Expected Harvest

When you have not yet hunted, or are a new hunter, judging size and yield from an animal is a difficult prospect, especially on a budget. One tip is to not overthink it. You might really want a Kudu, but only Waterbuck or Wildebeest show up. It is often a good idea to make the decision to first take what comes in and then to wait for the “first choice”, especially if your time is limited. That way you have meat in the freezer. Otherwise, you might end up not drawing your bow the whole trip.

  • The averages below is what you can expect from a 90% animal and should only be used as a guide for estimating.
  • Different regions will have differing averages.
  • Based on early season condition
  • Actual meat weight received from the butcher will vary depending on processing and fat content added.

Blesbuck

Male

Live Weight: 70-75kg
Carcass Weight: 35-38kg
Bone: 5-8kg
Usable Meat: 30kg

Female

Live Weight: 55-65kg
Carcass Weight: 28-33kg
Bone: 5-7kg
Usable Meat: 24kg

Blue Wildebeest

Male

Live Weight: 250kg
Carcass Weight: 120-130kg
Bone: 27-30kg
Usable Meat: 100kg

Female

Live Weight: 200kg
Carcass Weight: 95-100kg
Bone: 20-25kg
Usable Meat: 80kg

Bush Pig

Male

Live Weight: 55-60kg
Carcass Weight: 30-32kg
Bone: 6-7kg
Usable Meat: 22-25kg

Female

Live Weight: 55-60kg
Carcass Weight: 30-32kg
Bone: 6-7kg
Usable Meat: 22-25kg

Buffalo

Male

Live Weight: 800kg
Carcass Weight: 400-420kg
Bone: 90-100kg
Usable Meat: 300-320kg

Female

Live Weight: 750kg
Carcass Weight: 370-390kg
Bone: 75-85kg
Usable Meat: 280-300kg

Eland

Male

Live Weight: 700kg
Carcass Weight: 345-360kg
Bone: 70-90kg
Usable Meat: 270-280kg

Female

Live Weight: 460kg
Carcass Weight: 225-245kg
Bone: 50-55kg
Usable Meat: 170-190kg

Gemsbuck

Male

Live Weight: 230-240kg
Carcass Weight: 115-125kg
Bone: 25-30kg
Usable Meat: 95kg

Female

Live Weight: 200-210kg
Carcass Weight: 100-110kg
Bone: 20-25kg
Usable Meat: 80-85kg

Giraffe

Male

Live Weight: 1200kg
Carcass Weight: 600-800kg
Bone: 135-200kg
Usable Meat: 480-520kg

Female

Live Weight: 800kg
Carcass Weight: 400-420kg
Bone: 90-120kg
Usable Meat: 320-350kg

Kudu

Male

Live Weight: 250-270kg
Carcass Weight: 130-140kg
Bone: 30-35kg
Usable Meat: 100-110kg

Female

Live Weight: 190-210kg
Carcass Weight: 100kg
Bone: 20-25kg
Usable Meat: 75-85kg

Red Hartebeest

Male

Live Weight: 130-145kg
Carcass Weight: 68-75kg
Bone: 15kg
Usable Meat: 50-60kg

Female

Live Weight: 115-130kg
Carcass Weight: 60-70kg
Bone: 15kg
Usable Meat: 45-55kg

Impala

Male

Live Weight: 65kg
Carcass Weight: 30-35kg
Bone: 7kg
Usable Meat: 25kg

Female

Live Weight: 45kg
Carcass Weight: 23kg
Bone: 5kg
Usable Meat: 18-20kg

Warthog

Male

Live Weight: 100kg
Carcass Weight: 50-55kg
Bone: 12kg
Usable Meat: 40-45kg

Female

Live Weight: 70kg
Carcass Weight: 30-35kg
Bone: 8-10kg
Usable Meat: 25-30kg

Waterbuck

Male

Live Weight: 230-245kg
Carcass Weight: 110-130kg
Bone: 25-30kg
Usable Meat: 90-100kg

Female

Live Weight: 170-180kg
Carcass Weight: 80-90kg
Bone: 20-25kg
Usable Meat: 70-80kg

Zebra

Male

Live Weight: 300-330kg
Carcass Weight: 150-165kg
Bone: 33-38kg
Usable Meat: 120-130kg

Female

Live Weight: 300-310kg
Carcass Weight: 150-160kg
Bone: 33-35kg
Usable Meat: 120kg

Averages for Calculations

Animal Weight 100%  (100kg)
minus 10% for loss (10kg)

Adjusted weight minus 43% for innards, skin and offal (38.7kg)
= Carcass (51.3kg)

Carcass weight minus 22% for bone (11.3kg)
= Usable Meat (40kg)

About Sean Nel 51 Articles
Sean Nel is a staff shooter for Archer's Edge South Africa, Beestinger, GoldTip, Sureloc and Health Matrix as well as an accredited Archery Instructor with the South African National Archery Association (SANAA)