In Zim, the highest density and highest success rate areas tend to be booked several years in advance and are disproportionately expensive to other areas. But they are 90+% on spots with PHs that frequent those areas. In my book that’s still a significantly better investment than 50-75% chance (unless the leopard is an opportunity add on to another primary hunt). 2-3 moderately priced (but unsuccessful) leopard hunts tend to be far more expensive than 1 higher dollar one. I started 0-2, and now am 2-2 since picking premier areas. I’m going again this summer, but am after a super-sized cat in Zim after taking two big ones (Zambia and Zimbabwe) - I suspect my odds are a bit lower bc of this, but am also hunting ele.
The most successful leopard PHs I’ve been around and have hunted with place location/density above all else. Then time of year and ability to hunt at night as may be necessary. One of the most minor factors was moon phase …. But why not stack everything you can in your favor - you can do that by booking far enough in advance.
Including dogs is no guarantee. BUT a good houndsman and pack of dogs drives up your chances significantly. There is some offset to this as typically the premier areas don’t allow dog hunts (but then again, you don’t really need them there).
