MOZAMBIQUE: Mozambique Leopard Hunt - A Bust, But...

[Sideshow]

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.

El Bundt crocs ohooo heard of plenty that contained bracelets. Cheers for the reply. Must be grime for your skinners. As I’m sure they will know people that have been mugged by them.

 

[Franco]

El Bundt crocs ohooo heard of plenty that contained bracelets. Cheers for the reply. Must be grime for your skinners. As I’m sure they will know people that have been mugged by them.

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.

 

[TheGrayRider]

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 of any other game animals. For full disclosure, I told the PH I wasn't interested in sable, kudu, waterbuck, or bushbuck because I already had fine examples of each.

To be fair, we did get a glimpse of a few animals, but the density of the grass severely impacted any shot opportunity.

Previous leopard hunts were combined and produced very good results.

My first failed leopard attempt produced 31 other animal including 4 trophy cape buffalo.

My second failure - 2 elephants, 1 rhino, 1 cape buffalo, and about a dozen others

My 3rd attempt - 1 elephant, 1 lion, and another assorted dozen

I've had unsuccessful days, unsuccessful weeks, but this was a first. (Note: I did shoot a small croc who was making a pest of himself in camp)

One of my best friends, a very experienced hunter, said, "That's why it's called hunting".

I suppose when you've had the good fortune of previous success it's easy to trick yourself into the false sense of a guaranteed outcome.

As I stated in my original post, both outfitter and PH have extended the opportunity to come back when conditions are more favorable. That area has a record of proven success, I was just there at a bad time.

Best of luck on your upcoming hunt. Sounds like a tough one. The words backpacking and mountains in the same sentence are enough to scare me away.

I'm sure I'll recover, I've got a couple hunts already scheduled for the remainder of the year, and my Heym 500 double will be here end of the month - I'll find something to shoot with it.

Update: Hi, Franco. You are definitely not alone. No luck again on a 13 day backpack hunt for a legal dall sheep ram in the Brooks Range of Alaska. We hiked over 60 miles in Unit 25A and saw 51 sheep (11 of them were sublegal rams), 8 grizzly bears, 5 wolves, and caribou.

We didn’t glass a single legal, full curl ram over the entire hunt. I was hunting with Big Game Big Country Outfitters in Unit 25A. I returned to this unit again because we bumped a legal ram on the hunt in August 2020. I was the first hunter of the season and we went to their “historically” best areas for attempted success. Again, nothing full-curl or legal - very perplexing…

Notwithstanding, we did kill an old, big male Artic wolf and I lost over 10 pounds over the 2 weeks.

The Alaska Game and Fish employee in Fairbanks said that over 25% of the collared sheep in Unit 25 died this past winter due to weather. I should have tried this hunt about 15 years ago when populations and numbers were much higher. 4 of 13 hunters (31%) killed legal sheep last year with 3 outfitters in this area.

I am giving up? No, but dall sheep appear to be my nemesis. Next hunt already scheduled is blue sheep in Nepal, Fall 2026.

Good luck tracking down that baited leopard. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Green Chile]

I am giving up? No, but dall sheep appear to be my nemesis. Next hunt already scheduled is blue sheep in Nepal, Fall 2026.

Congrats on the wolf! Your blue sheep hunt is easily one of the toughest in the world. It's legendary among sheep hunters. Good luck to you sir!

 

[Safari1]

Sounds like there is simply no game there other than crocs and an occasional leopard

 

[LivingTheDream]

Update: Hi, Franco. You are definitely not alone. No luck again on a 13 day backpack hunt for a legal dall sheep ram in the Brooks Range of Alaska. We hiked over 60 miles in Unit 25A and saw 51 sheep (11 of them were sublegal rams), 8 grizzly bears, 5 wolves, and caribou.

