Darted Leopard hunt (green hunt)

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Would you purchase a darted leopard hunt? Percentage of proceeds and collected data go to scientific research. You receive a synthetic skin for a full mount.

 

[siml]

Someone is going to get badly scratched.......

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Someone is going to get badly scratched.......

How so Simon? Have you any experience with this?

 

[bluey]

no worries id have a go at this ,
as in Australia you cant bring a leopard home anyways .
bugger the fake skin ,
this would be a trophy photo only hunt
seeing that it would be in close confines ,with a dart gun .
could it be done with a bow ?
what the cost be , compared to the real deal , hunt?

 

[siml]

I just know a dart doesn't put an animal down instantly, takes a while to go down, also you need to get relatively close to the animal. The ones I have seen are not what you would call hunting, done from a truck with a spotlight at night. I like what you say for sceintific reasons, but just don't think you can compare green hunt on leopard compared to a green rhino. Rhino doesn't have the sharp senses that a leopard has, I definitely don't want to be around for a dart hunt on leopard on foot...that leopard only needs a few seconds to scratch the hell out of you before he passes out..

 

[wahunter]

as bluey said cant bring them back to Australia so I give a go photo on the wall would look good, but it really be about the cost in the end

 

[siml]

wahunter, I have one client that only takes photos of his trophies, says by not having a taxidermy/shipping bills, he can hunt Africa every second year.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

The leopard is tracked and treed by hounds. The approach is the same as we do with the bow hunts. The drug cocktail is surprisingly fast acting, faster to put the cat down than most arrow shot leopard.

It is possible to use a bow and modified arrow.

The cost would most likely not exceed USD 10 000 all incl. 10 day hunt.

Although we have no video or text presentation as yet, it is possible to search the numerous green hunts on jaguar that were completed for a comparable reference.

 

[siml]

Gavin, keep us updated on these hunts, think its going to be one hell of a hunt.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Will do Simon. Can travel to your area too.
Drop me an email if you would like more details.

 

[gordon-kruger]

I do not think it's what I call for a proper big five trophy... .. and I can't see the price of $10.000 really attractive when you can find a baited hunt with some contacts for as low as 12'

Furthermore I do not think that the right feeling/memory will comes with a dog hunt, but this is only my most personal opinion, and there is maybe some people that go for it... but the leopard will most probably jump after the dart and I can not see any tracker that are interested to fallow up a cat with a dart....

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I would rather do a Leopard hunt with my bow and dogs than to sit and wait for one at a bait.
To me there is nothing more mind numbing than to sit at a bait and wait for something to shoot.

I would prefer to kill it and bring the skin and skull back home.
But if I was to do a so called "green hunt"(totally stupid name) for a Leopard to experience the hunt, I would for sure not have a stupid synthetic skin to bring back home.
It would be something I could consider to do, but not for $10.000.
Maybe for $7-8000 maximum.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Gordon, hunting leopard over hounds is extremely challenging and very memorable.

The leopard often doesn't even jump the tree after being hit with an arrow, but when he does then the hounds (our master trackers) follow up.

I have not seen a baited leopard hunt marketed for under 18000 for a couple of years now, and a hound hunt for less than 22000 will be a steal. Currently Zim hunts which are probably the most accessible sell for around 35000.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Thanks for the input Norwegianwoods, your points are noted.

 

[siml]

Different strokes for different blokes.....I have seen hunters/ph's have more "crap" or action when hunting leopards with dogs, if done the proper way, which I am sure Gavin does, not talking waiting in the truck until leopard is treed and then just walking up with client and shooting it. Norwegianwoods, I am with you on the baited leopard....get so darn bored. Gordon 12k for a leopard hunt...thats dam cheap,

 

[Bullthrower338]

Here is the synthetic leopard I just got back from my taxidermist, there is something wrong with it that I can not put my finger on it!!!

I'm just messing with you Gavin. Lol
I would personally take my money and hunt buff or a sable, just wouldn't feel like a hunt to me. I have never hunted leopard behind hounds, but have hunted mountain lion extensively with them. There is nothing I have ever enjoyed more.

 

[siml]

Bull, I was waiting for a pic like that...at least Gavin will have a good laugh....

 

[Red Leg]

I totally agree with TMS. Some areas - Moz for instance, a cat would stay in a tree (they are tall) and this could possibly be done without people ending up in the hospital. In Namibia and I suspect most of RSA someone would get hammered. Leopards are captured all the time in both countries for study, but they are trapped in box traps and then drugged - probably not very sporting. When chased by dogs they "tree" in thorn thickets and rocks. And while I don't have a lot of experience, I have actually followed up three wounded leopards with dogs (not my shooting I hasten to add). You could not pay me enough to try and get close enough to stick one with an airgun or bow in thorn bush environment - much less me pay you. Moreover, cats are thin skinned. A load of drugs in the haunch which would put him to sleep, might the kill the animal if delivered to the chest cavity - would be curious to know what you are using and effects of misplacement. Leopards I have seen in thorn bush, holding off dogs were whirling dervishes, not placid pumas clinging quietly to a branch. Again, the open forest of Moz and similar environments might be different.

I personally have zero interest in such a hunt.

 

[siml]

Gordon, I am with you on that one....like I said in my first post..someone is going to get scratched.....but real keen to hear the outcome.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Nice work Gavin. I think this is a hell of an idea! Not for the faint-hearted for sure. Since this will be for research purposes, I think it is a fantastic concept. I also believe that by doing it over hounds will give the hunter an unmatched experience. There is few hunting experiences that matches hound hunting, and doing big 5 over hounds, has to be the cherry on the cake.
However, how will the safety aspect work? There will have to be a backup rifle. What will the outcome be, should the Leopard charge and be shot? How will the hunter be kept safe in the first place?
I'm only playing the devil's advocate here, but think you might be onto something awesome.