A temporal analysis of trophy quality in South Africa: has trophy quality changed over time?

Adatabase of approximately 9000 trophy measurements of ungulates hunted in South Africa between 1993 and 2001 was analysed in order to detect monotonic trends in trophy quality over time. In a species-specific analysis, declines were found for impala (Aepyceros melampus), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula). In an area-specific analysis, a decline was found in the Northern Cape Province. Conversely, blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi ) (species-specific) and the Free State Province (area-specific) showed increases in trophy quality. As an economic indicator, the monitoring of trophy quality allows agencies to potentially evaluate the quality and sustainability of their ‘huntable’ ungulate resources