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A croc was taken a few years ago about 1 km from were I took this guy. There were 5 pairs of shoes inside. More recently a croc about this size was taken and was known to have taken a few locals. When the locals came to inspect my croc they were prepared for what they might have found inside.

Rare Breed, Green Chile, You both speak words of wisdom. My wife and I attended the DSC event at the Gaylord this past weekend and I was able to visit with some well known Outfitters and PH's. There's a pattern emerging of simply - too early. With respect to lucky vs unlucky; in the words...

We did not find anything, however, we didn't inspect them very closely. These were big crocs and little boats. The crocs were skinned on site and loaded into the boat, the bodies were left for the locals. The crocs taken in that area have been known to contain shoes.

I bought my Heym 450/400 specifically for my first safari and I killed 3 of my 4 cape buffalo with it. since then I've used it on elephants, rhino, giraffe, zebra, camels, donkeys, water buffalo, banteng, a couple sharks, and most recently a croc. A double can be very effective, and they are...

Thank you for that. I am a newcomer, as you know, and lack the years of experience such as yous. As I said in my original post - it was obvious, even to me, the high grass and lack of game were going to be an issue. As far as prior awareness, I can't answer that. What I can say is, both...

Rare Breed, You never disappoint. ..."Goals that are fun in hunting not stressful in the fulfillment"... That, sir, needs to be a slogan! This post shall serve as notice I intend to borrow (steal) that phrase, and in return offer one I use when asked for career guidance: "Find an...

If only it were that simple. All my hunts, and I'm assuming those of others, were based on success rates of outfitters, PHs, areas, etc. It's something you learn. I was fortunate to have excellent advice on my first hunt, as I was completely unaware. I doubt anyone would select either an...

Bryan, Thanks, and best of luck on your hunt. I have no doubt on your success, if a leopard is present Gav and his team will find it. As I have stated, the failure of this hunt was due to one thing only - the simple fact there were no leopards.

Tom, Thank you for reminding me I am not alone in the failure line. I have been asking myself why this particular hunt has produced such a feeling of defeat. This was my 4th attempt at a leopard, so being unsuccessful is not new. The difference between this hunt and the others was the lack...

Interesting question. Personally, my first leopard attempt was well before I had any aspirations of accomplishing a Big 5. I would say, you can hunt a leopard without going after the Big 5, but you can't complete the Big 5 without the leopard. The aspects of the hunt remain the same. Each...

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Having seen the effort Gav, his crew, and his dogs exhibit in the absence of any sign, I have no doubt in their ability to succeed in the presence of a leopard. Your prediction is 100% correct, it echos insight gained from experience, and beneath the...

Thanks Dave, and congrats on your success with a leopard. Each attempt makes me appreciate outcomes such as yours even more. I guess I shouldn't complain, all my attempts at the other members of the Big 5/Dangerous 7 have been successful

This was my first exposure to what is apparently much more common. I mentioned this to a couple friends who are much more experienced Africa hunters and both said they had taken trophies which had healed wounds with those rebar "bullets". The outfitter had at least a dozen of those confiscated...

Kinda renders the discussion of a follow shot mute. Think about it - we debate caliber, bullet, bolt or double, shot placement; equip ourselves as our budgets allow - and then a poacher armed with a black powder musket and a hunk of rebar for a bullet, sneaks up barefooted to a trophy any of us...

There has been much discussion regarding the best caliber for cape buffalo, different opinions, varied rational, but ultimately - it's the results which prove validity. To that end I submit the following: This cape buffalo was shot by a poacher using a musket, like the two pictured above...

I just returned from an unsuccessful leopard hunt in Mozambique. We used cows and goats due to a lack other game animals. We had 17 baits out and no hits. My lion hunt in Zambia was done with hippo, and I was successful in taking a lion. Consider pre-baiting

Thanks. It appears I am doing my part to maintain that low success rate.

