MOZAMBIQUE: My Leopard & Crocodile Hunt In Cahorra Bassa

no1waterdog

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My trip to Mozambique started July 28,2015.I left Pasco, Washington airport at 7:15 A.M.,Then to Minnieopolis and then to Atlanta,Ga. After a 3 hour layover off to Johannesburg.,SA. and a night at the Afton House. IT was a very nice evening talking with other hunters and where they were off to. The next morning I left at 10:35 A.M. July30,2015 for Tete, Mozambique.

I met with Jaco Strauss of Kwalata Safaris and after my Rifle and ammo was inspeation we were off to camp. 3 and one half hours by car then 1 and one half hours by 22 foot boat across Cahorra Bassa lake ( 600 miles of shore line) this is a big lake. When you arrive at camp the whole staff comes out to meet you and take your gear to my home for the next 16 days.
The next day two of the young Ph,s in D.G. school,with Jaco, took me to an island to zero in my rifle. Then off to check baits. We split into 3 groups as this was a very large area that was pre baited. We used pigs and goats for bait as it is not legal to use game as bait. The war in Mozambique killed off most of the game in this area,the war got over in 1992. On day 9,one of our baits was hit on a dry river bed on the Musomba river. They set up a blind And renewed the bait. Then waited in the blindfor the Leopard ,at 7 P.M. we could hear the cat on the bait eating, Got the rifle on target, turned on the light, one shot with the Ruger 375 with 300 grain Nosler partition and the cat was down.130 pounds and about 7 foot long I had my leopard, This after three hunts and 40 days of hard hunting.
Jaco's staff worked very hard for me and only another hunter can know how much work goes into a leopard hunt. On August 12,2015 we hunted a very large Crocodile 14 to 15 feet long and over 12 in. bit off his tail making him 15 to 16 foot long and about 3000 pounds. What a job getting him back to camp. We sent one of the PH,s back to camo to get all hands but the cook to help. the boat was a catamaran, twin hull we floated the big croco under the boat and returned the 8 miles to camp. The cook (pepi) was on the shore beating a drum and singing and dancing,this was a great day.
There was people in our team and all did a great job, just like a well oiled machine.August 14,2015 prepared to leave camp,was very hard as we had become very close over the last two weeks. I also had the opportunity to fish for Tiger fish,I cought two of them.
This was the best hunt in my 75 years. Thank you to the best team in Africa. John W. Rauner
Look for the pictures posted by Jaco in his past posts (http://www.africahunting.com/thread...rness-leopard-crocodile-hunting-safari.23667/)

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Congrats!!!!

Dreams do become reality sometimes. :)
 
@no1waterdog, I added the pictures of your Leopard and Crocodile into your post. Congratulations on two beautiful trophies!
 
Congratulations on finally getting that leopard. Glad Jaco was able to make it happen.

Great croc as well.

Thanks for sharing the story and photos!
 
Thank you Jerome for posting the pictures.John
 
Well done, congrats!
 
sounds like a grerat team effort on every detail , , no.1, congratulations on both your leopard and monster croc , mate
 
My trip to Mozambique started July 28,2015.I left Pasco, Washington airport at 7:15 A.M.,Then to Minnieopolis and then to Atlanta,Ga.After a 3 hour layover off to Johannesburg.,SA. and a night at the Afton House.IT was a very nice evening talking with other hunters and where they were off to.The next morning I left at 10:35 A.M. July30,2015 for Tete, Mozambique.

I met with Jaco Strauss of Kwalata Safaris and after my Rifle and ammo was inspeation we were off to camp.3 and one half hours by car then 1 and one half hours by 22 foot boat across Cahorra Bassa lake ( 600 miles of shore line) this is a big lake.When you arrive at camp the whole staff come,s out to meet you and take your gear to my home for the next 16 days.
The next day two of the young Ph,s in D.G. school,with Jaco , took me to an island to zero in my rifle.Then off to check baits. We split into 3 groups as this was a very large area that was pre baited.We used pigs and goats for bait as it is not legal to use game as bait. The war in Mozambique killed off most of the game in this area,the war got over in 1992.On day 9,one of our baits was hit on a dry river bed on the Musomba river. They set up a blind And renewed the bait.Then waited in the blindfor the Leopard ,at 7 P.M. we could hear the cat on the bait eating,Got the rifle on target,turned on the light,one shot with the Ruger 375 with 300 grain Nosler partition and the cat was down.130 pounds and about 7 foot long I had my leopard, This after three hunts and 40 days of hard hunting.
Jaco,s staff worked very hard for me and only another hunter can know how much work go,s into a leopard hunt.On August 12,2015 we hunted a very large Crocodile 14 to 15 feet long and over 12 in. bit off his tail making him 15 to 16 foot long and about 3000 pounds. What a job getting him back to camo,We set one of the Ph,s back to camo to get all hands but the cook to help. the boat was a catamaran,twin hull we flooted the big croco under the boat and returned the 8 miles to camp.The cook (pepi) was on the shore beating a drum and singing and dancing,this was a great day.
There was people in our team and all did a great job,just like a well oiled machine.August 14,2015 prepared to leave camp,was very hard as we had become very close over the last two weeks.I also had the opportunity to fish for Tiger fish,I cought two of them.
This was the best hunt in my 75 years,Thank you to the best team in Africa. John W. Rauner
Look for the pictures posted by Jaco in his past posts (http://www.africahunting.com/thread...rness-leopard-crocodile-hunting-safari.23667/)

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Congratulations sir. What a croc!
 
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Congrats on a your trophies, beaut croc.
 
Congrats on the fine trophies!
 
I found it interesting that you can't use game for bait. Is this only a law on that area, because it is legal to use game as bait in Mozambique.
 
Congrats for a great hunt John !
 
The harder you have to work for a trophy the more you respect and remember them. Nice leopard. Great croc! Congrats. Bruce
 
Thank you all.John
 
Wow what a great hunt and quality trophies!
Regards,
Philip
 
Congrat's on a great hunt John! That croc is a brute!
 

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