NAMIBIA: My Leopard Hunt Begins

[johnnyblues]

Hi guys. Day 3 has come to an end. Leopard situation has not changed. There here we find large spoor each day. Simply too many calves around for them to hit the bait. But you never know. We went out this afternoon looking for the other animals on my wish list. Kudu taken care of now eland, hartebeest, zebra, and if successful on leopard I want a steenbok or duiker.
After driving around a while looking for any possible signs of Mr.Spots mainly looking for fresh eland calf kill. We spotted a herd of zebra. After chasing them for over a mile we gave up, legs torn up from the thorn brush and knees aching a bit we headed back towards the truck and decided we should check a watering hole near our route back. We came upon a duiker at the watering hole my PH said you want one don't you?, I said yes but only after I shoot a cat as I want to mount it with the cat, his response was simple, you must shoot this duiker he is very good, so I abliged. Below is a picture of him. 4 1/2 inches in length and 2 3/4 on the bases. Very old duiker. Now the pressure is really on to shoot a cat. Lol.

 

[johnnyblues]

Cull oryx my PH asked me to take out. Bad shape the old girl was in

 

[johnnyblues]

Jonny, sorry I did not give you a good luck send off, was out of commission for awhile.
So happy hunting and be safe.......

Hope your on the road to recovery Robert.

 

[BWH]

Nice duiker! You did right by culling that Gemsbok...... Stay positive!

 

[MT Griz]

"Cull oryx my PH asked me to take out. Bad shape the old girl was in"
Nice more leopard bait!

 

[Foxi]

View attachment 48269

Waidmannsheil.
A wonderful Kudu.
And Waidmannsheil for a big Tom.
Foxi

 

[CAustin]

Keep the reports coming Johnny! Hope you get old spots

 

[MT Griz]

Johnny, very nice bush duiker. With the measurements you gave that will turn out to be a SCI Gold Medal duiker and rank in the mid 40's (not that it matters all that much). But your PH was right to have you take the shot. You would be hard pressed to find one any better. It will make a nice mount with your leopard.

 

[robertq]

Hope your on the road to recovery Robert.

Yes, thank you... I'm enjoying your posts and living your hunt.

 

[Royal27]

Be careful with those little guys.... first the duiker, then the Steenbok, then another safari planned just to shoot the other eight....

I actually have more interest in completing the tiny ten than the big 5 now.

 

[harden]

Thanks for bringing us along , enjoying the ride ! Thanks

 

[enysse]

Beautiful duiker and kudu

 

[thi9elsp]

Congratulations on the little guy. And, thanks for taking the time to keep us up-to-date.

 

[gillettehunter]

That is a fine Duiker. Sometimes its best to take what africa gives you. Its likely you may never of had the chance to get one that good later..... Looks like your collecting bait. Best of luck. Bruce

 

[ROCKET]

Congrats Johnnie on your good 53 + Kudu Bull and the great Bush Duiker you got.......lets see how this go with Mrs Spots.....!!!!!

Good Luck on it.....!!!!!

 

[johnnyblues]

Hi everyone, and thanks for your kind words. Day 4 has closed with no signs of leopard hitting baits. So the chess game continues. On our way back to the house this evening we came across a hartebeest walking in the road about 1000 yds ahead of us. Light was fading quickly and he was walking away from us.

My ph decided let try to stalk thru the brush and cut the distance. We got to about 150 yards the hartebeest was still walking straight away. My ph whistled several times trying to get a gauge on the beast. He was sure it was a male so the decision was made for me to shoot. I sent the 180 gr TSX from my 300 WSM and hit him hard. 15 yds into the bush he layed. Hope you guys don't mind my daily updates. Kind of fun to have you along.

 

[LivingTheDream]

Wow look at bases!!! Nice job!!!

 

[johnnyblues]

Th

Wow look at bases!!! Nice job!!!

Thanks buddy. Has a slightly deformed horn but just adds character to an already ugly guy lol.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Unique trophies are the best ones.

It's great being along on the hunt. Glad you like the company.

 

[thriller]

Hope you guys don't mind my daily updates. Kind of fun to have you along.

I hope your joking, I'm living vicariously through you right now.