That evening we come back and get set-up by 1630. You never know how long you will have to wait, it could be a long night! I was reading a magazine until it got dark. We had my gun set-up in a tripod and I was going to sit on a small stool to shoot the leopard if it came in to eat. Wayne has his headphones on to listen for noise at the bait, like a veteran he set-up for the long night. I got into my sleeping bag at dark, wondering what was going to happen next. I kept reminding myself don’t rush the shot, pick a spot, hold the gun like a rock or stone and make the shot count. Wayne went over all the shot possibilities with me before the big event. At around 1900, the big leopard came into eat. I got up slowly and got into position to shoot. My heart was racing. I found the leopard but we were not a 100% it was a male. I practiced holding the reticles tight. I whispered to Wayne “I’m ready”. He said, “not yet”. The big leopard didn’t like the light and retreated down the tree. He was hanging vertically, with his head towards the ground. “I’m saying to myself he is going to leap”. The leopard quickly brought his body to the tree and leaped to a rock like 20 feet away and was gone a flash. We didn’t make any noise in the blind, after all this was round 1. A little over an hour later, the leopard was back for round 2. Wayne said the leopard came back and sat in the tree for a long time before deciding this not safe and again leaped off the tree. I was beginning to think this is going to be a long night. I tried to get comfortable in the sleeping bag without snoring. A real challenge for me because I need to sleep on my side to do that and I’m really use to my memory foam mattress at home. I was working through the challenges of holding still. Round 3, Just before 2200 the big leopard came back for the zebra quarters. Wayne said, “this time let me confirm it’s that huge leopard and then you shoot it”. The leopard was listening for every reason to run away but at the same time wanted his zebra quarter. I finally was able to get into shooting position. I did it a little at a time. Wayne confirmed what I already knew, that it was not any small leopard and to shoot when ready. I picked a spot between his front leg and the main tree limb for a lung shot and pulled the trigger. I made damn sure I had a good rest and the correct spot on the leopard. The leopard at the shot leaped from the tree. We both heard a quick scramble and then nothing. Wayne asked, “did you make a good shot”. I replied, “yes”. We got out of the blind. Wayne had his double shotgun with buckshot. I brought my rifle. We got to the base of the tree and found bright red blood. We called the truck in with Sam, Cowboy and Micheck to help find the leopard. Not a lot of blood but there was drip drop trail up the hill to where the leopard was found dead. I stood back and let the experts sort the trail out. Honestly I don’t think the leopard went a 100 yds. It took 4 people to carry it back down through the rocks and brush. Words will never describe the relief and elation of getting a huge leopard down on your first leopard hunt. I know for the last 6 months that is all I thought about in the back of my head was I going to get lucky and get a leopard on the ground. When I was pounding hours at work, all I could think about was remember your goal. Enjoy the journey and adventure but make every moment count. You most likely only have one try to get a leopard! We moved the leopard down the river and took some pictures.
