Leopard Bowhunt

[Mtn_Infantry]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on outfitters for leopard with a bow?

Might take the family along as well if possible for some plains game. Thanks

If a Leopard with a Bow is your Goal I’d seek out experienced Bowhunting PH’s. Someone like Strang Middleton comes to mind.

Many PH’s have guided bow hunters, but there are only a few (outside of South Africa PG/Buffalo PH’s) who are primarily Bowhunting specialists. They are bowhunters themselves first and foremost but also mainly guide bowhunters.The number of Leopards, Lions, Elephants, Hippos, and Crocs Strang successfully guided Bowhunting clients to rivals many other well known Zim, or Zambian PH’s and would astonish most. His past client list includes multiple Weatherby and Ashby recipients.

I’ve hunted mountain lion over hounds and would again with a bow, but wouldn’t hunt a leopard over hounds with a bow. Over bait, 100% but absolutely not with hounds. That cat is coming for someone once bayed up by the dogs, and after being stuck by an arrow it’s now a wounded ball of razor blades that’s more pissed off than it initially was.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

I have had sufficient exposure to this to speak from experience rather than theory.

Bowhunting a treed leopard is an effective method when executed correctly. In my experience, a well-placed arrow does not produce the hydrostatic shock associated with a rifle shot, and as a result does not typically force the cat out of the tree. Instead, correct broadhead placement results in a rapid loss of blood pressure and the leopard usually expires in the tree and falls out stone dead shortly thereafter.
However, a marginal shot placement can result in the need for a rifle follow up shot.
We are more conscious of the risk to the hounds (a protruding broadhead presents a hazard that must be swiftly managed when the cat falls to the ground), than anxious about an arrow shot cat.

Personally, I am comfortable with the arrow on a treed leopard when the hunter is experienced, calm under pressure, and demonstrably proficient on live-animal angles at distances up to approximately 50 m.

Competent judgement of angle, posture, and potential deflection is essential.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......
Bowhunting ......... Instead, correct broadhead placement results in a rapid loss of blood pressure and the leopard usually expires in the tree and falls out stone dead shortly thereafter.
..........

That is precisely what happened with my Caracal. Shot perfectly through the heart with a broad head.

The Dog handler was nervous because he had seen too many jump out of the tree after crappy shots from bow hunters and proceed to chew his dogs up. I can only imagine a Leopard in the same circumstances.

 

[Frank Cavallo]

I’m going in April for leopard in southern Zim. Forgot the name of the place (not good with African names). Going with Butch Coaton. He’s done over 100 leopards and a bow hunter. All I know is there’s “plenty of big cats” and a “good area.” All I know is he’s really excited where we’re going. Flying into Bulawayo on 4/15.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I have had sufficient exposure to this to speak from experience rather than theory.

Bowhunting a treed leopard is an effective method when executed correctly. In my experience, a well-placed arrow does not produce the hydrostatic shock associated with a rifle shot, and as a result does not typically force the cat out of the tree. Instead, correct broadhead placement results in a rapid loss of blood pressure and the leopard usually expires in the tree and falls out stone dead shortly thereafter.
However, a marginal shot placement can result in the need for a rifle follow up shot.
We are more conscious of the risk to the hounds (a protruding broadhead presents a hazard that must be swiftly managed when the cat falls to the ground), than anxious about an arrow shot cat.

Personally, I am comfortable with the arrow on a treed leopard when the hunter is experienced, calm under pressure, and demonstrably proficient on live-animal angles at distances up to approximately 50 m.

Competent judgement of angle, posture, and potential deflection is essential.

You bring up an interesting point. A treed leopard is different than a Leopard bayed up in rocks or otherwise on the ground. Where I’d prefer to hound hunt a leopard, many of the Toms don’t tree so Id rule out a bow hunt for one there.

What percentage of the Leopards you chase tree vs bay-up on the ground? Whats your avg size Leopard, and have you noticed the bigger Toms have a tendency not to tree?

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

It is roughly a 50/50 split between tree and bay-up, but habitat does impact that.

There does not seem to be a correlation between size and attitude at all. The biggest cat my hounds ever treed went up a fairly skinny Knob Thorn acaia ( Senegalia nigrescens ), which would not have been a pleasant climb...

 

[Killo]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on outfitters for leopard with a bow?

Might take the family along as well if possible for some plains game. Thanks

A Friend of mine Hunted a Leopard with his Bow, Cliff Walker as PH
Humani, Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe 2023
( Recurve Bow )

 

[Adipose]

To me this is one of the ultimate hunts. I have not done it yet, but it is very high on my list. Don't give up on your dream, no matter what anyone says, it can be done, it has been done and you can do it! I believe to be fair to the leopard and to the PH that is putting in all the work, we as bowhunters need to be on point with our equipment and shooting abilities. Lots of practice at night shooting is a big thing. This past year I was on a night stand for Bushpig and we just so happened to have a big leopard come in. That outline was amazing and I remember that big tail and sagging belly. If it was legal, I certainly could have taken it with my bow. One day..