ZIMBABWE: Leopard Charge My Nightmare In Zimbabwe

[buck wild]

Crazy

 

[Foxi]

Hapiness (health) often hangs by a thread -a saying in Germany.
Respect for you reaction .
The PH must be also thankful to you.
And the luck not to stop a major bleeding .......
But it shows me again:
Anything can hapen in the bush-at any time.
Waidmannsheil from Munich
Foxi

 

[Pondoro]

Philip, both you and your (tough) PH did well...you will remeber this hunt until you are 100 years old...

When it comes to hunting DG we all have a plan until we get hit...as he so eloquently said...

Hope your PH recover quickly....

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Nice Tom
exciting crazy hunt, but a story that will never get old
in the moment things can get hectic in a second
sound like you guys handled it well

regards

 

[George2014]

Congrats on your Tom!!!... and

 

[Waterguy631]

WOW is all I can say.

 

[Bruce]

Eesshh.... a very close call WELL handled.
A very good old friend of mine ( now deceased) and a PH in Zambia for many years used to refer to leopards as .... mobile chainsaws... with obvious very good reason.

 

[Desert Dog]

WOW!!!!! What an amazing and terrifying experience. Kudus to both of you for staying cool under pressure and working through the situation. Any update on the health of the PH?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Two thoughts:
1) your PH was a freaking hero
2) you are a freaking hero
I'd hunt stuff that bites with either of you any day. Well done!

Actual video of Phillip and his PH right after the final shot put down the cat.......

 

[Red Leg]

The man is standing there with his arm bandaged in a blood soaked frigging camo hat posing for a picture! These guys do not get paid enough. Saying thanks for your deliverance, and praying he has no permanent tendon or muscle damage.

 

[PLM]

Awesome story and great job by both of you guys. Hope the PH heals well and quickly.
I think we all like the notion that we would have the nerve to stay put and react like you did but you never know until the moment arrives. I say both you and the PH did exactly what you should have the way things unfolded. You both must have a large set is all I can say.

 

[AZDAVE]

Well that qualifiers as a significant emotional event Glad you got your cat!!!
Prayers and well wish for a speedy recovery by your PH.

 

[Dr Ray]

