Leopard Follow Up and Charge

[Aaron.F]

I have wondered and have also seen written and discussed, about using the riThe rifle for the right job or even the right bullet. I have never hunted leopard probably never will, as it is out of my price range and do not like sitting in blinds for an extended period of time, but that does not keep me from having an opinion. . Was the hunter using too stout a bullet for the intended target, especially in a 375. I am assuming that leopard weighed less than 150. Would a 30-06 or 300 Mag with a Partion or A-Frame be better than a 375 designed for larger game?

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I'm in the same position and I've wondered the same. I have searched websites for lion and leopard preferred hunting bullets and they are available. What this client used I guess we will never know. It sure worked on stopping the charge but I suspect it was bullet placement as much as anything.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Client actually got more than he paid for
Should be happy as hell with the whole experience

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I noticed he had more than a pen light and a 270...just saying

When that's all you have on a wounded Leopard, it will have to do, but not doing that again either.

 

[CBeck]

Client actually got more than he paid for
Should be happy as hell with the whole experience

There is little doubt he got what he paid for and perhaps a little more, and I’m speaking only for myself, but I believe I would be disappointed (in myself, not the staff or hunt) and have a hard time feeling I had earned that trophy.

Perhaps a better way to state it would be that every time I looked at the mount I would remember a failed shot and the fact that I put others in danger.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

There is little doubt he got what he paid for and perhaps a little more, and I’m speaking only for myself, but I believe I would be disappointed (in myself, not the staff or hunt) and have a hard time feeling I had earned that trophy.

Perhaps a better way to state it would be that every time I looked at the mount I would remember a failed shot and the fact that I put others in danger.

I have to agree with you, but I hope the gentleman had the leopard mounted. Not so much for him to enjoy, but to honor the PH, tracker and the leopard itself.

Without the input of the client hunter, it's hard to say for sure. But it seems to me that at least part of the emotion he was showing at the end of it all was probably understanding that it was his actions that put the PH and tracker in harm's way.....very real harm. I won't criticize the man, I'll instead use this as learning moment in case I'm ever in a leopard blind.

It would be nice to know the details leading up to the shot. The video was clearly edited to emphasize shot placement in the scene back at camp with the computer, and this was obviously foreshadowing of what was to follow. The shot being emphasized there was with a broadside view of the cat.

The shot however was anything but with a hard quartering to presentation. Did the PH call for the client to shoot at that point is what I'd like to know.

 

[Bonk]

The bonding between the PH and the Tracker after the shot is palpable. They just survived mortal combat as a team. It's one thing to read about following up on a wounded cat but it's an entirely different matter to actually see it. Freaking awesome!

BTW, I capitalized Tracker on purpose. It's as noble a profession as Professional Hunter and he damn sure earned his paycheck that day. They both did.

 

[Bonk]

I've never shot a leopard and I understand the necessity for perfect shot placement. However, I've shot enough game to know you can do everything right and the animal didn't get the memo. Perfect caliber, perfect bullet, perfect shot and the game runs off anyway. I have no idea about this particular scenario but from the low light image we saw it didn't look like a bad shot to me. Maybe the leopard decided he didn't want to die right then. Who knows......

 

[CBeck]

I have to agree with you, but I hope the gentleman had the leopard mounted. Not so much for him to enjoy, but to honor the PH, tracker and the leopard itself.

Without the input of the client hunter, it's hard to say for sure. But it seems to me that at least part of the emotion he was showing at the end of it all was probably understanding that it was his actions that put the PH and tracker in harm's way.....very real harm. I won't criticize the man, I'll instead use this as learning moment in case I'm ever in a leopard blind.

It would be nice to know the details leading up to the shot. The video was clearly edited to emphasize shot placement in the scene back at camp with the computer, and this was obviously foreshadowing of what was to follow. The shot being emphasized there was with a broadside view of the cat.

The shot however was anything but with a hard quartering to presentation. Did the PH call for the client to shoot at that point is what I'd like to know.

I still think I would struggle to feel good about it but I believe you have captured the sentiment that I was struggling to find.

Rather than be the story of defeat use it to tell the story of the professional hunter and tracker. Celebrating that victory takes the sting out a little I suppose.

Hopefully I will never find myself in that situation but again I believe you have captured how to handle it as a gentleman.

Let me tell you the story about these two hunters…

 

[Newboomer]

It is a delicate situation and a tough call. Maybe Jeff didn't feel qualified to take the lead and face the charge not having been in that position before. Maybe the PH didn't want to put him in that kind of danger.

