The Child Eater Of Terai

[Mort Hill]

Bravo! Another wonderful read, and thanks to all the contributors for additional questions and for the Major’s insightful responses.

 

[Newboomer]

Another exciting account. Anxiously awaiting the story of the panther in the hole with you.

 

[PARA45]

Maj Khan another fascinating and nail biting story, thank you again for sharing this story with us.

 

[perttime]

...
In 1968 ... I personally experienced 1 VERY BAD DAY when EVERYTHING went wrong . The man eating forest panther actually FELL RIGHT IN TO the hole , which I was using as a hiding spot .
...

That sounds like a story worth telling! It is fortunate that we know you are still among the living.
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I was curious about what kind of a cat this clouded leapard is. Wikipedia has a little on it:
"The clouded leopard is considered to form an evolutionary link between the Pantherinae and the Felinae. It is the smallest of the pantherine cats, but despite its name, it is not closely related to the leopard"

Apparently, they are exceptionally agile maneuvering in trees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard

The name used in the Finnish Wikipedia article translates as "tree leopard" which fits its tree climbing skills. It is mentioned that, with its very long canines, it resembles the ancient sabre-tooth cats, and might be their closest surviving relative.

 

[Major Khan]

Dear Mr. Major Khan,
Thank you very much for sharing this fascinating story. Congratulations on the tactic and achievement. Is so rewarding to me to read your articles, so fine written. Please carry on writting and sharing more of your memories.
Best regards

An author is only as good , as his readers. give him credit for . Thank you so much for enjoying my article , Malambo . I feel privileged .

 

[Major Khan]

Poton, sometime in the near future I'd like to read the story of Antora's leopard hunt from beginning to end. From what I have learned about her she wasn't a woman to let the guys get one up on her.

Consider it done , Shootist43 . Antora was a very adventurous and sporty girl . I loved her and treated her like my own little sister .

 

[Major Khan]

Wikipedia says they average 25-51 lbs so this was indeed a large one. Congrats on making a plan and successfully killing that cat. Very pretty hide and I'm sure you are happy to have it. Great story as always.
Bruce

Thank you so much for your kind words , Bruce . I am much inclined to agree with you . The skins of clouded leopards are unrivalled in beauty . In West Bengal , an average clouded leopard weighs 46 to 48 pounds . Considering that this was the largest ( 4 feet 5 inches ) and the heaviest ( 52 pounds ) clouded leopard which I have ever had the privilege of shooting ... I do consider it to be a note worthy personal accomplishment !

 

[Major Khan]

Bravo! Another wonderful read, and thanks to all the contributors for additional questions and for the Major’s insightful responses.

It is my utmost privilege that you have enjoyed my latest article , Mort Hill . Thank you you so much for being such an ardent fan of my reminiscences .

 

[Major Khan]

Another exciting account. Anxiously awaiting the story of the panther in the hole with you.

Consider it done , New Boomer . I shall commence putting that reminiscence to paper from tomorrow , hopefully .

 

[Major Khan]

Maj Khan another fascinating and nail biting story, thank you again for sharing this story with us.

Thank you so much for being such an avid fan of my reminiscences , PARA45 .
I feel most privileged to know that other sports men from all around the world appreciate my writing .

 

[Major Khan]

That sounds like a story worth telling! It is fortunate that we know you are still among the living.
----------------------------------

I was curious about what kind of a cat this clouded leapard is. Wikipedia has a little on it:
"The clouded leopard is considered to form an evolutionary link between the Pantherinae and the Felinae. It is the smallest of the pantherine cats, but despite its name, it is not closely related to the leopard"

Apparently, they are exceptionally agile maneuvering in trees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard

The name used in the Finnish Wikipedia article translates as "tree leopard" which fits its tree climbing skills. It is mentioned that, with its very long canines, it resembles the ancient sabre-tooth cats, and might be their closest surviving relative.

Consider it done , Pert Time. I shall commence putting it to paper from tomorrow .

 

[Panther Shooter]

I actually forgot what the local name for these brutes was in West Bengal , Panther Shooter . Thank you so much for reminding me that the appropriate word is " Baagh Dhasha " .
Kareem and Amira are correct about Antora . However , this statement needs to be expanded upon , a little bit . Yes , Antora used her father's BRNO Model ZP 149 side by side shot gun to kill a " Baagh Dhasha " . It was of 12 Bore calibre , with 2.75 inch chambers , automatic ejectors and 28 inches long barrels ( A fully choked left and an improved modified choked right . ) . And she did kill it with a 2.75 inch AAA cartridge at extremely close range ( 5 paces . ) . However , she was not using British AAA cartridges . She was using American AAA cartridges . American AAA is considerably larger in pellet size , than British AAA . The cartridge was a Winchester " Super X " which held 34 copper plated pellets in it .
Antora preferred not to use LG cartridges , because the American AAA cartridges had more pellets in it . The whole idea was to get a spread when Kawshik's Nepalese gun bearer conducted a beat in order to drive the " Baagh Dhasha " towards Antora . Also , fully choked ( fixed choke ) shot gun barrels are more likely to bulge , if LG cartridges are fired through them .
I was backing her up with my " Old Belgian " , which was loaded with my hand loaded Eley 3 inch Alphamax magnum " High Brass " spherical ball cartridges that day ... in case anything went awry .

Major
Those American AAA buckshot cartridges sound like Winchester “ Super X “ 2 3/4 inch No. 4 Magnum Buckshot cartridges . Winchester used to “ copper plate “ their buckshot pellets with a compound known as “ Luballoy” back in those days.

 

[Major Khan]

Major
Those American AAA buckshot cartridges sound like Winchester “ Super X “ 2 3/4 inch No. 4 Magnum Buckshot cartridges . Winchester used to “ copper plate “ their buckshot pellets with a compound known as “ Luballoy” back in those days.

Why yes , Panther Shooter ! That is the 1 .

 

[1dirthawker]

Of course , nowadays I look back at that incident and I laugh . However , it was a fairly hair raising experience at the time .

Major,

like most near death experiences, it becomes funny later. i suspect "fairly hair raising" is likely the understatement of the decade!

great story, thank you

 

[Major Khan]

Major,

like most near death experiences, it becomes funny later. i suspect "fairly hair raising" is likely the understatement of the decade!

great story, thank you

Well , 1dirthawker .... to be very honest , it felt a little like being in the horror house attraction of an amusement park where the ghost suddenly pops up right in front of you . The brute fell about 1 feet away from me , when I was hiding inside that hole. I was planning on ambushing him ... but he accidentally ended up ambushing me ! I shall relate this incident tomorrow , in my next article for African Hunting Forums .

 

[cls]

Thanks again for another fascinating story.

 

[Major Khan]

Thanks again for another fascinating story.

It is my utmost privilege that you have enjoyed it , cls.

 

[Newboomer]

Amazing how so small an animal could do so much damage.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

An author is only as good , as his readers. give him credit for . Thank you so much for enjoying my article , Malambo . I feel privileged .

Friend Ponton
It is us who are privileged to have a man with the experiences you have had to be so generous with his time to relay tose times with other people in such eloquent writing that keeps us wanting more.
I appreciate the effort you put into your writing as it keeps me wanting more. Have you had your book published yet my friend.
Cheers my Friend
Bob Nelson

 

[Scrumbag]

Major Khan, a very enjoyable read as always! Please keep your stories coming

Scrummy