How does pricing work for leopard bait?

[Russ16]

I’ve seen some articles and videos of leopard hunts where they are shooting animals for bait. They seem to be shooting what would be non-trophy animals. Cow buffalo and the like.

M question is when shooting for bait are you generally paying full trophy prices or is there some kind of discount? I’m referring to wild Africa a few teas like Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The reason I’m asking is I’m doing my first safari in August for Buffalo in Zimbabwe. My brother is coming with me. My other brother isn’t in a position to pay for a safari and I’d like to do a trip with him in the future. But footing the bill for him entirely is a lot. One thing I thought was maybe if I did a leopard hunt he could come along and shoot the bait and maybe that would be a little cheaper. I could include one or two reasonable trophy animals. But he like get the trip experience and some shooting.

Does that make sense or would it not really save any money. I’d really like to get him over there but the tab for a double safari is a bit steep.

I know we could do South Africa plans game for cheaper and that’s an option but much less appealing to me at this point.

Thanks.

 

[Doug3006]

Bait pricing varies by country and outfitter. Most outfitters charge full price for bait animals, so it’s usually more economical to target animals like female Impala that are relatively inexpensive. Another strategy is to shoot a single animal, like a hippo, and get a LOT of bait for the dollar. So be sure to understand how a prospective outfitter handles baits before booking.

 

[375Fox]

Unless they have a lot of impala on quota, usually you are paying full price. Unfortunately it’s the same limited quota whether it’s shot as a trophy or for bait. Many concession areas will have more buffalo on quota than species like zebra or kudu.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I hunted leopard with Nick Nolte in Namibia earlier this year and he is somewhat unique in not charging for bait animals. Nick uses PG shot by other hunters in camp as bait animals. So he’s getting full price for the bait animals, but the PG hunters and not the leopard hunter is paying for it. Ideally, shooting inexpensive warthogs would be the cheapest bait animals but they are getting scarce due to the persistent drought.

A type of hunt you might look into for you and your brother is some sort of cull hunt.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Also, time of year is important. More bait is needed to keep locations fresh during the hotter months.
I would recommend to not pass off all bait collection to your brother. It’s a great ice breaker and a way to settle nerves, ensure your shooting is up to par before the Big Show.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

I’ve seen some articles and videos of leopard hunts where they are shooting animals for bait. They seem to be shooting what would be non-trophy animals. Cow buffalo and the like.

M question is when shooting for bait are you generally paying full trophy prices or is there some kind of discount? I’m referring to wild Africa a few teas like Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The reason I’m asking is I’m doing my first safari in August for Buffalo in Zimbabwe. My brother is coming with me. My other brother isn’t in a position to pay for a safari and I’d like to do a trip with him in the future. But footing the bill for him entirely is a lot. One thing I thought was maybe if I did a leopard hunt he could come along and shoot the bait and maybe that would be a little cheaper. I could include one or two reasonable trophy animals. But he like get the trip experience and some shooting.

Does that make sense or would it not really save any money. I’d really like to get him over there but the tab for a double safari is a bit steep.

I know we could do South Africa plans game for cheaper and that’s an option but much less appealing to me at this point.

Thanks.

Russ, in many Zimbabwe and Mozambique areas the limiting factor is government-issued quota. If an animal comes off a regulated concession quota, you will pay the full trophy fee because that animal represents part of the annual offtake/business revenue.

Where operators are hunting on private land with self-nominated offtake, bait animals can be significantly cheaper, because they are not tied to a fixed state quota. That is why you see such a range in cost structures across Africa.

From a practical standpoint, relying on one big buffalo, or similar, for a 2-week leopard safari is risky. In certain climates meat spoils fast, especially late season. Several smaller animals often maintain better bait rotation and give you more stability through the hunt.

Your idea of letting your brother shoot the bait is completely feasible and actually a smart way to support a dual safari without doubling your cost. In government concessions he will still need a basic hunting licence, but many operators will charge him the observer rate rather than full Plains Game day rates if the leopard is the primary objective.

 

[coreydb]

Why not instead, hunt a plains game package. They're inexpensive and it includes 4-6 trophy animals.

 

[375Fox]

Why not instead, hunt a plains game package. They're inexpensive and it includes 4-6 trophy animals.

Plains game packages generally aren’t offered where you’ll hunt Leopard. There are no leopard permits in South Africa.

 

[Doug3006]

Plains game packages generally aren’t offered where you’ll hunt Leopard. There are no leopard permits in South Africa.

But there are in Namibia. Plains game packages and leopards.

 

[375Fox]

But there are in Namibia. Plains game packages and leopards.

True but OP asked about wild areas in Zimbabwe and Mozambique not private ranches in Namibia.

 

[Russ16]

Plaims game is certainly an option but I’m not terribly interested in a plains game only hunt and would like to find the most economical way to take him along. He could come on a Buffalo hunt and take a few plains game but that’s kind of tow different hunts.

