Leopard Success Rates

[migrabill]

I am a planner. My first trip to Africa in 2024 was booked 2 years in advance. My second trip is already booked and I do not go until June of 2028. So.... I am already thinking about a 3rd trip in 2029. Both trips so far have been to South Africa. The first trip I took 8 different plains game species. On my second trip I have on my list a Cape Buffalo and 5 more plains game species. For my 3rd trip I am kicking around the idea of Leopard. Leopard is the one animal that I see a fair amount of people returning without one. I would hate to lay down 20K+ and not get one. If you go with a good outfitter, what success rates do they typically have? Can you hunt them in South Africa, or would another country be better? I see many advertised leopard hunts say bait is included. I assume that means if they have me shoot some plains game animals for bait, I don't get charged the trophy fee. But would I still be able to bring those hides, heads, and horns back home?

 

[HankBuck]

I am a planner. My first trip to Africa in 2024 was booked 2 years in advance. My second trip is already booked and I do not go until June of 2028. So.... I am already thinking about a 3rd trip in 2029. Both trips so far have been to South Africa. The first trip I took 8 different plains game species. On my second trip I have on my list a Cape Buffalo and 5 more plains game species. For my 3rd trip I am kicking around the idea of Leopard. Leopard is the one animal that I see a fair amount of people returning without one. I would hate to lay down 20K+ and not get one. If you go with a good outfitter, what success rates do they typically have? Can you hunt them in South Africa, or would another country be better? I see many advertised leopard hunts say bait is included. I assume that means if they have me shoot some plains game animals for bait, I don't get charged the trophy fee. But would I still be able to bring those hides, heads, and horns back home?

@migrabill - I am also interested in the question you pose regarding Success Rates on Leopards with a “Good” PH/Operation. I’m certain No one is even close to 100% even on any “legal” Leopard and much lower on a true “Trophy Tom”. I’ve read about Hound Leopard Hunts having high success but I know I would Not be happy with just “any” legal leopard and feather go home empty handed. Will await to see what others with more experience say. From my own ver limited experiance hunting Cats in the U.S. - I went on 3 Mountain Lion hunts with hounds (2 in Idaho, 1/BC). The Idaho Guide had been 100% for 4 consecutive years (30 for 30) UNTIL we hunted with him - we (two of us) hunted with him 7 full days and saw Zero the first year and the following year hunted another 7 days and killed one great Tom —- the only hot track we cut on Day 6 days of the 7 day hunt. Later in BC I also hunted 10 days and never treed a Cat and Never cut a trophy size track. Conditions on both trips were “perfect” with fresh snow. Sometimes, when hunting a WILD animal - it just doesn’t work out….een in a great area with a good guide and good dogs (Luck helps)

 

[dchum]

You will not be hunting Leopard in South Africa. Time to try a new country.

Good luck on you quest. There is already lots of good info on this sight if you do the digging.

 

[migrabill]

@migrabill - I am also interested in the question you pose regarding Success Rates on Leopards with a “Good” PH/Operation. I’m certain No one is even close to 100% even on any “legal” Leopard and much lower on a true “Trophy Tom”. I’ve read about Hound Leopard Hunts having high success but I know I would Not be happy with just “any” legal leopard and feather go home empty handed. Will await to see what others with more experience say. From my own ver limited experiance hunting Cats in the U.S. - I went on 3 Mountain Lion hunts with hounds (2 in Idaho, 1/BC). The Idaho Guide had been 100% for 4 consecutive years (30 for 30) UNTIL we hunted with him - we (two of us) hunted with him 7 full days and saw Zero the first year and the following year hunted another 7 days and killed one great Tom —- the only hot track we cut on Day 6 days of the 7 day hunt. Later in BC I also hunted 10 days and never treed a Cat and Never cut a trophy size track. Conditions on both trips were “perfect” with fresh snow. Sometimes, when hunting a WILD animal - it just doesn’t work out….een in a great area with a good guide and good dogs (Luck helps)

Thanks for the info. I have my first ever Mountain Lion hunt scheduled on the Arizona/Utah border in January of 2027. He has also been 100% for 6 consecutive years. I was thinking I was probably going to get one, but now you have me questioning that!!

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have friends who took nice Leopard in Namibia. My PH has a limited number of Leopard tags in Northern Namibia near Etosha Natl Game Preserve. RBD Safaris. Some outfitters pre-bait for clients but honestly, I would rather shoot my own bait and spend the extra days on the hunt. I did the same thing and hunted PG the first year and DG/PG the 2nd year and am now planning a 3rd trip but do not have Leopard on my hit list. Good luck.