Earlier this year as I was planning a third try for leopard I figured it was time to change tactics. I got in contact with Martin Pieters and told him I wanted a hound hunt in Zim. We debated the pros and cons and decided to hire PH Scott Bailey from Bulawayo to guide me in the Matopos area for a leopard hunt with hounds. Scott has extensive experience with leopard and hunting all over Zim for DG. My safari started June 19 and from the day I hit the ground we had bad news. A big leopard that Scott had patterned was killed by hyenas just before I arrived. Now the territories were all changed as new males encroached on the area. With prebaiting done for several days before my arrival all baits were cold and little sign. On day 4 we finally had a gorgeous female and two big cubs feeeding and the excitement was building. Then a 2 year old male joined them for a few nights but kept his distance. No doubt her cub from a couple years ago. The trail cam pics were really cool! Along the way there were some old tracks of big male leopard but we were not finding them. After many miles driven and walked and baits hung and checked we had no gotten to put the dogs to work at all. I was getting frustrated as the safari was well past half done but as hunters we must have patience especially with big cats. Day seven arrived and it would prove to be a day that will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance. About 8:30AM after checking the bait the female and young had been on a curious big male track came near but not all the way to the bait. He walked up about 15 yards from the bait as best the trackers could see then headed off. We had a cold morning, no moon, and some moisture on the ground and a tiny sprinkle of rain working in our favor for this day. We found the tracks crossing the road or should I say the hounds did. They sounded off quite loudly and the hair on my neck stood up. We had a shot at a leopard! After gathering all trackers and vehicles we started on a good trail about 9:30. The cat was obviously hunting and backtracking over and over wasting precious time. The dogs went quiet for an hour but the trackers found the spoor and here we go again. This happened many times with wind and warm temperatures working against us. At noon I assumed we were done. All quiet. Then the trackers find more tracks and they were not headed for the big koppies or hills this area is know for and we knew he stayed in the area somewhere. The dogs got louder and faster until they led us to a very small koppie where the fight began. We were running keeping up with the hounds not wanting to lose any chance we had on this dwindling Safari. The cat stopped to fight under a tree and we moved into position about 30 yards from the yellow hatred filled beast! The PH says there he is under the tree take him! As I acquired him in my scope he came on a full charge and I fired striking him in the mouth and into the lower chest. Not a flinch from the 300 grain Nosler Accubond from my .375 Ruger. (My heart rate is out of control as in retell this story that I would like to forget) I did what many do in a dangerous situation and I know better but somehow the surprise and fear caused me to short stroke the bolt. I was ready to blast that beast in the face point blank but I needed a half of a second more to load the next shell. Scott fires 400 grains at very close range from his .416 into the back of the cats head (missed the skull somehow) and into the neck doing great damage but not stoping the cat. I was ready to take my next shot but time ran out. The cat was headed straight for me with Scott, on my right side he hit the cat with his gun. As soon as Scott moved to strike the cat the focus was on him and the big tom leopard grabbed his left arm and went down. I swung to aim at the cat on the ground and making sure I was clear of Scott I fired and he cat released his arm and lay there dead. I was saved by my PH's actions and will forever be grateful to him. Of course the gentlemen he is he insists I saved his as well by making the last shot! After I fired that last shot my mind instantly recoiled in fear "did I hit far enough away from my PH?" Now to assess the damage. Wow in a second or two seconds max Scott's left arm was riddled with massive puncture wounds and needed major attention. We were two hours walk to the vehicle, an hour from camp from the cars, then 3 or more hours to a hospital. I think it's safe to say we were all in shock. Scott was bandaged up by the trackers, I took a couple not so good trophy pics, and off we went GPS in hand through the thorns and mopane scrub to the vehicles. The cat was shot at 2:00 we made it to the vehicles about 4:00 then camp as the sun was going down. I helped Scott clean his wounds and try to bandage them up.
More to come! This is all I can do today.

I guess you were very lucky not to be killed. That was a serious charge and I truly hope everyone is ok now. Best wishes.

 

[Philip Glass]

Glad your ok brother...What's the word on the PH?

No nerve damage or broken bones but major surgery to repair ligaments. He is still in the hospital but in good spirits and will go home soon. They are watching carefully for infection. I'm in JNB headed home.

 

[Philip Glass]

What is the status on Scott at this point? I'm guessing the wounds were fairly serious, but being that he's standing with you in that one pic, not too awful. Is this a case where the DSC Foundation could contribute to medical bills?

Yes I hope so we will see when I get home if DSC or SCI can help out

 

[Philip Glass]

Holly crap!!!!! What a story. I hate it that the PH was hurt and I will certainly have him in my prayers. What an experience though. I'd bet you'll never forget it.
Two thoughts:
1) your PH was a freaking hero
2) you are a freaking hero

I'd hunt stuff that bites with either of you any day. Well done!

Gizmo
Yes we stood shoulder to shoulder as this happened. But he is the hero in my mind. A real professional.

 

[Philip Glass]

Actual video of Phillip and his PH right after the final shot put down the cat.......

Very good thanks!

 

[Philip Glass]

Awesome story and great job by both of you guys. Hope the PH heals well and quickly.
I think we all like the notion that we would have the nerve to stay put and react like you did but you never know until the moment arrives. I say both you and the PH did exactly what you should have the way things unfolded. You both must have a large set is all I can say.

Thanks much!

 

[cpr0312]

No nerve damage or broken bones but major surgery to repair ligaments. He is still in the hospital but in good spirits and will go home soon

Good news! Safe travels home!

 

[Royal27]

Yes I hope so we will see when I get home if DSC or SCI can help out

I would think that Scott would qualify at least for DSC Frontline. I asked them what the rules were after another recent incidence and they are as follows:

1. Injury or death occurs in the course of providing profession hunting services or anti-poaching services
2. Injured or deceased was a member of his/her country's professional hunting association or employed by a member at the time of injury/death

Number one is obvious, so as long as number two is covered....