I can sympathize with wanting to take the killing shot and be able to really say it is my trophy taken by my own hand. On the other hand I know I am not qualified to be in that spot. Even though I have hunted since I was old enough to hold a gun I have never faced a dg charge and hope to never have to. I've "killed" several dg in scenarios but real life is an entirely different case. I could see myself in a backup role to the PH and Tracker and taking a shot.

I have had a PH grab my rifle and shoot at an animal I had put a round in. He missed. Pissed me to no end at the time because I knew I had made a killing shot and his blasting away and wasting my ammo didn't set too well. We tracked it down and I put a finishing shot in. I guess, looking back, he wanted to make sure we didn't lose a good trophy.

 

[RTG]

What an amazing shot from the PH. Without any delay and directly on target. Not even with his own rifle. perfection.

I guess the lesson I take from this video is that if I ever want my own leopard, that first shot better be perfect. You may otherwise lose your chance, and rightfully so. Lives are on the line. No one in Africa will know your ability or lack there of.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Well done by a great team.

 

[Fixfire]

As someone previously mentioned with benefits of shotgunning, you need to practice rifle shooting with both eyes open.

 

[Cam Moon]

I guess the lesson I take from this video is that if I ever want my own leopard, that first shot better be perfect. You may otherwise lose your chance, and rightfully so. Lives are on the line.

I think this sums it up perfectly, and is what @CBeck was trying to say.
I wouldn't feel like it was my own either, but you certainly can't blame the PH for his choice of it being him and his Tracker doing the follow-up. I feel for the hunter (client), but it's much better this way than with someone getting hurt or killed.

 

[Vintageguy]

After watching this several times I’ve concluded he made a good first shot but had to have hit a limb. You can see the spray from an impact prior to the leopard and when it’s being carried out you can see a small entrance hole plainly visible and not a bad location but clearly the first shot because that was the offside during the charge and a much larger exit wound farther forward. Good end but I hate it happened to an obviously nice guy. Emphasizes the importance of a clear shooting lane. Spectacular footage though.

 

[Fixfire]

Nothing to be ashamed of, or a trophy not to treasure. Anytime you engage an outfitter and staff, you’re signing up for a team effort. I’m sure todays back-up quarterbacks will celebrate a win just as much! I think his emotions were the overwhelming feeling of taking the life of a magnificent animal. I felt the same way when I killed my first Bull Elk and Kudu.

 

[Newboomer]

Nothing to be ashamed of, or a trophy not to treasure. Anytime you engage an outfitter and staff, you’re signing up for a team effort. I’m sure todays back-up quarterbacks will celebrate a win just as much! I think his emotions were the overwhelming feeling of taking the life of a magnificent animal. I felt the same way when I killed my first Bull Elk and Kudu.

Even though the client didn't get the kill shot he was right there behind the PH and Tracker almost close enough to get mauled if something went wrong. I'm sure he heard and felt the leopard growl and charge. Helluva thrill either way and a great memory..

 

[leopardslayer]

I have personally shot 3 leopards all with different calibers. 1st 30-06, 2nd 300 H&H, 3rd 375 H&H every single one were one shot kills. Every single one ran off approximately 50 yards. Africa has animals that have a will to survive. I’ve shot 5 Cape Cape Buffalo all with great first shot placement. (Before anyone says it is the bullets I’ve used Federal Nosler Partitions, Swift a-frames, Barnes X) ladies and gentleman let’s not belittle this man. This is a trophy whether he finished it off himself or not. I’ve had my Ph (York Mare from Dalton & York Safaris) back me up on Buffalo because lives are on the line. I look at my Buffalo on the wall and say you were one tough S.O.B and you took lead. If you have never been put in a situation with DG in Africa you don’t have a clue. You can clearly see the mans emotion. He is alive, the PH is alive, the tracker is alive. At the end of the day everyone is going home. As hunters we need to build each other up not tear each other down. God Bless Valerio, the hunter and the tracker. And just hope you are never faced with a situation like this because it is not for the faint of heart. Africa is always calling me because of the adrenaline rush. It is not always glorious.

 

[Cam Moon]

@leopardslayer I won't speak for anybody else, but I certainly didn't get the feeling that anyone was trying to belittle the man or tear him down! I know for myself personally that was absolutely not the case. I'm sorry if you interpreted it that way, and even more sorry if he does. That was certainly not my intention.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

to be honest, i just see hunting a little differently
for me its all about the experience, the trophies are great and having them mounted(any which way you please) are reminders of the adventure, the experience, the travel, time with friends, making friends etc etc etc
we all know sharing a hunt is a bond like no other!!!!
and for me its that simple, its an experience!
this is why i enjoy hunting as many different types of animals all over the world, in as many different settings as possible, because they each offer a unique experience, and the experiences you treasure the most are the ones you seek to repeat

regards