I’m thinking despite to cost if I decide to go for a leapord I’m going to have to pay for the bait maybe I can bring him along. It would just be the additional daily rate. But maybe that’s worth it to give him the experience.

 

[revturbo9967]

My ph in Zim has told me bait is full price.

 

[Rare Breed]

The correct answer is it varies. In some like a very well known Namibia outfitter there is no charge for bait. In others it is full trophy prices. In my own personal experience and research it seems to be half the published trophy costs per animal. On my second try for mine in 27 the latter is what I will experience in addition to prebaiting

 

[SBW1975]

You can buy donkeys in the villages in Zim for a $100-$150 bucks. This is the least expensive option if it is not free. My pre bait was two or three donkeys.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve seen some articles and videos of leopard hunts where they are shooting animals for bait. They seem to be shooting what would be non-trophy animals. Cow buffalo and the like.

M question is when shooting for bait are you generally paying full trophy prices or is there some kind of discount? I’m referring to wild Africa a few teas like Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The reason I’m asking is I’m doing my first safari in August for Buffalo in Zimbabwe. My brother is coming with me. My other brother isn’t in a position to pay for a safari and I’d like to do a trip with him in the future. But footing the bill for him entirely is a lot. One thing I thought was maybe if I did a leopard hunt he could come along and shoot the bait and maybe that would be a little cheaper. I could include one or two reasonable trophy animals. But he like get the trip experience and some shooting.

Does that make sense or would it not really save any money. I’d really like to get him over there but the tab for a double safari is a bit steep.

I know we could do South Africa plans game for cheaper and that’s an option but much less appealing to me at this point.

Thanks.

It really depends on the outfitter and the area. If you’re hunting a wild area like Zim or Moz expect full price unless they have a community quota or you’re hunting private land that establishes their own quota/off take. Some outfitters will also give leopard hunters first crack at reserving a buffalo or hippo. I know of an outfitter that only gets 2 or 3 Leopard permits and he typically gets the same number of hippo permits, his cat hunters have first crack that the hippo for bait.

Time of the year is very important. Hotter months bait spoils faster, and “natural bait” is easier for the cats to target. Sometimes you can get a deal on bait animals at the end of the season on left over quota but it’s significantly hotter so they’ll go off quicker and need replenishing every couple days.

Places like the BVC, Save, and Nuanetsi sometimes have non trophy or female animals to take for their management plans and will offer discounts on them for use as bait animals but they’re often times charging a more premium rate since the conservancy is privately owned and managed differently.

There are outfitters that include bait in their package like Tanzania (Leopard, Buffalo, & Hippo package), or Namibia but you might need to shoot more.

 

[Scott CWO]

While leopards will eat several different species, impala are their mainstay in most areas so a lot of PHs like you to shoot lots of impala if they have enough on quota. Buffalo can be divided into four quarters plus two rib and spine sections to make six baits, unless the camp needs meat. Lions love hippo so I’m not sure if it is used much for leopard bait.

Regular and companion licenses are very expensive in Tanzania so that’s out. Last I hunted Zambia, companion licenses were only $650 and the leopards are large and plentiful. Licenses in Zimbabwe and Mozambique are cheap as well so those are good options. In the Niassa Reserve in Moz, leopards are plentiful albeit smaller bodied than other places. I am not sure about Namibia licenses but Namibia can be tricky for leopard so choose an area there wisely.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Russ16
Leopard is a hunt not guaranteed, and it will be on DG day rate.

Your brother shooting bait is good idea, but keep in mind leopard does not need to come at bait, or at least not a shootable male. (dont ask me how I know)
This was discussed on another thread i started on leopards.

Thread 'Leopard hunting: bait vs hounds'

Sep 21, 2025

I am not hunting leopard yet!
This is just for my education, To be considered for some of my future hunts.

You guys who hunted leopard, can you tell me pros and cons of hunting leopard on bait, versus hunting leopard with hounds?

Success rate one vs another?

What is the package price difference one vs another?

Any legal constraints in some countries for these two types of hunt?

Timing? Days to be booked for leopard on bait, vs leopard hunt with hounds? (Most baited leopard packages are 2 weeks, that I have seen, what about hunting with dogs?)

Anything else that you can think of about...

• mark-hunter
• Replies: 76
• Forum: Hunting Africa

• 

So, yes, idea is feasible, but in order to make the best out of it, on DG day rate, plan for: buffalo + leopard, plus bait. If leopard does not come out, at least buffalo will pay off for DG day rate.

The formula for success on DG day rate for this question:

Buffalo + Leopard + plains game = success (all collected)
Buffalo + Plains game = success. (leopard not collected)
No buffalo, no leopard, only plains game collected = ??? (how shall we call it?)