I had never been that interested in hunting a Caracal and thenI start reading about it and then a few pictures here on AH and that was that. The odd trophy hunting trip had to have a Caracal added.
The Caracal hunt was a bit of a weird affair. I actually got to hunt two.
The second was from the back seat watching everything happen after already having located the dogs and then having walked in on the dogs treeing the cat. Then the long wait for the hunter to show up and do his thing.
Very interesting to see both sides of the equation.
Crawling through the thick stuff to find the dogs was interesting.
Hearing about the dig handler becoming quote concerned when the hunter shows up with a bow was another really interesting reality check.
Apparently a lot of Bow hunters do not get the job done right and the dogs and the handler take the brunt of the ineffective shooting.
I did more sliding down the slope on my ass than walking in some sections.
I also ended up making sure all the branches were out of the way before the shot. Thankfully this cat was still focused on the dogs and not watching the new interloper sliding in.
I did not practice a lot of sitting shots. Most times I practice from various standing positions and maybe some kneeling.
So, this was actually a first time on game that I would be shooting from a true sitting position.
Not really worried about it, bit it was novel.
The cat was laying on a branch facing toward me but looking over its shoulder to the left. This shot was only going to be about ten yards at most so picking the exact spot was going to be the challenge not the distance.
After hearing about old Cecil relentlessly I was not going to have to chase this cat after the shot.
Thought back to those darned shot placement pictures and made sure I knew where the heart was located.
Apparently it is the same as the old Lions.
Watching the dogs work was quite fun for me. I have Springers and they are not allowed to make noise while hunting. These guys hardly ever shut up. What an invigorating sound to hear in the bush.
Aiming up at a 35 degree angle and I got set and let it go at the point I was certain would create the perfect heart shot.
I knew it was a perfect shot when I watched the blood coming out instantly. Dead center of the heart. I have never seen this before because most of the time yo are dealing with recoil.
A few seconds later, the cat dropped on the dogs and the shouting started to keep the cat from becoming a chew toy.
You could see the relief on the dog handlers face and in his posture.
Hearty congratulations being shouted were also evidence that there had been some tension over the bow being used.
A very nice sized Male. (This is the exit side.)
The weapons
One of the heros of this little drama.
One of the pack showing ultimate respect for the dog handler.
