a Trophy Blue Duiker
A blue duiker trophy is generally considered good if the horns measure from 2 to 2.5 inches. Because these tiny antelopes stand only about 12 inches tall at the shoulder and both males and females carry very short, spike-like horns, anything above 1.5 inches is highly prized.
- Average Trophy: Horn length of from 1.5 to 2 inches.
- Exceptional Trophy: Horn length of from 2 to 3 inches.
Cost to Hunt Blue Duiker
The trophy fee for a blue duiker is from $1,500 to $3,000.
