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

Green Chile said:

Yes that’s quite different and not what I would be interested in. Gavin at Panther Trackers is only cutting dogs loose on good male tracks. They are bayed up and taken while the dogs try to hold them. If the cat gets away then they continue chasing it to get another opportunity. Gavin hunts 2 main areas…one is 800k acres of miombo woodlands…the other, which I am hunting, is 240,000 acres of coastal forest just south of Zambezi Delta and connected to Coutada 11 and 12 and Gorongoza national park. These are prime hunting blocks, well known in the industry. You can also get 6 of the Tiny 10 there along with good buff, sable, etc.

Click to expand...

The Coastal Areas Panther Trackers hunts is close to Coutada 11. Unless something has changed, Gavin and Panther Trackers buys Mashabanzou’s permits and would be the outfitter/hunt mentioned earlier by @Red Leg. You’ll likely stay in their Caputo Camp and hunt from there. Unless they hunt them differently than at C11, your hound hunt will mostly be at night because of the tsetse flies. They’ll have the dogs in kennels covered by black cloth (almost like what you’d see on the side of a construction site or dig during the day. They use it to keep the flies out off them. I looked into this hunt but Gavin was booked out several years in advance.

If @Rare Breed is looking at a hunt with Tsala using Panther Trackers, they’ll likely be hunting up near the Lucia block or around Tete. I think both hunt areas up there near each other.

I'm not sure where the quota comes from. I know they only use 2 leopard permits for this camp I'm staying in, which is called Muanza Camp. I believe the other hunt block has more leopard permits and it is almost 2x the size. I don't know how many cat permits Gavin has access to but he is busy between all of the DG and PG on offer.

Green Chile said:

I'm not sure where the quota comes from. I know they only use 2 leopard permits for this camp I'm staying in, which is called Muanza Camp. I believe the other hunt block has more leopard permits and it is almost 2x the size. I don't know how many cat permits Gavin has access to but he is busy between all of the DG and PG on offer.

Click to expand...

Muanza is south of Caputo. I believe it’s about 2 hours driving. Other side of the hunting area. Muanza borders the park if I remember what Richard told me. You’re definitely hunting the Mashabanzou Camps. They only get 2 permits for that area and Gavin buys both.

dchum said:

I really just think a few years of saving and recouping, then going to a true prime wilderness area in Zambia or even Zimbabwe and booking prime dates, would be my course of action if I were in the OP’s shoes.

I remember reading a report on here from a gentleman hunting with Panther Trackers. They never even cut a track, so he ended pivoting and just shooting two massive crocs since they were near Cahora Bassa.
From the report
"I have to say the leopard portion of the hunt was a real disappointment; but the croc is not something I'll forget."

A prime GMA in Zambia will be a truly high percentage hunt. No fluff...
I think it would be worth a few years of saving to do it right.

Click to expand...

I remember that report as well! I do believe though they offered him to come back for maybe just the cost of the trophy fee? Not sure on that but still a lot of money just in travel.

I have a question just for general education as I know really nothing about leopard hunts. I’ve listened to two different podcasts with Tanya Blake and she pretty much only specializes in leopards. Why do you never see her getting recommended? Is it because not a lot of people are familiar with her or because of the cost?

404Pruitt said:

Why do you never see her getting recommended? Is it because not a lot of people are familiar with her or because of the cost?

Click to expand...

My general comment is that on the forum at least 90% reccomendations come for outfitters who are members and sponsors here. And they are most active here, with clients who are members here.

For other outfitters procedure is to contact them and ask for references. I dont see a problem, asking Tanya Blake the same

mark-hunter said:

My general comment is that on the forum at least 90% reccomendations come for outfitters who are members and sponsors here. And they are most active here, with clients who are members here.

For other outfitters procedure is to contact them and ask for references. I dont see a problem, asking Tanya Blake the same

Click to expand...

Slightly off topic, but I have been curious about it lately. What are the actual rules regarding sponsors/Non-Sponsors?

I have avoided talking about non-sponsors in the past and people have said, "no, go for it, it doesn't break any forum rules".

However, I have seen others, I believe @Scott CWO mention he has been told not to recommend non-sponsors.

I have done searches for the forum rules. But I seem to mostly come up with rules for classifieds section and a couple others.

Could you or someone else post a link to the main forum rules, especially somewhere that talks about sponsor vs. Non-sponsor chatter?

Sabre said:

Slightly off topic, but I have been curious about it lately. What are the actual rules regarding sponsors/Non-Sponsors?

I have avoided talking about non-sponsors in the past and people have said, "no, go for it, it doesn't break any forum rules".

Click to expand...

I made three hunt reports with outfitters non sponsors here.
Other forum members did that as well.
I have seen several reccomendations for non sponsors here, by forum members.

Non sponsors are not supposed to advertise on forum.
I think that putting links on non sponsors web sites is not allowed, so I do not do it in public posts.

Non sponsors aren't supposed to advertise, but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of great outfitters that stay away from this forum. I'd argue some of the best known outfits don't bother with this place because they don't need to. They have premium hunting areas and decades of repeat clients keeping them booked. They have no reason to pay to be a sponsor or even be a member here.

