And So My Second Quest for Leopard to Complete My Big 5 Begins!!!!!

Red Leg said:
Known by whom? I think the best leopard PH, and likely the one with the highest success rate on the continent, is Nick Nolte. His primary hunting area is the Erongo Mountain area of central Namibia. And he has been doing it for nearly forty years. I suspect even Jamy would agree with that assessment. The area is thick with cats to which several contributors here can attest.

Obviously, there are also outfits with excellent records with leopards in other countries. Zim, Moz, Zambia, and Tanzania all have excellent reputations - if hunting with the right outfitter.

It is one reason that I always advise prospective leopard hunters that the most important consideration when it comes to leopards is the success rate of the operation. Rifles and scopes are great, but useless with the wrong outfitter regardless of which country.
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That’s fine, but you are using the exception (or perhaps the exceptional in Nick) as the rule…
Namibia as a rule has lower success and is generally reflected in prices. The Erongo mountains are I believe the best area as example. Nick has, I think, by far the best record I’m aware of. I thought about a hunt with Jamy as example, he is a great outfitter and super honest… most areas are 50/50…(one also must be wary of “success rates” being perhaps misrepresented…like we had 4 tags took 4 leopards…100%…but it took 8 hunters to take the 4 leopards…50%)
I think everything I said is true.
If leopard is someone’s primary target species… you don’t recommend Namibia at the top of the list as a destination generally as there are numerous areas with higher success.
 
kpoynter said:
That’s fine, but you are using the exception (or perhaps the exceptional in Nick) as the rule…
Namibia as a rule has lower success and is generally reflected in prices. The Erongo mountains are I believe the best area as example. Nick has, I think, by far the best record I’m aware of. I thought about a hunt with Jamy as example, he is a great outfitter and super honest… most areas are 50/50…(one also must be wary of “success rates” being perhaps misrepresented…like we had 4 tags took 4 leopards…100%…but it took 8 hunters to take the 4 leopards…50%)
I think everything I said is true.
If leopard is someone’s primary target species… you don’t recommend Namibia at the top of the list as a destination generally as there are numerous areas with higher success.
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Bingo! I absolutely am using the exception as a rule. My point is that it is irrelevant in which country one is hunting if you are trying to get a leopard with the wrong outfitter. FInding the right one, regardless whether that is in ZImbabwe, Tanzania, or Namibia is far more critical than any other aspect of the hunt.

Jamy is a great professional hunter. I killed my first buffalo with him around 2010 in the Caprivi. I would book another or an elephant or great PG safari with him tomorrow.

I have simply pointed out who represents, in my opinion, the highest rate of success - successful hunters and not filled tags - in Namibia. Those success rates will challenge anyone else in the business anywhere in Africa. I know Immenhof Safaris only by reputation, but they to have an exemplary record of success on leopards hunting the same general region of Namibia.

To more important matters and what should be the focus of this thread - @Rare Breed am really pulling for you. That is an outstanding animal.
 
Namibia does not require a Government Ranger to accompany a hunter like Zimbabwe does on a leopard hunt on private land.

Thus the actual legal hunting time is relative to “Africa Time” which we all know is subjective and capricious; things happen when they do at their own pace and not tied to some digital read out ;)


Hope to see your success.

My second leopard hunt was in Namibia and unfortunately unsuccessful due to a very clever cat that would always know we were hunting him, and then travel to a different bait further than we thought he would. (We tried sitting that one then he would switch. We did take one down but the habit was ingrained) Cattle cats can be big but hard to bait since the easy abundance of food
 
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wildwilderness said:
Namibia does not require a Government Ranger to accompany a hunter like Zimbabwe does on a leopard hunt on private land.

Thus the actual legal hunting time is relative to “Africa Time” which we all know is subjective and capricious; things happen when they do at their own pace and not tied to some digital read out ;)


Hope to see your success.

My second leopard hunt was in Namibia and unfortunately unsuccessful due to a very clever cat that would always know we were hunting him, and then travel to a different bait further than we thought he would. (We tried sitting that one then he would switch. We did take one down but the habit was ingrained) Cattle cats can be big but hard to bait since the easy abundance of food
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Even with a gov ranger present in lots of countries...
Things can get done in a way that suits the hunting party lol - as I am sure you know!

Nothing bad for wildlife of course, but exceptions are made.
Like TZ's silly rule of .375 minimum for leopard. and maybe the cat is in the tree a little early... all good!

Its still TIA!
 
Same thing goes for using a thermal to find a wounded cat at night in certain areas. You're not supposed to, but I don't think anyone will argue the method if they need to lead that search party.
 
Great hunt to follow along with. Anxiously awaiting the final words.

How did you like the Z5i in the twilight? Setting up a leopard gun for Zim in July and went with a Z6i 2-12x50. Going to do a little evening shooting when we get out the Pennsylvania next month to see how it shoots at twilight and with a spotlight (private land hunt in Zim).
 
Wow, great hunt!!! Unfortunately no cat… we just pulled out. Divan and his team could not have worked harder and I highly recommend both he and his team!!!!! As we all know this is why it is called hunting! Perseverance is so important to a hunter especially a leopard hunter. Unless you use hounds cats have to come to you unlike the other DG so I will be planning a third attempt not giving up on my vision of the big 5 with only my leopard remaining
 
Rare Breed said:
Wow, great hunt!!! Unfortunately no cat… we just pulled out. Divan and his team could not have worked harder and I highly recommend both he and his team!!!!! As we all know this is why it is called hunting! Perseverance is so important to a hunter especially a leopard hunter. Unless you use hounds cats have to come to you unlike the other DG so I will be planning a third attempt not giving up on my vision of the big 5 with only my leopard remaining
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A fine effort and a very good attitude. Better luck with round three.
 
Rare Breed said:
Wow, great hunt!!! Unfortunately no cat… we just pulled out. Divan and his team could not have worked harder and I highly recommend both he and his team!!!!! As we all know this is why it is called hunting! Perseverance is so important to a hunter especially a leopard hunter. Unless you use hounds cats have to come to you unlike the other DG so I will be planning a third attempt not giving up on my vision of the big 5 with only my leopard remaining
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Great attitude mate, it’s a shame you didn’t connect but that’s hunting. Third time will be the charm!
 
Glad you had a great hunt and unfortunate you weren’t able to get a cat this trip. Hopefully third time is a charm. I know several people who have had exactly that happen
 
Brandon.Gleason said:
Great hunt to follow along with. Anxiously awaiting the final words.

How did you like the Z5i in the twilight? Setting up a leopard gun for Zim in July and went with a Z6i 2-12x50. Going to do a little evening shooting when we get out the Pennsylvania next month to see how it shoots at twilight and with a spotlight (private land hunt in Zim).
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I use this for my stalking in the UK, which is heavily focussed on first and last light. You won’t be disappointed with it.
 
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