Small cats and night-hunting

[MarkB]

No recommendations on SA cat/night critter taxidermist, ones posted above look good. I add 4 or 5 days and have night hunted on every safari, Zim, Namibia and SA, from leopard to genet and many many more, absolutely love it. Cant do here in Canada.

What did mess me up on a SA hunt; take more than 10 mins to fully, totally learn the scope BEFORE starting the night drives. No night scopes in Canada, so the settings, IR, white animal, black animal white bushes, brightness and like screwed me up. Night hunt in Zim and Namibia had big 56 mm scopes so very easy, same as normal looking thru.

Take your eye away from the scope, look at the light then get correct position behind scope, animal will be in full view and in light. If second shot or miss, reacquire animal looking over scope in light then repeat. After I missed serval and it ran I wasted time searching in scope, Gerry my awesome PH said look at light then acquire site picture. After that bang flop.

Take warm, QUIET clothing if sitting in blind or watching bait, ensure PH and those who will sit have same.

Maybe you are from a US state that regularly hunts at night, that would certainly add familiarity and confidence to a SA night hunt.

I envy you, please complete a hunt report upon your return, love immersing in someone else's critter hunt when I am not on my own, maybe 2026?

Have fun.

MB

 

[rdog]

I'm leaving in a few weeks for a night hunt with Kemp African Safaris in South Africa. We'll be going after small and mid-sized cats (civet, serval, caracal, genet + hyena, badger, bushpig, etc...). I've had previous taxidermy done in the US, but I'm thinking to have these done in Africa ($18,000 versus $32,000 for life-size). I've been researching taxidermists in South Africa, and I thought I had a few good options. However, further research has shown that most of the good "cat guys" have recently changed outfitters, retired, etc... Does anyone have any recent experience/recommendations (from the past 6-12 months) for a taxidermist in Africa who specializes in small-medium cats?

Also, this will be my first night hunt in Africa. Any tips would be greatly appreciated (gear, shot placement, etc...). I'll be renting a gun/scope from the outfitter shooting 173 grain 7x57.

I'm leaving in a few weeks for a night hunt with @KEMP AFRICAN SAFARIS in South Africa. We'll be going after small and mid-sized cats (civet, serval, caracal, genet + hyena, badger, bushpig, etc...). I've had previous taxidermy done in the US, but I'm thinking to have these done in Africa ($18,000 versus $32,000 for life-size). I've been researching taxidermists in South Africa, and I thought I had a few good options. However, further research has shown that most of the good "cat guys" have recently changed outfitters, retired, etc... Does anyone have any recent experience/recommendations (from the past 6-12 months) for a taxidermist in Africa who specializes in small-medium cats?

Also, this will be my first night hunt in Africa. Any tips would be greatly appreciated (gear, shot placement, etc...). I'll be renting a gun/scope from the outfitter shooting 173 grain 7x57.

Having shot many Feral cats at night a 17rem , 222, 223, or a 204 Ruger is all that is needed a 7x57 will destroy
them, but would be good for HYENA & PIGS