About the Common Duiker (grey)
General Information
The common duiker, also known as the grey or bush duiker, is a resilient and highly adaptable small antelope found widely across sub-Saharan Africa. Famous for its secretive nature and ability to dive into thick underbrush when threatened, this herbivore thrives in diverse environments ranging from open savannas to the fringes of human settlements.
Built for life in heavy cover, the common duiker stands barely knee-high—growing about 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder—and weighs between 25 to 50 pound. While females are typically larger, only males possess short, straight horns. Their coat color varies significantly depending on their region, ranging from grizzled gray in moist environments to pale, reddish-yellow in arid areas. Diet-wise, they are highly adaptable foragers. Though they primarily browse for leaves, seeds, and fruit, they will also opportunistically consume insects, small birds, and carrion. Because they extract moisture from the vegetation they eat, they can go incredibly long periods without drinking open water.
These antelopes are largely solitary and fiercely territorial, often marking their designated areas using secretions from glands located just below their eyes. When startled by predators like leopards, pythons, or eagles, they rely on explosive acceleration, darting through dense brush with a distinctive zig-zag motion. This evasive running style inspired the animal’s name, which comes from the Afrikaans word for “diver”.
Suitable Weapons
Use a small caliber center fire rifle to hunt a common duiker. Some people use a large caliber rifle with solid, fully jacketed bullets to hunt a duiker.
Hunting Area
The Common Duiker is widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa. The best countries to hunt them are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique.
South Africa and Namibia are the best countries to hunt the common duiker.
These duikers prefer to live in thickets, shrubs, or tall grass.
Trophy Expectations
A trophy common duiker will have horns that measure from 4 to 5 inches long. Anything longer than 6 inches is an exceptional trophy.
Cost to Hunt
The trophy fee to hunt a common duiker ranges from $350 to $800 depending on the country and outfitter.
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