 

[Fulvio]

Thanks for the info. I have my first ever Mountain Lion hunt scheduled on the Arizona/Utah border in January of 2027. He has also been 100% for 6 consecutive years. I was thinking I was probably going to get one, but now you have me questioning that!!

Mountain Lion and Leopard hunts are comparable to apples and oranges. Do your due diligence and book yourself a hunt in Zim, Moz, Zambia or Tanzania.

 

[Russ16]

Following.

My early research shows the hugest success rates in northern Mozambique and Zambia. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great areas. Good areas are priced accordingly.

 

[mark-hunter]

If you go with a good outfitter, what success rates do they typically have?

I asked my Namibian outfitter this question.
He said: He has 3 leopard tags per year, for which he needs 4 hunters per year. Success rate is 75%

I use this as measuring stick.
(I played with the idea, to come there as a hunter no 4, after one of them fails... hmmm,.... ok, thats a joke)

Recently I asked on this forum one of the sponsors who offered leopard hunt, what is his success rate.
He said: Very high!
That answer is not good enough for me. Becasue he knows his success rate in two decinals, and does not want to share with me.
Avoid.

Based on my research, I think that leopard is most unpredictable animal on big 5 list.

Btw I had leopard in my sights and ready to shoot, twice!
First time it was female.
No shoot.
Second time we were not sure was it male or female, again, no shoot.
Damn it!
Shall be third time, lucky?

I dont know!

So, I am developing the plan:

Option one:
Consider leopard driven by dogs. More dynamic, arguably higher success rate in general.

Option two:
Leopard as add on.
This means, try for leopard while hunting something else. Good combination for leopard as add on, is buffalo hunt on DG day rate.
And if you dont get leopard, at least DG day rate is not wasted, with comforting buffalo in the bag.

Sorting out priorities:
If leopard is on the list as a part of big 5, go for leopard last.
The hardest things keep for last.
(I already have buff and ele, and my next big 5 animal will be white rhino darting)

So, those are my thoughts.

 

[375Fox]

It depends on the area and the PH. There are areas in the Niassa, Luangwa, Selous that are approaching 100% success. The most successful hunts are the least educated cats in safari areas but would depend on other factors as well such as if hunting at night is permitted, quantity of plains game, density of leopards, etc. The most difficult are highly educated cats in cattle areas. I’d rather spend $50k on one successful leopard hunt than $25k each on 4 unsuccessful leopard hunts. Low cost low success leopard hunts get expensive quick.

There is no leopard hunting in South Africa at the moment. The most accessible is private ranch hunting in Namibia. It’s private land so bait can be included or low cost but it’s also the lowest success. There are some PHs with high success rates though. Concession areas in other countries have higher success, but also more expensive bait and day rates. The government doesn’t care if it’s a trophy kudu or bait kudu, it’s included in same quota for same pricing. If there are a lot of impala or zebra on quota the outfitter may provide a lower bait trophy fee though.

 

[375Fox]

I have friends who took nice Leopard in Namibia. My PH has a limited number of Leopard tags in Northern Namibia near Etosha Natl Game Preserve. RBD Safaris. Some outfitters pre-bait for clients but honestly, I would rather shoot my own bait and spend the extra days on the hunt. I did the same thing and hunted PG the first year and DG/PG the 2nd year and am now planning a 3rd trip but do not have Leopard on my hit list. Good luck.

Namibia doesn’t issue leopard tags to South African outfitters. He’s hunting through a Namibian outfitters as an agent. If someone really wants to be successful leopard hunting they’d be making a mistake not hunting with a PH from that country or at least hunting there full time that actually knows their areas best. No one would book a Texas whitetail guide to hunt Mountain lion in Montana. I’m not sure why so many hunters can’t separate from the South African PHs they start with. The best areas typically sell themselves and aren’t offered to foreign PHs, exceptions being areas with very large quotas.

 

[rookhawk]

I am a planner. My first trip to Africa in 2024 was booked 2 years in advance. My second trip is already booked and I do not go until June of 2028. So.... I am already thinking about a 3rd trip in 2029. Both trips so far have been to South Africa. The first trip I took 8 different plains game species. On my second trip I have on my list a Cape Buffalo and 5 more plains game species. For my 3rd trip I am kicking around the idea of Leopard. Leopard is the one animal that I see a fair amount of people returning without one. I would hate to lay down 20K+ and not get one. If you go with a good outfitter, what success rates do they typically have? Can you hunt them in South Africa, or would another country be better? I see many advertised leopard hunts say bait is included. I assume that means if they have me shoot some plains game animals for bait, I don't get charged the trophy fee. But would I still be able to bring those hides, heads, and horns back home?

