Leopard Hunting

[ar15meister]

I posted a while back about a leopard hunt. I have been doing one serious big game hunt a year (this is all my schedule will allow right now with my young family and business obligations). I have exclusively hunted the mountains for the past 10 years and really enjoyed that. I do still have lots of mountain hunting aspirations but this past hunt (Moose/Goat combo in Northern BC) I found myself thinking that I want to do another African hunt.

I am from Toronto Canada and I am 41. Been hunting for a long time (didn't grow up doing it) and have been to Africa once. Hunted some countries in Asia also.

I have thought about hunting Leopard for as long as I have thought about hunting. The only other African animal/hunt that interests me at this time is a Bongo. And Bongo it is more about the hunt and the difficulty than the animal being interesting to me (despite being so gorgeous).

I was wondering a few things.

1. Is there a "definitive treatise" or book (or books plural) about Leopard hunting? I would like to start to educate myself seriously about the subject.
2. I understand that Zimbabwe and Namibia are options and that Zambia and Tanzania are also premium priced options.
3. Are there any outfitters who are known specifically for skill and access in hunting leopards and or any specialists in this field? If so, who would they be? I realize they may be booked years out and would like to start the process of a potential booking.
4. Do experienced hunters recommend hunting with a outfit that utilizes dogs? What is the general feeling on this?
5. I am currently building a .270 Winchester model 70 with engraving and custom wood. It's essentially an homage to Jack O'Connor. I want to take it on a Leopard hunt. I understand that this is a smaller caliber to most but I don't like shooting big calibers (though I am able to). Is this foolhardy? Should I build a second gun for Leopard and plains game? I dont really want to. I can also bring my mountain gun which is chambered in 26 Nosler but I want to hunt Afirca with a wood stocked rifle and one that is special to me.

My experiences as a mountain hunter have given me insight into species specific and method specific outfitter specialization and different types of hunts and regions being very important when planning and as such I would like to try and get this leopard thing right the first time (thought I understand there have been many who have had to do a couple leopard hunts to get one). I have been on 2 Rocky bighorn hunts and not gotten one (including one back pack and one that was a 21 day horseback hunt). The Rocky is my final ram to fulfill my north American grand slam, which is my current most important hunting goal. I have grown to love hunting with horses (but I would crawl through downtown Toronto naked over broken glass to get one at this point).

I just want to say I really appreciate the replies and any direct messages (including from any outfitters) are welcomed if anyone has time to chat about it offline or on the phone.

 

[RLD]

Always nice to meet another Torontoian.

I can't say it is definitive but I found this book very educational on leopards and how to hunt them:

Thread 'For Sale Soul of the Leopard (book) by Bosveld Jacobs'

Jul 9, 2025

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bosveld Jacobs last April in South Africa and spent an evening with him listening to his fascinating stories.

Now retired from being a Professional Hunter and academic for over 60 years, he spent his career experimenting and documenting leopard hunting techniques. It was reported that his success rate remains unsurpassed. He spent a lot of time on foot in the bush following leopard footprints to locate their dents, routes, marking posts and home ranges. In his book, the "Soul of a Leopard", he shares his immense first hand knowledge, some of which...

• franzfmdavis
• bosveld jacobs leopard leopard hunting soul of the leopard south africa
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[TSIBINDI]

Books:

The Leopard...Peter Turnbull-kemp
Into The Thorns...Wayne Grant
Chui...Lou Hallamore and Bruce Woods

If legal were you hunt, a .270 will be sufficient. I killed one with a .270 and 150gr Nosler Partition. DRT.

Good luck

 

[mark-hunter]

I am not experienced leopard hunter, but in 5 safaris, I had leopard on rifle sight twice. I did not shoot. first time it was female, second time we were not sure was it male or female.
Leopard got my attention!
I researched a bit.
With my research, I came to conclusion that leopard is animal with high possibility to result in frustration. It is the hunt without guarantee on success. You can go on 2 weeks hunt, and not get him. Easily.
My advice on leopard is: go on some DG hunt (for example buffalo), fix the baits, and hope for leopard. Do not go on leopard like on a single animal specialized hunt.
The trophy fee on leopard is cheap.
What is expensive is dangerous game day rate, spent days, and repeated hunts.

Most probably, of all dangerous 7 list, he is the most difficult to get.

 

[Doug3006]

Lou Hallamore wrote a book entitled Chui, A Guide to Hunting African Leopard. Craig Boddington also has a book on leopard hunting…as well as a video.

From what I understand, Zambia, arguably has the highest success rate on leopards, and prices to match! Zimbabwe has great leopard hunting. So does Namibia…. I got mine there. You can’t go wrong with any of these so long as you go with a reputable outfitter who is a specialist in leopard hunting.

I can recommend Immenhof Hunting Safaris in Namibia. Werner von Seydlitz is the owner/PH and is an outstanding “cat man.” Nick Nolte is another well respected Namibian leopard hunter. The Duckworths of Mokore safaris have a great reputation. Buzz Charlton and Myles Mcallum of CMS safaris operate in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley and the take a lot of fine cats in their areas. The Niassa in Mozambique undoubtedly holds a lot of leopards. I wouldn’t go there just now until the jihadists are defeated up there.

Hunting with dogs is personal preference. Hunters who enjoy working with hounds, and the thrill of the chase, find this kind of hunt truly exciting. The chase is everything. Never done it myself.

Traditional baited hunting involves lots and lots of preparation. Hanging baits and checking them daily. Building blinds. It’s not unusual to rack up hundreds of miles in a weeks time just to get a cat on a bait. Sitting in a blind for hours at a time, sometimes many days and nights in a row, is not everybody’s cup of tea. When a shot finally comes, it’s one of the most adrenaline producing activities I’ve ever experienced.

Your 270 is a perfect match for leopard hunting. The shot distance will be short. A leopard is a lightly built animal. Your 270 will flatten him. I would recommend a light gathering scope with an illuminated reticle. Shots are often taken at first light or last light, and we’re legal, in the dark using artificial light. You’ll need all of the brightness you can get. The illuminated reticle helps with accuracy, especially so because you will be wound tight when you see your first leopard! Use a softer bullet than what you may use on larger plains game animals. Core-lockts, Interlocks, etc are good choices. Avoid tough bullets, like Barnes, Woodleighs, A-frames, etc. You want controlled but rapid expansion.

Good luck!