We didn’t glass a single legal, full curl ram over the entire hunt. I was hunting with Big Game Big Country Outfitters in Unit 25A. I returned to this unit again because we bumped a legal ram on the hunt in August 2020. I was the first hunter of the season and we went to their “historically” best areas for attempted success. Again, nothing full-curl or legal - very perplexing…

Notwithstanding, we did kill an old, big male Artic wolf and I lost over 10 pounds over the 2 weeks.

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The Alaska Game and Fish employee in Fairbanks said that over 25% of the collared sheep in Unit 25 died this past winter due to weather. I should have tried this hunt about 15 years ago when populations and numbers were much higher. 4 of 13 hunters (31%) killed legal sheep last year with 3 outfitters in this area.

I am giving up? No, but dall sheep appear to be my nemesis. Next hunt already scheduled is blue sheep in Nepal, Fall 2026.

Good luck tracking down that baited leopard. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

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Sorry to hear this! Knew how much you were looking forward to it and the work you put in. Sounds like the hunting gods owe you, so should be an epic blue sheep hunt!

 

[Franco]

Update: Hi, Franco. You are definitely not alone. No luck again on a 13 day backpack hunt for a legal dall sheep ram in the Brooks Range of Alaska. We hiked over 60 miles in Unit 25A and saw 51 sheep (11 of them were sublegal rams), 8 grizzly bears, 5 wolves, and caribou.

We didn’t glass a single legal, full curl ram over the entire hunt. I was hunting with Big Game Big Country Outfitters in Unit 25A. I returned to this unit again because we bumped a legal ram on the hunt in August 2020. I was the first hunter of the season and we went to their “historically” best areas for attempted success. Again, nothing full-curl or legal - very perplexing…

Notwithstanding, we did kill an old, big male Artic wolf and I lost over 10 pounds over the 2 weeks.

View attachment 709660

The Alaska Game and Fish employee in Fairbanks said that over 25% of the collared sheep in Unit 25 died this past winter due to weather. I should have tried this hunt about 15 years ago when populations and numbers were much higher. 4 of 13 hunters (31%) killed legal sheep last year with 3 outfitters in this area.

I am giving up? No, but dall sheep appear to be my nemesis. Next hunt already scheduled is blue sheep in Nepal, Fall 2026.

Good luck tracking down that baited leopard. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

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Tom,

Sorry to hear of your lack of success. Awesome pictures; it had to be an incredible experience. You said two of the words which would keep me away, hiking and camping.
Congratulation on the wolf. Hopefully one day we will both have something to celebrate.
Best of luck on your next hunt.

 

[PARA45]

Update: Hi, Franco. You are definitely not alone. No luck again on a 13 day backpack hunt for a legal dall sheep ram in the Brooks Range of Alaska. We hiked over 60 miles in Unit 25A and saw 51 sheep (11 of them were sublegal rams), 8 grizzly bears, 5 wolves, and caribou.

We didn’t glass a single legal, full curl ram over the entire hunt. I was hunting with Big Game Big Country Outfitters in Unit 25A. I returned to this unit again because we bumped a legal ram on the hunt in August 2020. I was the first hunter of the season and we went to their “historically” best areas for attempted success. Again, nothing full-curl or legal - very perplexing…

Notwithstanding, we did kill an old, big male Artic wolf and I lost over 10 pounds over the 2 weeks.

View attachment 709660

The Alaska Game and Fish employee in Fairbanks said that over 25% of the collared sheep in Unit 25 died this past winter due to weather. I should have tried this hunt about 15 years ago when populations and numbers were much higher. 4 of 13 hunters (31%) killed legal sheep last year with 3 outfitters in this area.

I am giving up? No, but dall sheep appear to be my nemesis. Next hunt already scheduled is blue sheep in Nepal, Fall 2026.

Good luck tracking down that baited leopard. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

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Beautiful wolf and beautiful scenery. I've never seen a wolf in real life or in captivity, and I didn't realize they were that big, wow!!! If you don't mind me asking as a reference, how tall are you?