Success on Leopard is about 90% in 28 days and about 100% in 45 days of hunting. Some people get great luck and kill one the first night of the first sit, others try on 3-4 different safaris.

That's why I tell people contemplating DG hunting "if you ever want a leopard, plan on hunting one on EVERY hunt starting with your first DG hunt".

When you go home having hunted a lot of nice PG you used for bait, and you shot your buffalo or elephant, you're not teary eyed on the plane. Your trip still was pretty darned good.

But if you shoot all the plains game on several safaris, THEN you decide to do a leopard-only safari your odds are poor, and the plains game you're shooting may not hold the same joy, and that bait costs real money.

Ordering of Leopard as a priority makes a big difference on your pocketbook and your overall enjoyment.

My leopard was a giant and was an SCI gold quality animal. It took me 3 safaris. Thankfully, I had hunted elephant and other DG on the prior hunts so they were not total loss experiences. I will never hunt leopard again, I do not enjoy it and my stubborn resilience is not a point of pride, its a point of personal frustration I didn't "let it go".

I like elephant. My capital and effort are much more enjoyably deployed to that endeavor.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I am addicted to leopard hunting now.

I’ve got some really good options in front of me for the next few years on how I’ll approach continuing to hunt them in different countries.

Success rates? Just getting to see one is a huge success. Actually getting one? I’m sticking with my hounds and my PH. As long as I’m fit and stay healthy and strong I can’t see myself paying full price for a bait and blind. If a screaming deal came along (such as is the case today) it’d be hard for me to pass. Such is my addiction to them.

I’m on a good track to complete my B5/D7 right now. That being said, as another person wisely posted earlier; if it’s truly important do it every DG hunt allowable to save time and money.

 

[migrabill]

Success on Leopard is about 90% in 28 days and about 100% in 45 days of hunting. Some people get great luck and kill one the first night of the first sit, others try on 3-4 different safaris.

That's why I tell people contemplating DG hunting "if you ever want a leopard, plan on hunting one on EVERY hunt starting with your first DG hunt".

When you go home having hunted a lot of nice PG you used for bait, and you shot your buffalo or elephant, you're not teary eyed on the plane. Your trip still was pretty darned good.

But if you shoot all the plains game on several safaris, THEN you decide to do a leopard-only safari your odds are poor, and the plains game you're shooting may not hold the same joy, and that bait costs real money.

Ordering of Leopard as a priority makes a big difference on your pocketbook and your overall enjoyment.

My leopard was a giant and was an SCI gold quality animal. It took me 3 safaris. Thankfully, I had hunted elephant and other DG on the prior hunts so they were not total loss experiences. I will never hunt leopard again, I do not enjoy it and my stubborn resilience is not a point of pride, its a point of personal frustration I didn't "let it go".

I like elephant. My capital and effort are much more enjoyably deployed to that endeavor.

Really good idea. But all my PG hunting as been in South Africa which is not conducive to Leopard hunting.

 

[rookhawk]

Really good idea. But all my PG hunting as been in South Africa which is not conducive to Leopard hunting.

Then you have a financially problematic issue. Option 1) Pay it all again. Or option 2) Bring a child or spouse and let them go guns a'blazing so they can hunt your bait while having a great experience of their own.

Nothing works better for bait than Zebras, so I recommend bringing lots of guests to your hunt and nudging all of them to hunt zebras.

 

[Rare Breed]

I am a planner. My first trip to Africa in 2024 was booked 2 years in advance. My second trip is already booked and I do not go until June of 2028. So.... I am already thinking about a 3rd trip in 2029. Both trips so far have been to South Africa. The first trip I took 8 different plains game species. On my second trip I have on my list a Cape Buffalo and 5 more plains game species. For my 3rd trip I am kicking around the idea of Leopard. Leopard is the one animal that I see a fair amount of people returning without one. I would hate to lay down 20K+ and not get one. If you go with a good outfitter, what success rates do they typically have? Can you hunt them in South Africa, or would another country be better? I see many advertised leopard hunts say bait is included. I assume that means if they have me shoot some plains game animals for bait, I don't get charged the trophy fee. But would I still be able to bring those hides, heads, and horns back home?