My understand is non sponsors can’t advertise but forum members ca freely review non sponsor hunt’s and recommend them. It would be a pretty sad forum if we could all only talk about hunts taken with sponsors.

Sabre said:

Slightly off topic, but I have been curious about it lately. What are the actual rules regarding sponsors/Non-Sponsors?

I have avoided talking about non-sponsors in the past and people have said, "no, go for it, it doesn't break any forum rules".

However, I have seen others, I believe @Scott CWO mention he has been told not to recommend non-sponsors.

I have done searches for the forum rules. But I seem to mostly come up with rules for classifieds section and a couple others.

Could you or someone else post a link to the main forum rules, especially somewhere that talks about sponsor vs. Non-sponsor chatter?

Click to expand...

You can discuss non-sponsors. I’d have been banned long ago if that wasn’t the case. However, I’m sure there’s a limit. Keep it to your experience with that outfitter. Don’t try and post offers or successful hunts of other hunters for them.

404Pruitt said:

I have a question just for general education as I know really nothing about leopard hunts. I’ve listened to two different podcasts with Tanya Blake and she pretty much only specializes in leopards. Why do you never see her getting recommended? Is it because not a lot of people are familiar with her or because of the cost?

Click to expand...

I would know very little about her if it wasn’t for those podcasts. She apparently has a very good area and reputation for cats, but it isn’t cheap. I’m not sure what I’d think about doing a 14 day safari with a woman PH. I think some of the comradery would be missing. I’m sure that’s part of reason you don’t see recommendations.

"comradery missing" is proper word.

mark-hunter said:

I made three hunt reports with outfitters non sponsors here.
Other forum members did that as well.
I have seen several reccomendations for non sponsors here, by forum members.

Non sponsors are not supposed to advertise on forum.
I think that putting links on non sponsors web sites is not allowed, so I do not do it in public posts.

Click to expand...

I have never seen anything written about rules in outfitters. My POV is I mention them only in my hunt reports if I have hunted with a non sponsor given our members enjoy hunt reports. As a courtesy I do not post any inks about a non sponsor. Just me. However, I believe CMS is not a sponsor and as a member and how much I respect Buzz I have greatly appreciated many members who have hunted with them recommending them. Again, just me

404Pruitt said:

I have a question just for general education as I know really nothing about leopard hunts. I’ve listened to two different podcasts with Tanya Blake and she pretty much only specializes in leopards. Why do you never see her getting recommended? Is it because not a lot of people are familiar with her or because of the cost?

Click to expand...

If it wasn’t for those podcasts would you even know her name? Do you know how long she’s been an PH or how many Leopards she’s killed as an PH? How many does she hunt a year? Anyone can be on a podcast or have a podcast, doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. Additionally is being on a podcast a great way to market? Could someone potentially pay to be on a podcast (i mean they’re selling ad space right). Not saying any of the above apply to her or those podcasts but podcasts are another form of marketing and one has to be careful to not drink the cool aide.

That said, she definitely does enjoy cat hunting, given her age, length of time she’s PH’d and number of leopards killed; I personally wouldn’t call her a “cat specialist” yet.

Little anecdote On my leopard hunt earlier this year one of the areas we were baiting was a block next to her hunting area. My PH used to hunt the area, was friendly with her and had even helped her recover several wounded leopards, as well as close the deal on a couple of tricky cats over the last few seasons. When I landed, we knew she’d had a good male on bait (one of his old bait sites not too far from the boundary). I forget how many days she had the cat on bait but for one reason or another they never killed it and ultimately the hunter went home empty handed. I think it was on bait for 6 total nights up until the full moon.

Not saying it was her fault or the hunters as I don’t know what happened but IMO if the target cat feeds when you’re in the blind, there’s zero reason to at least not get a shot.
A good cat PH knows how the leopard will approach and climb into the tree. They block/position the bait forcing the Leopard to feed in a specific spot and in a specific position presenting a shot to the blind. They’ve already got a primary and secondary blind site picked out that will help minimize scent for the prevailing winds, but also provide and quiet entrance and exit. The rifle is in the blind and completely secured so the hunter only needs to slide their shoulder behind it, look through the scope (cat should be positioned perfectly already), flip the safety and pull the trigger. MAYBE slightly adjust the rifle a couple inches in any direction to pick their rosette, squeeze and fire.

Sabre said:

Slightly off topic, but I have been curious about it lately. What are the actual rules regarding sponsors/Non-Sponsors?

I have avoided talking about non-sponsors in the past and people have said, "no, go for it, it doesn't break any forum rules".

However, I have seen others, I believe @Scott CWO mention he has been told not to recommend non-sponsors.

I have done searches for the forum rules. But I seem to mostly come up with rules for classifieds section and a couple others.

Could you or someone else post a link to the main forum rules, especially somewhere that talks about sponsor vs. Non-sponsor chatter?

Click to expand...

