leopard hunting

I have a historical question about leopard hunting that that perhaps some of the members of this forum can answer. In the early 20th century, leopard hunting (such as Jim Corbett's hunts for two famous man-eaters) often took the form of a hunter concealed in a tree and live bait, often a goat, staked out on the ground. It wasn't necessarily a universal practice, but it certainly was common. Somewhere along the line, this procedure for taking leopards was reversed, with the hunter now in a blind on the ground and dead bait tied in a tree. I don't recall ever seeing this change in tactics discussed in any memoirs or other publications, although it might be a faulty memory on my part. Did this change originate in Africa, when did it happen, and does anyone know who began it and why? Thanks very much.

I see this is your first post, so welcome to AH. I can't tell you who started the reversal but I can give you one of the reasons why we do it. Leopards, today, are often hunted in areas where there is a concentration (game farms and private reserves) of other carnivores. Bait for leopard, which often takes a few days to be effective, would then be taken by other animals if it was not placed out of reach.

Originally Posted by DOCMAN

I see this is your first post, so welcome to AH. I can't tell you who started the reversal but I can give you one of the reasons why we do it. Leopards, today, are often hunted in areas where there is a concentration (game farms and private reserves) of other carnivores. Bait for leopard, which often takes a few days to be effective, would then be taken by other animals if it was not placed out of reach.

Hyenas don't climb and I assume the bigger cats don't/or don't like to Doc? Or am I wrong on that?

Welcome to AH Yingwe! this is a good question I am looking forward to the replys.

Originally Posted by 35bore

Hyenas don't climb and I assume the bigger cats don't/or don't like to Doc? Or am I wrong on that?

I have seen videos where huge cats move about the tree as easily as you move around your house.

Yes I have seen (probably the same videos), but, seems like a lot of the guys who live there say the Big Boys would rather stay on the ground, and don't climb much....

Welcome to AH.

I figure it was the advent of Television. Easier to video tape from a blind.

No idea myself, but that is an interesting question though.

Originally Posted by 35bore

Hyenas don't climb and I assume the bigger cats don't/or don't like to Doc? Or am I wrong on that?

..you got that right. Lions will climb if they need to or want to, but it's rare. Also, leopards are the only of the cats that will, by choice, feed on 'ripe' meat.

We are busy with a leopard hunt at this very moment, depending from area to area we will choose our baiting method we are now hunting a cattle farm also with goats,we do not have lion or heyena in the area so we bait on the ground, the leopard did feed two nights in a row the client will arrive tomorrow 18 April hope we can post some pictures soon. We also do hunt a number of lion every year and i had seen male lion getting into a tree but this does not happen each and every day .

Leopards are probably the most unpredictable animal in Africa . You learn something new on every hunt ! The other predators or scavengers has a big influence on how we bait. We might start on the ground and move it up later if the leopard has taken the bait. The most important is to put the bait where the leopards move around. You need to know the routers or areas they would favour.

I have not really had any cats that would not climb. The reason for having the blind in an elevated spot were probably to protect them if the leopard charged or wounded. If it is day - hunting this also allows for more visibility for the hunter !

Leopard hunts are the most rewarding hunts you can get !

Docman hit the nail on the head.
I have been amazed at the hight and awkwardness that Lion will climb for bait in northern Mozambique particularly. Even the trackers have a hard time setting the bait so high. Certainly no chance for a ground Leopard bait.
In some parts of Zim the bait is likely to be taken by the two legged predator, but hight of bait wont help in these instances..

These answers are all very interesting. I look forward to more. Thanks to all of you!

I would think that if a "live" bait worked a half century ago it would work today but, can live bait be used in SA or Namib today? I don't know but it's an interesting question. Maybe jackals would ruin the setup today.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

I would think that if a "live" bait worked a half century ago it would work today but, can live bait be used in SA or Namib today? I don't know but it's an interesting question. Maybe jackals would ruin the setup today.

Illegal to use live bait in South Africa ! I am sure it still happens though !

One really interesting technique I saw on a recent video was used on a big old tom that refused to come to the bait during daylight hours. This was not the first time this cat had done this to the PH and after more than a week of night time feeding instead of securing the bait in the tree they simply wedged the impala up there. When the cat came to feed that night he knocked the bait from the tree and pulled it up a nearby tree. When they came the next morning and found this they did not approach the new tree, instead they slightly repositioned the blind for a shot and spent the rest of the day waiting, the theory being that the cat would feel insecure leaving this bait unattended all day and come to check that it had not fallen and become lunch for Hyena or Jackal. It worked, the cat did come to check on things late in the afternoon and they collected the nocturnal cat that had eluded them an several hunts before.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

I would think that if a "live" bait worked a half century ago it would work today but, can live bait be used in SA or Namib today? I don't know but it's an interesting question. Maybe jackals would ruin the setup today.

If you want you can have one piece of slightly insane naziterrorist from Norway. Just chain him to a tree and lean back relaxed in the blind. Could be better suited for lions though.....