You ask a great question! I spent 15 days last year on my first one and did not even sit a bait. I am booked for my second in August, my third in September 27. Here is what I have learned for your consideration: (Just Me)
1. You usually get what you pay for...just because it is lower in price be careful...you have to decide is one fairly expensive leopard hunt with a high rate of success beat three unsuccessful low cost hunts...for me it gets into the opportunity cost of my time not just my money.
2. Your largest leopards if you are looking for size will typically be what we call ranch cats meaning they love cattle and have been shot at so many times that they are so wary you can almost never bait them, but man are they huge.
3. It is not just narrowing down to a country because different areas really matter. For example, take Zim, some areas have so little PG good luck trying to take a leopard while others are crawling with PG and there is a great chance at leopard so do not just ask about leopard when talking to an outfitter discuss their prey animals as well...can make a big difference.
4. Daylight hunting only or is night permitted varies by country...ask.
5. Ask the outfitters what has been their success rate over the last 3 years for leopard?
Based on the above, my August hunt will be with Divan Safaris in Nambia due to their having a high number of leopards in his area, they have been seen on camera during the legal hunting hours and Divan himself has an AH.com recognized great reputation. Last year on my first leopard hunt there were almost zero PG in Zim where I hunted although I was with probably the greatest living leopard PH, Lou Hallamore which backs up my point even the greatest PH where there are no leopards equals no success.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Good luck with your planning for your leopard hunt.

Don’t look past the Botswana and Mozambique leopard hound hunts. Extremely high success rates (I’m saying 85% to 90%) on the hound hunts but still never a “100% guarantee”.

Happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[375Fox]

For example, take Zim, some areas have so little PG good luck trying to take a leopard while others are crawling with PG and there is a great chance at leopard so do not just ask about leopard when talking to an outfitter discuss their prey animals as well...can make a big difference.
4. Daylight hunting only or is night permitted varies by country...ask.
5. Ask the outfitters what has been their success rate over the last 3 years for leopard?
Based on the above, my August hunt will be with Divan Safaris in Nambia due to their having a high number of leopards in his area, they have been seen on camera during the legal hunting hours and Divan himself has an AH.com recognized great reputation. Last year on my first leopard hunt there were almost zero PG in Zim where I hunted although I was with probably the greatest living leopard PH, Lou Hallamore which backs up my point even the greatest PH where there are no leopards equals no success.

Usually the areas with a relatively high leopard density and a low PG density make it really easy to hold on bait. If there are very few leopards because there are very few PG to eat that’s a different situation. The areas with a very high PG density they don’t necessarily have a reason to stay on bait.

 

[Doug3006]

I’ve taken one leopard, so that makes me a stone cold expert!

I believe you should begin your planning bynselecting a couple of areas known for having lots of leopards. The best PH in Africa can’t put a leopard in a tree in an area with no leopards! Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Namibia all have areas with dense leopard populations. Each of them have areas with few if any. Find the area first, then look for an outfitter.

Then, talk with outfitters that hunt those areas and get the specifics on how they hunt them. Ask them directly how many tags they receive and how many hunters they book to fill them. Tip of the hat to @mark-hunter on this….great advice. There are PHs that are renowned as “cat men.” Find one who can take you to one of those great cat areas.

Lastly, if you are serious about getting a leopard, plan on concentrating on it. You’ll be hunting baits, so you'll get plenty of plains game hunting. Baiting for cats is time consuming.

I’ll share the advice I got from a good PH friend. “Anyone can sell you a leopard hunt.”

PM me on information about the PH who got me mine in Namibia.

 

[Surgeon1]

Really good idea. But all my PG hunting as been in South Africa which is not conducive to Leopard hunting.

If you have hunted SA twice you have only stuck your toe in the Ocean called Africa! It is time to dump SA including the PH and at least get wet to the waist! Hunting DG in Wild Africa is taking a swim in what Africa has to offer! Hunting Leopard is hard and it take a lot of patients! My first leopard hunt was less than 3 hours, my next one was 16 day grind without success, great buffalo and PG but no chance at a Cat. Had really smart cats on game cameras essentially every day both day and nite pictures. Several within 10min of us driving away or leaving the blind. In some countries (Namibia as an example) night hunting is prohibited, which really limits opportunity. Cats are night predators.

Prepare by reading several of the books on Leopard hunting. My favorite "Chui" by my friend Lew Hallamore! Talk to several PHs about how they hunt them and their area. And above all take a rifle that you have practiced shooting a dime at 20-100 yards in daylight, dusk and with minimal back lighting. buy some cheep leopard print material and practice in those conditions shooting one specific
Leopard SPOT. The last thing you, your PH or trackers ever want is a wounded leopard.

The preparation for a leopard hunt should be as intense or more so than any other DG hunt!

 

[coreydb]

I asked my PH what the success rate was for Leopards and was told about 50% with a 14 day hunt. Even at 75% I'm not personally willing to spend the exorbitant amount of money required on a hunt that could be fruitless.