 

[TheGrayRider]

Beautiful wolf and beautiful scenery. I've never seen a wolf in real life or in captivity, and I didn't realize they were that big, wow!!! If you don't mind me asking as a reference, how tall are you?

I am right at 5 foot 10 inches and a "slim and trim" 215 lbs after that hunt.

Happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you! Wow, that wolf is quite big and long.

 

[Rare Breed]

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 in Dallas was a breeze, Emirates weighs ammo only and allows it in a checked bag. I did have it in a small Pelican case inside my larger bag. Next was the rifles, I was escorted to TSA where the agent had me unlock my Tuffpak, he removed the soft cases, unzipped them, asked if they were loaded, zipped them up and put them back in the Tuffpak - no inspection of any kind.

Transit thru Dubai was quick and easy. Retrieved bags in Joburg with assistance from rep from Rifle Permits, proceeded to the Police for inspection. The 3 women behind the counter were more concerned with their cellphones and one of them finally asked me to read her the serial numbers. I repeated the number of the first rifle as I removed it from the case and she said, "If you know the other one just tell me" - I did, she took a quick look at my paperwork and I was out the door and on my way. That was it.

I spent the night at the Hotel Intercontinental and the next morning I was met by the Rifle Permits reps and checked in for my flight on Airlink to Tete. Check-in was easy, the agent did require the ammo to be weighed while in the case, but looked up at me and said, "5 kilos - perfect". The departure Police check went much like the night before.

The flight to Tete was uneventful, but the inspection upon arrival was tedious. Every round of ammo was counted - twice, and several were removed for inspection; I think more for curiosity than any other reason. Same with the rifles, multiple inspectors - mostly just wanting a look. Once they were satisfied I was out the door.

Spent a couple nights in Tete awaiting the arrival of the PH. Once he arrived, we drove about 4 hours to the north to a camp on the Luia River.

As we neared the camp, the first thing I noticed (and I'm not that experienced) was the abundance of high grass - so high and thick you couldn't see, if there was an animal in the grass you would not have seen it.

The PH was Gav Lipjes of Panther Trackers, and we were on a concession owned by Graham Cawood. Gav hunts with dogs so the plan was to harvest some bait, set it out, wait for a hit, and send in the hounds.

Our first morning got off to a rough start. Gav's truck broke down which provided us with the opportunity of a 6 hour hike back to camp. It also included, as a bonus, a swift water river crossing. The swift water was chosen to reduce the probability of a croc. It did not reduce the probability of a 72 year old man slipping on the wet rocks and falling in. After drying off, we resumed our trek to camp.

Several days of driving around yielded no bait animals, in fact, it became quite clear - there were no animals of any kind, and if there were - you couldn't see them.

The decision was made to buy cows and goats and bait with those. No need to make a long story longer - 17 baits, 21 days, and not one hit - nothing. The PH made several calls to other areas hoping we might be able to get something and he was told - "Don't bother, there's nothing here".

At the end of 21 days I told the PH it was time to go. (Note: another group moved into the area a few days after we left and for the following 2 weeks - the results were the same).

We moved to Graham's camp just up river from Tete in hopes of getting a croc or two.

Crocs were there, but not that easy to get. They would emerge onto sandbars in the middle of the river and disappear when an attempt was made to approach by boat. Graham's method involved setting up in a blind and waiting for a croc to appear, or - finding a spot on shore close enough to take a shot.

Crocs in the 10' to 12' range were plentiful, but I was looking for something bigger. Finally, on about day 4 we spotted a decent size croc - not big and bulky, but definitely longer than 12'. Only one problem - he's on a small sandbar not much bigger than him, and it's at least 200 yds to the closest bank. "Well, let's take a look - you can always say no", Gav said, and he directed the boat to the nearest shore. Once ashore we hiked to a spot directly across and nearest the sandbar.