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but my understanding is

@Scott CWO is an outfitter/guide himself. Guides and Outfitters have different rules they need to abide by than regular forum members. Unfortunately by the rules guides and outfitters can’t recommend other non sponsored guides or outfitters, the most they can do is post a hunt report.

Mtn_Infantry said:

The rifle is in the blind and completely secured so the hunter only needs to slide their shoulder behind it, look through the scope (cat should be positioned perfectly already), flip the safety and pull the trigger. As I learned, don’t mess with your scope’s magnification setting to then need to dial up and focus on a rosette. Your PH is going to wonder what’s taking so long, why you haven’t shot, and take his fingers out of his ears to ask right as you stop fiddling and pull the trigger.

Click to expand...

Some PHs take that one small step further by having the rifle secured and OFF safety. They don't want the small metallic sound of the safety catch. I've experienced that personally. It's a different vibe of that gun is ready to go and don't move it or touch anything! Of course, the magnification is set, reticle is lighted if possible, etc. You don't change anything. You control EVERY variable you can and script it as much as possible. That's what separates the specialist from just any other PH. They have controlled each and every variable and they are micro-managers of it all.

Green Chile said:

Some PHs take that one small step further by having the rifle secured and OFF safety. They don't want the small metallic sound of the safety catch. I've experienced that personally. It's a different vibe of that gun is ready to go and don't move it or touch anything! Of course, the magnification is set, reticle is lighted if possible, etc. You don't change anything. You control EVERY variable you can and script it as much as possible. That's what separates the specialist from just any other PH. They have controlled each and every variable and they are micro-managers of it all.

Click to expand...

You’re Leopard PH that hunt is VERY highly regarded.

I learned on my hunt not to adjust the scopes magnification. I’d dialed it all the way down to see the entire hole in the bait tree and back to the trunk. From the tail cameras we knew my target cat would sometimes climb into the tree and lay on a branch near the trunk a bit watching the bait and area before heading to the bait. We also knew he’d circle and sniff the blind, and climb a tree near the blind.

Being daylight id backed my scope all the way down to 2x. Fire Dot was on, but was adjusted for 1230pm then 330pm. I hadn’t adjusted again or dared to move since hearing the cat around 4pm do his sniff and tree climb like the day prior. He climbed into the bait tree at 525 and went straight to the bait. Result was the PH saying shoot, me needing to l adjust the illumination down because it was set for earlier in the day, and me adjusting the magnification up slightly to 6x to pick one spot. PH took his fingers out of his ear to ask why I hadn’t shot and that’s about when I squeezed the trigger.

Green Chile said:

Some PHs take that one small step further by having the rifle secured and OFF safety. They don't want the small metallic sound of the safety catch. I've experienced that personally. It's a different vibe of that gun is ready to go and don't move it or touch anything! Of course, the magnification is set, reticle is lighted if possible, etc. You don't change anything. You control EVERY variable you can and script it as much as possible. That's what separates the specialist from just any other PH. They have controlled each and every variable and they are micro-managers of it all.

Click to expand...

This perfectly describes what Divan did with me...I would have had to only pull the trigger.

Mtn_Infantry said:

The Coastal Areas Panther Trackers hunts is close to Coutada 11. Unless something has changed, Gavin and Panther Trackers buys Mashabanzou’s permits and would be the outfitter/hunt mentioned earlier by @Red Leg. You’ll likely stay in their Caputo Camp and hunt from there. Unless they hunt them differently than at C11, your hound hunt will mostly be at night because of the tsetse flies. They’ll have the dogs in kennels covered by black cloth (almost like what you’d see on the side of a construction site or dig during the day. They use it to keep the flies out off them. I looked into this hunt but Gavin was booked out several years in advance.

If @Rare Breed is looking at a hunt with Tsala using Panther Trackers, they’ll likely be hunting up near the Lucia block or around Tete. I think both hunt areas up there near each other.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Mnt_Infantry. Just to clarify the arrangement from Tsala’s side, we have reached an agreement with Gavin from Panther Trackers to hunt our leopard tags in our southern Mozambique area.

Gavin is a highly experienced leopard specialist and brings his own hounds and specialist knowledge to these hunts. We believe that involving someone who focuses specifically on leopard offers greater value to our clients and gives them the strongest possible opportunity for success.

At Tsala, our primary expertise lies in buffalo and elephant hunting. Every species presents its own unique challenges, and we believe in bringing together the right people, experience and tactics for each hunt , always with the client’s best interests at heart.

Gavin has already done extensive work in our area, which shares an unfenced boundary with Gonarezhou National Park. He feels strongly that the area holds the potential to produce quality leopards when hunted with the correct strategy and hound team. As with any free-range leopard hunt, success can never be guaranteed, but our goal is to provide the best possible opportunity.

The leopard hunts will still be based from our camp, and the Tsala team will remain actively involved throughout. Clients can expect the same warm Tsala hospitality, our trackers, local knowledge and a complete team effort , combined with Gavin’s specialist leopard and hound experience.

We genuinely believe this arrangement brings together the strengths of both teams and will ultimately provide the greatest benefit to our and Panther Trackers leopard clients.