Predator calls?

I am leaving for Limpopo in two days and have packed my predator call just to see what will happen. I also packed a rattle bag (sine the rut is supposed to be in) to see if I can't call something in.

Anyone ever tried to use a predator call or a rattle bag in Africa?

It has been done. Predator calls I mean.
No idea on the rattle bag. Horns don't rattle like antlers do!
Tell us how it goes!

Predator calls do work and are used. It depends what you are looking for ? Good luck ! I am sur eyou will have an incredible hunt !

Predator calls work great for calling in animals like Jackal I'm sure they will work for other predators as well.

I used a mouth blown call in Zimbabwe to call in jackals The farmers who raise sheep and goats in Namibia use them for the same purpose as they lose sometimes 30% of their lambs to jackals. I brought a Power Dog this time to Namibia and the first question I was asked was - "Do you have a lion call recorded on that thing?". It seems lions will come from as far as 10 miles if they hear a good call. Lions can't be shot if they come to a call in Namibia.

Depending where you call there are certainly a wide variety of animals that could potentially respond. Jackal, Serval, Wildcat, Foxes, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Leopard?, Honey Badger? and the one I will be calling for this year Caracal! Both mouth and electronic calls are used regularly with great success, especially at night.

Originally Posted by mstewart44

I am leaving for Limpopo in two days and have packed my predator call just to see what will happen. I also packed a rattle bag (sine the rut is supposed to be in) to see if I can't call something in.

Anyone ever tried to use a predator call or a rattle bag in Africa?

Don't think the rattle will work as game calls are not very big here in South Africa. The predator call will work, if you know what you are doing. Be sure to take your PH with. Ask him to get on the predator call while you sit with the rifle at the shoulder. You might very well call in a jackal or caracal. One of the calls that I have found to be really good is the "catnip" from primos.

Best of luck on your hunt!

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

So I am back from RSA and did take my rabbit call. I sat in an open field only one evening and called three times about 20 minutes apart starting at 4:30. About 5:45 we spotted a lone jackel behind us at 45 yards. Took a running shot but no luck. I believe this is proof predator calling does work in SA.

I hunted with Mof Venter of Adansonia Safaris and had a great time. I will post a full report when I get caught up with the two weeks worth of stuff on my desk. My hunting companion shot an 85.5 inch kudu and a 32 inch waterbuck. Yes, you read it correctly.... 32 inches! Mof said it was the biggest waterbuck anyone has ever taken while on safari with his operation which has been doing business for 17 years. It made my 27 incher look small when we took side by side pictures. I will post pics soon.

85.5 inch Kudu!?!?!?!?!?!?! Is that a typo?

Obviously since he made special mention of the 32 waterbuck but not the 85 inch kudu. Probably 55 inch.

Originally Posted by sestoppelman

Obviously since he made special mention of the 32 waterbuck but not the 85 inch kudu. Probably 55 inch.

That's what I was thinking. Sure would be nice to see an 85 inch Kudu! Nothing like setting the bar high!

As a terribly dyslexic typer, I'm translating 85.5" to 58.5". Either way I cant wait for the report and pics.

sorry guys, indeed 58.5 inch kudu, and yes, 32 inch Monster waterbuck! pics attached. 32 inch one side, 31.75 on the other. I included a picture of the skulls from the salt. The smaller waterbuck is actually a solid trophy at 27.5" right / 26.5" left.

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That is a huge Waterbuck but the Kudu is still what catches my eye, perfectly symetrical into the 3rd curl. Absolutely gorgeous. Looks like some other nice trophies there as well. Love the Nyala.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

That is a huge Waterbuck but the Kudu is still what catches my eye, perfectly symetrical into the 3rd curl. Absolutely gorgeous. Looks like some other nice trophies there as well. Love the Nyala.

A perfect Kudu in my opinion! But indeed the Waterbuck is fantastic too, congrats mstewart!

Indeed a perfect kudu. Congrats!

A couple of real "monstas" for sure! Love the kudu!

Dandy's for sure mstewart44. with a kudu like that the buy behind it should have a big smile. none the less, congratulations on a successful hunt. more pic's and the whole story.

BTW, mstewart44 who did you hunt with, website?

The guy in the pics is not me, he is a friend who went with me and it was his first trip! He had no idea what he shot. All I could say every time I looked at that kudu was "Holy Sh!t that's a big kudu!!" He shot that kudu on day 2. Toward the end of the trip he started to "get it." I told him he should go buy some lottery tickets when we got back to the states. The PH told everyone about the water buck and almost everyone would say "does that guy realize what kind of trophy he has?" believe me, I have plenty of pics where you can't see the animal for the smile on his face!

We hunted with Mof Venter of Adansonia Safaris. Here is his website: Welcome