How dangerous is it to hunt a Leopard?

[35bore]

Or 3) Your Remington failed you ........ :stirring: :sting: :beer:

You had to go there,,,,???? Didn't You.....:crazylol:unch::draught: Never had one fail. :dance:

 

[enysse]

Or 3) Your Remington failed you ........ :stirring: :sting: :beer:

LMAO!! Should have had a Win Model 70!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

You had to go there,,,,???? Didn't You.....:crazylol:unch::draught: Never had one fail. :dance:

Well it's baseball season here in AZ and I saw a hanging curve, had to take a swing at it

 

[spike.t]

LMAO!! Should have had a Win Model 70!

yup and in 9.3x62 not that 35 thing......:laughing:

 

[Royal27]

Well it's baseball season here in AZ and I saw a hanging curve, had to take a swing at it

And it's OUTTA HERE!!!!

 

[Mtgoat]

A story that I heard a few years ago of a hunter tracking a leopard he knew to live in the area and the spoor led him into an area with thick bush on a rocky outcrop at which point he decided to sling his rifle and draw his revolver. Not long after, he got that eerie feeling that something wasn't right, and the saying 'The hair on the back of your neck never lies' was proven once again. He stopped in his tracks and looked up, just as he did so the leopard pounced and, by chance, in his panic he pulled off a shot that found its mark. If he had made the mistake of continuing to track with his rifle in hand, it could have been a very different ending.

That is amazingly similar to an experience that I had with a mountain lion while elk hunting - except for 2 details. First (and most important), the cat never attacked. I never actually saw it. Second, at first, I didn't realize that I was looking for a cat. I had seen an animal come out of a stand of trees. There was fresh snow, it was midday and I was bored. I decided to track it and see what it was. I hadn't gotten a good look at it, but thought that there was a possibility that it was a coyote in need of being killed. I started with the stand of trees it had come out of. When I got into the trees, I had that same "hair on the back of my neck" feeling. Without any conscious thought, I took my rifle off of my shoulder; opened the scope covers; turned scope down to its lowest power,; put the Model 70 safety in the middle position and proceeded ahead carrying the rifle in the "ready" position. Then (this is the really weird part), I started looking up in the trees. Remember, I didn't know that there was a cat in the area. Eventually, I got it all sorted out. The mountain lion had doubled back into the trees. Then it had headed up a steep slope into a dense stand of trees (black timber). It might have been watching me from up there the whole time.

I definitely agree with the thought already expressed - Never trust a cat.

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

It's a great topic, in line with the modern change in hunters. I encounter more often hunters that are living the sport. They train out of season to stay in shape. Practice regularly with their weapons. Nurture the mindset that hunting is a way of life, a day in - day out existence.
For most of these sportsmen shooting a Leopard from a blind is VERY minimally dangerous. Especially when compared to stalking Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion etc. on foot.

To fit truly into the category of a dangerous game hunt is only achievable over hounds.

Obviously my opinion is biased, but think about it......

 

[115grfmj]

Never hunted cats in Africa (yet!) Came across a good read, By Peter Hathaway Capstick (also a NJ Native) who thought enough of them to include them into "Death in the Long Grass". If a fellow from NJ thinks there dangerous I'm inclined to believe him.

 

[Doubleriflejack]

Not dangerous at all, unless he gets to you and claws you to death. Some say they are more dangerous than a tiger or lion, because of their blinding speed. Once on you, good luck! Can you say "tear you to threads in a heartbeat?" I knew you could.

 

[colorado]

LMAO!! Should have had a Win Model 70!

Or as Ganyana called them during the Zimbabwe PH Test WinJammers (he didn't have much good to say about Rem M700s (broken extractors) Rugers or Weatherbys for that matter). What do you call a M700 that will only shoot 1 1/2" groups? Winchester Match Grade ...

 

[enysse]

Or as Ganyana called them during the Zimbabwe PH Test WinJammers (he didn't have much good to say about Rem M700s (broken extractors) Rugers or Weatherbys for that matter). What do you call a M700 that will only shoot 1 1/2" groups? Winchester Match Grade ...

I have Super Grade in the 7mm Rem Mag....bought it ridiculously cheap compared to what they go for now. Honestly my favorite rifle.

 

[colorado]

We have two M70s one in 264 Win Mag (pre 64) and a LH Stainless Classic for my oldest son in 416 Rem Mag. Both are nice rifles.

