NAMIBIA: A Fantastic Leopard & Plains Game Hunt With Ozondjahe Hunting Safaris

Mike Wachtel

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I'm just back from 2 weeks in Namibia at @Ozondjahe Hunting Safaris. My first time in Africa at age 67. Crazy me, I booked a 12 day leopard hunt. What are the odds? But assured I would pick up plains game, off we went after a year of planning and over 50 years of dreaming. Lots of stories behind every memory, but here's my "bag"--Morning of day 3, scored on a 7'-6", 119 lb. Tom! Then a good Impala, chosen from 100's on the 120 square mile property. Then a great stalk on a lone Zebra, interrupted by a nasty-tempered Honey Badger, but ultimately successful, shot from the sticks. A Damara Dik-dik from the higher ground was next. Used a .222 on him, the .300 Win. Mag. would have made "mince" of him. If I were so inclined to enter, he would go way over the minimum RW, a giant with 3-1/4" horns! Will look nice mounted with the leopard. After much enjoyable blind sitting (my wife recorded 52 species of birds, with the help of our PH, Phillip Fourie), a herd of Eland filtered in. PH whispered that he'd tell me when the bull arrived. He didn't have to! The majestic bull towered over his harem of 25+ cows and calves. I made a good shot, and he was down at 50 yards. Then, after seeing many cows, calves, and young bulls (they all looked great to me!) Gemsbok, we finally found an old lone bull hanging well back from a waterhole. Waited for a broadside shot, and he ran 50 yards and dropped! 3 days left, and I decided to take it easy, do some Guinea and Francolin shooting, visit the taxidermist with my trophies, sight see; but always had the rifle available in case a big Kudu appeared. He didn't, a reason to go back. Thanks for pre-hunt tips from Charlie Austin and many hours talking with Greg Mensik to allow me to plan such a fantastic adventure for my wife and I. Mike Wachtel, Lacona, IA

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Applied for my leopard Import permit pre-hunt, May '22. Letter of Acknowledgment dated 5/24/2022, and my check for $100 cashed. I'm "In the queue for processing". Leopard killed 7/26/2022. We'll see how long it takes. Using Kings Taxidermy in Otjiwarongo to D & P, Rainer Sentefol of African Shipping Services to forward to Tom Kelly at @TROPHY SHIPPERS in Chicago for US entry. Brad Coulson of Ankeny, Iowa will do the taxidermy. Mike.
 
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Congrats on a great safari! Great animals!
 
Congratulations on a very successful safari! Some great animals in the salt! So, now that you have had your first safari, when are you going back to Africa? ;)
 
Love the dik-dik and that eland!
 
Congrats and thanks for sharing!
 
All magnificent trophies and it looks like spot on shooting as well. Congratulations sir on long awaited dreams come true!
 
Congratulations on a great "First" safari. You did very well. Thanks for posting.
 
Wow, that's great! A leopard on your first trip on day 3 is amazing. Congratulations!!
 
Ill be headed to Namibia next summer. How did your leopard hunt all come together? The more time i spend on here the more It seems Namibia has more quality leopards than I assumed.

Thanks for sharing!
 
Glad the 50 year dream came true.
Congratulations.
 
Love it when dreams come true! Congratulations, and beautiful animals taken.
 
Very nice animals, congratulations. Thanks for sharing.
 
Great hunt Mike! Looking forward to everything arriving!
 
congratulations on a great first safari and thanks for sharing!
 
Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like an excellent safari with some good trophies!
Bruce
 
Looks like a great trip Mike. Congratulations on a dream come true.
 

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