It was fairly easy to remain concealed as we made our way along the bank because the locals pile thorn brush on the bank to contain their livestock. We finally reached our destination - a goat pen - a muddy, goat poop filled goat pen. I worked my way into position, the cross poles provided a solid rest, Gav had a shot bag to help steady the rifle, and I was up to my ass kneeling in mud and poop. I considered my options - take the shot, or trek back thru the thorn bushes only this time covered in mud and goat crap. I ranged it at 228 yds, there was no wind and the crosshairs were rock steady. Deep breath, let it out slow, and squeeze.

He measured right at 15', not massive - but long.

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Two days later we were directed farther up river, a "monster" was seen hanging out on a small island in the middle of the river. "The only way to get this guy is to somehow get onto the island undetected and crawl your way into close range" said Graham, and he added his guys had cut a narrow path from the far end, thru the brush, to a spot were we (me) could drop down close to the croc. Close range, thru brush, crawling - sounds like double rifle, the PH and Graham agreed.

We loaded into the boat and set out up river. After an hour's ride we spotted the island and there was the croc - laid out enjoying the sun. We stopped about 1000 yds short and went ashore to devise our plan. I hiked up the shore and the closest point to the croc was 800 yds out - no way. The boys came up with a plan - 2 guys would walk along the shore dragging the boat with ropes while the other 2 would remain in the boat and use poles. Gav and I would walk to a point far enough up river so as to drift back to the island.

Those guys crawled thru thorn bushes and waded waist deep along the shore to get that boat where it needed to be. They were bound and determined to get me into position. Once we reached our point up river we put in and began our drift; only it soon became obvious we were going to miss. The guys started polling and got back into the water to reposition the boat for another try.

This time we went farther up river and used the motor to get more into the middle of the river; and it worked, we collided with the island and stepped out onto the path. We made our way to the end of the path, crawling the last bit to stay out of sight. Gav crawled thru the brush and looked at the beach - no croc. But he soon realized he wasn't at the very end. A few more feet and there he was - fast asleep. Gav directed me thru the brush to a spot where I could slide down the bank into a pile of reeds. I was at the water level, concealed by the reeds. I made a hole in the reeds and I was staring, nose-to-nose, eye-level with a croc - 20 yds away.

My first reaction was "Holy Shit", so were my 2nd and 3rd. It had taken 3 hours to get into this position, all I could think was, "Don't F this up". I raised my double and put the bead right on his nose. I was dead center and there was crocodile hanging out on either side of my rifle. The 1st shot hit just above the snout and went straight into his brain, blood began to pour out of the wound as I raised up and fired the 2nd barrel. This shot hit just a bit higher with the same path - but wasn't necessary, he was dead on the 1st shot - he never moved. But, deader is better than dead - so Gav put a couple in him as I reloaded and gave him 1 more just because.

He only measured 15'9", but he's missing 9 sections of his tail. Based on the size of the remaining sections, Graham estimates his length would have been around 17'7".

Here's a couple pictures. I tried to post a drone video but it wouldn't work.



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I have to say the leopard portion of the hunt was a real disappointment; but the croc is not something I'll forget.

As far as the return home; same tedious inspection in Tete, but Joburg was a breeze.

I've spoken with several friends who have been in the same area in Moz with the same report of a lack of game. Some are saying it's due to late rains and the high, heavy grass which makes hunting easy for the leopards, but Gav has strike hounds - and he ran them thru river beds, and over mountains - not one hit.

For now, I think I've given up on leopards - at least for awhile. This was my 4th attempt - all with the same result. I did find out from Chris at Hyem USA my 500 double will be here by the end of this month - hmmmm?

It seems @PANTHER TRACKERS lived up to their great reputation in they went all out to try to get you a leopard which in my opinion is the absolute toughest of the Big 5 to get which is why I have saved him for last. Also given the rain situation in Zim and Moz with records set, everyone seems to have a tough time getting one.