I have no experience hunting leopards, I do remember from my childhood reading a Jim Corbett book in which he starts putting leather armor around his neck in preparation for going into the thick stuff after a wounded man-eating leopard. That man had grit!

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

" Originally Posted by Primo661
A story that I heard a few years ago of a hunter tracking a leopard he knew to live in the area and the spoor led him into an area with thick bush on a rocky outcrop at which point he decided to sling his rifle and draw his revolver. Not long after, he got that eerie feeling that something wasn't right, and the saying 'The hair on the back of your neck never lies' was proven once again. He stopped in his tracks and looked up, just as he did so the leopard pounced and, by chance, in his panic he pulled off a shot that found its mark. If he had made the mistake of continuing to track with his rifle in hand, it could have been a very different ending."

PRIMO, this sounds very much like Roy Sparks's story, I for one do not rate hand guns on Leopard, I use my 470 or my 460,

Many guys like their shot guns I just do it my way or rather the way I was taught....I use to carry a semi Auto 12 ga on the hounds hunts I use to do with Jason Docherty, but even with a shot gun we both got on the wrong end of a cat... Which brought about my change in attitude.. Well it could have gone either way...

Aahhh shotgun vs. Rifle the never ending debate....

I just prefer what I prefer... As far as Leopard being dangerous, I don't think I have to explain to anyone here what they are capable of... In a matter of split seconds.....

PS. Gavin they quickly qualify if you wound them, especially from a blind and following them up at night..... I have lost a Tom to hyena before and vowed never to have that happen again... Believe me reality quickly sets in when tracking Leopard at night,

due to the fact that I do not wish anyone on this thread pi- - ing in their pants just kidding!

I will not explain to much, I believe though that it is painstakingly clear what the complications and risks are..

My best always

 

[Henri van Aswegen]

Jaco agree with you on the shotgun issue. Also had a close call with leopard using shotgun. As to them being dangerous, they were not included into the big 5 because of their size.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Hello makulu boss! Henri!!

 

[jand]

" Originally Posted by Primo661
A story that I heard a few years ago of a hunter tracking a leopard he knew to live in the area and the spoor led him into an area with thick bush on a rocky outcrop at which point he decided to sling his rifle and draw his revolver. Not long after, he got that eerie feeling that something wasn't right, and the saying 'The hair on the back of your neck never lies' was proven once again. He stopped in his tracks and looked up, just as he did so the leopard pounced and, by chance, in his panic he pulled off a shot that found its mark. If he had made the mistake of continuing to track with his rifle in hand, it could have been a very different ending."

PRIMO, this sounds very much like Roy Sparks's story, I for one do not rate hand guns on Leopard, I use my 470 or my 460,

Many guys like their shot guns I just do it my way or rather the way I was taught....I use to carry a semi Auto 12 ga on the hounds hunts I use to do with Jason Docherty, but even with a shot gun we both got on the wrong end of a cat... Which brought about my change in attitude.. Well it could have gone either way...

Aahhh shotgun vs. Rifle the never ending debate....

I just prefer what I prefer... As far as Leopard being dangerous, I don't think I have to explain to anyone here what they are capable of... In a matter of split seconds.....

PS. Gavin they quickly qualify if you wound them, especially from a blind and following them up at night..... I have lost a Tom to hyena before and vowed never to have that happen again... Believe me reality quickly sets in when tracking Leopard at night,

due to the fact that I do not wish anyone on this thread pi- - ing in their pants just kidding!

I will not explain to much, I believe though that it is painstakingly clear what the complications and risks are..

My best always

Highly debatable subject this.
Over the years I've hunted my fair share of Cats and I'm quite opinionated on the subject . I've followed up numerous wounded cats by day and night. Now that I'm grey and hopefully wiser , I am of the firm believe that no PH should be following up a wounded cat at night . The risk is not worth it. Its definitely a macho thing to do and very noble , but its not smart. No reasonable hunter can expect that of his PH. I will however put down a pack of hounds on the wounded cat at night.

I've been present at both Leopard and Lion maulings , its not pretty. Following him up in the day is extremely dangerous , at night it is tempting fate.