Thanks. That is a great question, I don't have room for a full mount in my trophy room, but a shoulder mount might work. Rug for the smaller of the two.

I agree.

Thanks. I do not know the answer to that question. We did see evidence of poachers in spite of anti-poaching patrols. There were gold poachers along the river as well. Mine was the first hunt of the season and both outfitter and PH discussed the late rain and high grass. The PH contacted...

Thanks Red Leg. I'd say we squeezed as hard as we could.

Gav, thanks for posting that video, and adding your professional perspective. As we discussed in camp, I would like to confirm to anyone reading this thread; I have no doubt had there been a leopard present you and your dogs would have found it. I do not know the exact size of the area we...

That, sir, is the question isn't it?

True indeed. I have been very fortunate in my other safaris: cape buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, hippo, croc, and a host of plains game; but for some reason the leopard eludes me. During my first safari in 2018 I was startled by a leopard who emerged from a bush - jumped over the front of the...

Thanks. It was no small task and a tremendous effort on the part of the trackers and boat guys - they made it happen. If you look closely at the trophy photo, over my left shoulder are some hippos - they were splashing around in the middle of the river. Level with my hat you can see a small...

Just returned from my leopard hunt in Mozambique which was an absolute bust, 17 baits, 21 days - and not one hit. Allow me to provide a few details of the hunt. The trip started in Dallas, I flew Emirates to Dubai, and from there to Johannesburg. Overnight Joburg, next day to Tete. Check-in...

Good to hear - I'm hunting with Gav in about a week. Best of luck to whomever takes this hunt.

Where and what are you hunting in Namibia? I'll be in Moz (hopefully) by the end of the week.

Safe travels, best of luck.

Just asked my PH in Moz - he said not mandatory yet, but might have to fill it out at the airport. I'll know for sure in a few days.

Here's the target for the NorthForks - 25yds off a bag, iron sights. Hunting leopards over dogs the range won't be more than that. Flew in an airshow in Smyrna years ago, beautiful country. Best regards, Franco

PM sent

Here's a couple more pictures of the rhino.

Wildlife Gallery. Thanks, this was the first time in 28 years of marriage I was not overruled on my choices. During the remodel of our last home my wife would ask for my input on color which would always end the same way - "No, I think this other one is better", for a parade of reasons I...

Beautiful. I'm just starting, don't have the space you do but chose a lighter green and darker wood combo

I'll know for sure tomorrow.

Going after leopard later this month, using my 450/400 double with custom loaded 400 Grain North Forks. I have not shot a test group yet.

DSC, Jan 2022, I was having lunch at the food court and Craig was at the nearby stage giving a talk about cape buffalo. A gentleman approached and asked if I had shown my trophy to Craig. I had not, so I waited until his talk was over and asked if he would be interested in viewing my trophy...

I know what you mean about the old Halibuton Zeros. I still have some from the 70's. I worked for a company flying Rock bands and those aluminum cases were everywhere. Much heavier construction than the new ones, and you could send them in for repair. In 30 plus years with the airline I...

My wife has Tumi cases; she got them after we had to pry her last Halliburton open. Good point on the repair options.

Just ordered the Rimowa Check-in M. Delivery later in the week, save a drive to Dallas. Hopefully it will hold up. Thanks for all the advice.

I was just looking at them. They came up on a Google search. Looks like a road trip to Ft Worth next week. Thank you

I have used Halliburton suitcases for years, but lately they just don't hold up. Locks get broken, and the cases get so distorted - if you manage to get them open, they won't close again. Part of the problem is the locks are exposed, and the newer cases are awfully thin. What hard, lockable...

Hank, I can assure you there is nothing made up about my personal experience with dementia. As for conjecture - the result says it all. Have I made suppositions, yes - several; but I don't have to watch a hammer fall to know it's going to hit the ground, if I hear someone has been struck by...

dogcat1 - I may have been that "anal" American Airlines pilot.

Mark, I suffer the same criticism and completely understand. My standard response is "Why are you not?"