Jackal Hunting South Africa
Fast-Paced Predator Hunting in Limpopo
About the Black-Backed Jackal
The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a medium-sized canid weighing between 6 and 12 kilograms. Their distinctive appearance features a rich reddish-tan coat with a prominent saddle of dark, silver-flecked fur running from the back of the neck to the base of the tail. They have a fox-like face with large, erect ears that give them exceptional hearing.
Black-backed jackals are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on small mammals, birds, insects, fruit, and carrion. On farms and game reserves, they are effective predators of newborn lambs, young antelope, and ground-nesting birds. This predatory behaviour has earned them pest status in many agricultural areas, and population management through hunting is widely practiced.
Jackals are highly intelligent, adaptable, and wary animals. They are predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal but are regularly seen during daylight hours. They typically live in monogamous pairs that defend a shared territory, and their eerie, yipping calls are one of the signature sounds of the African night.
Jackal Hunting Methods — Calling & Spot and Stalk
Several effective methods are used for jackal hunting:
- Opportunistic encounters: The most common way to take a jackal is during a plains game hunt. Jackals are frequently seen at dawn and dusk crossing roads, trotting through open areas, or following a hunting party in hopes of scavenging from a kill.
- Calling: This is the most exciting and effective dedicated method. Using electronic or mouth-blown predator calls that mimic the distress cries of rabbits, hares, or small antelope, jackals can be called within shooting range. A well-concealed hunter downwind of the caller can experience a heart-pounding close encounter as a curious or hungry jackal approaches at speed.
- Night hunting: Jackals can be hunted at night using spotlights from a vehicle or blind. Their eyes reflect brightly in a spotlight, making them relatively easy to locate after dark. Night calling is particularly effective.
- Near bait or carcasses: Jackals are attracted to the remains of other animals taken during the hunt. Waiting near a bait site at dawn or dusk can produce opportunities.
What Is a Trophy Jackal? — Skull, Skin & Full-Body Mount
A jackal makes an attractive and unusual trophy. Full-body mounts in a trotting or alert pose are popular and display the animal’s beautiful coat pattern to full effect. Flat skin rugs are another option, and jackal pelts are attractive enough to serve as decorative pieces in their own right. Skull mounts are also available for those who prefer a more understated display.
A good trophy jackal will have a thick, well-furred coat with a clearly defined black saddle and rich reddish-tan flanks. Winter pelts (May through August) are typically thicker and more luxurious than summer coats.
Current jackal trophy fees are listed on our South Africa Trophy Price List. Jackal is one of the most affordable add-on species available on a Limpopo plains game safari.
Jackal Shot Placement — Small, Fast Target
For a visual overview of shot placement across all species, see our South Africa Shot Placement Guide. Jackals are small, quick-moving targets. The recommended aiming point is the centre of the shoulder on a broadside animal, placing the bullet through the heart and lungs. Because jackals are often moving when encountered, a shot to the forward shoulder area offers the best margin for error.
Recommended calibers are .22 centrefire (such as .223 Remington or .22-250) up to .243 Winchester. These flat-shooting calibers provide the accuracy needed for small, often moving targets at ranges of 50 to 200 metres. If calling jackals, shots may be very close — 30 to 50 metres — where quick target acquisition is more important than ballistic performance.
Best Time to Hunt Jackal in South Africa
Jackal can be hunted year-round, but late autumn and winter (April through August) offer the most consistent results for calling. During this period, jackals are less distracted by breeding activity and respond more reliably to distress and prey calls. Early morning and late afternoon are the peak activity periods, with a secondary nocturnal window after dark.
Jackal hunting is almost always an opportunistic addition to a plains game safari, requiring no additional dedicated days. Combine with impala, warthog, or kudu as part of a full Limpopo safari. See our hunting packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hunt jackal as an add-on to my plains game safari?
Yes, and this is the most common approach. Simply let your professional hunter at Gaspare Spanio Safaris know you are interested, and he will keep a lookout during all hunting activities. If time allows, a dedicated calling session at dawn or dusk can be arranged — these are thrilling and highly recommended.
Is the black-backed jackal endangered?
Not at all. The black-backed jackal is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is abundant across southern Africa. In many farming areas, they are classified as a problem animal, and their population management through hunting is considered both necessary and beneficial. Hunting jackals at Gaspare Spanio Safaris contributes to predator management on the property.
What is the best time to call jackals?
The most productive calling times are the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Jackals are most active during these crepuscular periods and most responsive to distress calls. Night calling with a spotlight is also very effective. Your professional hunter will recommend the best timing based on conditions during your safari.
Hunters who pursue Jackal also enjoy these species:
- Caracal Hunting South Africa
- Baboon Hunting South Africa
- Warthog Hunting South Africa
- African Civet Hunting South Africa
View all huntable species at Gaspare Spanio Safaris.
Experience the thrill of calling in one of Africa’s most cunning predators. Contact Gaspare Spanio Safaris to include a jackal hunt in your Limpopo safari — it is one of the most exciting add-on species available.
