Dik-Dik Hunting

The Dik-Dik antelope has a pointed mobile snout, big eyes and a tuft of erectile hair like a duiker.

Dik-Dik are tiny antelopes that come in different shades of colour depending on habitat - the drier semi-desert areas usually have paler individuals.

Dik-Dik Trophy Minimums

As with some other small antelope, there are lots of dik-dik species and subspecies, some of which are no longer recognised or are a matter of dispute with experts. The main dik-dik genus is Madoqua and the Rhynchotragus dik-diks are thought to be a subgenus. As usual with scientifically confusing animal species, Rowland Ward and SCI have some different dik-dik record book categories.

Where To Hunt Dik-Dik

• Ethiopia is home to the most bewildering array of dik-dik species. Unless you are a die-hard dik-dik hunter trying to collect all the huntable dik-diks, you probably don't care about the which dik-dik you are hunting or which record book has a classification for it.
• A quick look at Ethiopian trophy lists will reveal Guenther's dik-dik, Cordeaux's dik-dik, Harar dik-dik and Salt's dik-dik, all available to hunt on a lowland hunt in the Danakil and Omo Valley regions of Ethiopia. (There other dik-dik subspecies in Ethiopia which are not on any trophy lists which include Phillip's dik-dik, Swayne's dik-dik and Lawrence's dik-dik).
• Technically Cordeaux's dik-dik is an invalid species and now comes under the umbrella of Salt's dik-dik. It is no longer classified by SCI but is with Rowland Ward.
• The Harar dik-dik is another subspecies of the Salt's dik-dik. The Harar dik-dik is recognised by SCI but not RW.
• Guenther's dik-dik is a separate subspecies from the Rhynchotragus group of dik-diks and looks quite different. Guenther's dik-dik is acceptable with SCI and RW.
• So in summary, you can really only hunt Salt's and Guenther's dik-dik in Ethiopia.
• In Uganda you can only hunt the Guenther's dik-dik.
• In north and central Tanzania, you can hunt the Kirk's dik-dik on a 16 and 21 day licence.
• In northwestern and central Namibia, you can hunt the Damara dik-dik which is a subspecies of Kirk's dik-dik.

Dik-Dik Hunting Prices

The dik-dik is not usually an African hunter's priority animal so is just hunted when the opportunity arises.

• On a lowland hunt in Ethiopia, you will need to ask the outfitter ahead of time about hunting a Salt's or Guenther's dik-dik and pay the non-refundable licence fee. The trophy fee for a Salt's dik-dik is US$340 and a Guenther's dik-dik is US$200.
• In Uganda, the Guenther's dik-dik trophy fee ranges from US$200 to US$800.
• In Tanzania the Government trophy fee for Kirk's dik-dik is US$250 but with added community development/anti-poaching charges, you will get a trophy fee of between US$330 and US$400.
• In Namibia the Damara dik-dik commands a trophy fee that varies between US$1150 to US$2500.

Dik-Dik Hunting Methods

• Walking and stalking in the likely habitat and keeping a sharp eye out, will frequently reveal these tiny antelope. Dusk or dawn are the best times of day to hunt the dik-dik.

A Good Dik-Dik Trophy

• Look for a mature male dik-dik with thick horn bases and good horn length - only the males have horns. As with most small antelope, horns that are level with or extend past the tips of the ears will be an indication for a good trophy.

Dik-Dik Hunting Shot Placement

• A smaller calibre is preferable and a shot into the chest area should cause less trophy damage.

Male Dik-Dik Vital Statistics

Dik-Dik Habitat And Requirements

• Dik-dik are adapted to arid conditions and prefer light bush cover.
• They are pure browsers and are water-independent.

Dik-Dik Social Structure

• Dik-dik live as monogamous pairs. If you see one, the other one won't be far away.

Dik-Dik Gestation Period

• After a gestation period of 6 months, one offspring is usually born.

Dik-Dik Gender Identification

• Only males have corrugated horns. These may be slightly hidden by the erectile forelock.

Dik-dik Gallery

Dik-Dik Trophy Permits (2015)

Dik-Dik Trophy Taxidermy

• The tiny dik-dik makes a very attractive full mount on a habitat base.
• Don't forget to tell your taxidermist not to blacken and polish the horns, if you want the horns to look natural.

The Name Of The Dik-Dik

The name dik-dik was given to this antelope in east Africa and is thought be based on the sound of its alarm call.

• Salt's dik-dik, Madoqua saltiana, was named after Henry Salt (1780 - 1827) who was a British diplomat, artist and collector who travelled to Ethiopia. He brought back many plant and bird specimens, among which were the skin and horns of the previously unknown dik-dik.
• Guenther's dik-dik, Rhynchotragus guentheri, was named after Dr Albert Carl Ludwig Guenther (1830 - 1914) who was a German born zoologist and collector who became a British subject, calling himself Charles Lewis Guenther. He specialised in fish and reptiles but along the way found his dik-dik in east Africa.
• Kirk's dik-dik, Rhynchotragus kirkii, was named after Sir John Kirk (1832 - 1922), a Scottish physician, naturalist and friend of David Livingstone, accompanying him on the second Zambezi expedition. An avid specimen collector he found his dik-dik in east Africa.
• The Damara or Damaraland dik-dik, Rhynchotragus damarensis, is named after the native Damara clans of Namibia. Even with this dik-dik population being so far away from that in east Africa, it is recognised as a subspecies of Kirk's dik-dik.

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Waterside Hunting

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Other Plains Game Hunting

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Spiral Horned Antelope Hunting

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Large Antelope Hunting

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Medium Antelope Hunting

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Small Antelope Hunting

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