Gavin does have a point however that hunting a leopard out of a blind poses very little danger -- until he's wounded of course.

a friend of mine who got mauled by a leopard a few years ago tells me that the only way to describe it is to take a tumble dryer , throw a roll of razor wire in there , and then climb in there at high speed !

I've personally seen a leopard flinch on a blast of a shotgun in the face at close quarters and survive to attack again. Unless you're shooting slugs ,Shotguns are for bird hunting. I believe in a large calibre rifle that you can shoot well. But that's just me....

 

[bellero]

Good read about a famous man killer leo right here

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

Jaco I think we all agree that anything wounded is certainly more dangerous, many wounded Bushbuck tales around. It remains my firm opinion that shooting from a blind is not dangerous.

Each to their own, but dangerous game hunting means the hunter must test if there is some weight in his trousers, walking up to a snarling, spitting, rasping cat and shooting it within close quaters is a much better test of a mans character that taking a few moments away from the Kindle to pull the trigger of a pre-set rifle aimed almost spot on target from a comouflaged hide away at 80-100 yards. (added a bit of drama for good effect)

Tiger were hunted from Elephant back, Jaguar over hounds, Lion on foot, Bear over hounds......it's only relatively recently that the safari industry has adopoted bait & blind for leopard. It makes logistical and economical sense but not dangerous.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Highly debatable subject this.
Over the years I've hunted my fair share of Cats and I'm quite opinionated on the subject . I've followed up numerous wounded cats by day and night. Now that I'm grey and hopefully wiser , I am of the firm believe that no PH should be following up a wounded cat at night . The risk is not worth it. Its definitely a macho thing to do and very noble , but its not smart. No reasonable hunter can expect that o6f his PH. I will however put down a pack of hounds on the wounded cat at night.

I've been present at both Leopard and Lion maulings , its not pretty. Following him up in the day is extremely dangerous , at night it is tempting fate.

Gavin does have a point however that hunting a leopard out of a blind poses very little danger -- until he's wounded of course.

a friend of mine who got mauled by a leopard a few years ago tells me that the only way to describe it is to take a tumble dryer , throw a roll of razor wire in there , and then climb in there at high speed !

I've personally seen a leopard flinch on a blast of a shotgun in the face at close quarters and survive to attack again. Unless you're shooting slugs ,Shotguns are for bird hunting. I believe in a large calibre rifle that you can shoot well. But that's just me....

Highly debated for sure Shumba Macho has nothing to do with it to be quite frank, every situation as on every hunt is assessed, this as you know comes with experience.

To clarify, if i feel positive in terms of shot placement, I FOLLOW IT UP.

Still shotgun IMO not the appropriate fire arm.
Gavin i do not differ with your interpretation of dangerous but i believe the entire hunt changes shape once you set foot out of the blind to follow up at night.

I will say it again having lost a clients Leopard to hyena by not following up that night taught me some valuable lessons as well.

If i am confident in the shot I follow up at night, granted sometimes i am wrong in my assessment, and will then re asses the situation I am confronted with.

On hunting methods i have conducted numerous hound hunts with many of my clients and to be quite honest while they are EXCITING, I do prefer baited hunts.

I also believe your interpretation of baited hunts to be very one sided, and bordering on rude and slightly uninformed, at the risk of possibly being interpreted in a less than friendly or polite manner i will however refrain of speaking my mind or personal feelings on hound hunts..... but I know you are a hound man which is all good

My best always

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Jaco I think we all agree that anything wounded is certainly more dangerous, many wounded Bushbuck tales around. It remains my firm opinion that shooting from a blind is not dangerous.

Each to their own, but dangerous game hunting means the hunter must test if there is some weight in his trousers, walking up to a snarling, spitting, rasping cat and shooting it within close quaters is a much better test of a mans character that taking a few moments away from the Kindle to pull the trigger of a pre-set rifle aimed almost spot on target from a comouflaged hide away at 80-100 yards. (added a bit of drama for good effect)

Tiger were hunted from Elephant back, Jaguar over hounds, Lion on foot, Bear over hounds......it's only relatively recently that the safari industry has adopoted bait & blind for leopard. It makes logistical and economical sense but not dangerous.

Gavin to be quite honest i expected a more even weighted opinion from your side with regards to blind hunting, specialy when i take into consideration that we elected you to the EXCO of LHLF in limpopo province where i believe hound hunts to be illegal.

To me this is quite a surprise, and a bit if a shock.

My best always