In your opinion, what is the best time of year to hunt leopard? Also your thoughts on moon phase during leopard hunting?

I took mine in Zambia in late August.....we had 4 cats feed on 5 baits. I think it would depend on the area you are hunting....but would imagine that June-September...dryer months would be best. Your PH should be able to give you an answer.
PM Mark Young here on the forums....he did me right!

Gary
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Whatever time of year, I'd try to hunt when the moon is pretty dark. I would not want to hunt them on a full moon. Also, would not want to hunt them when warthogs and impala are dropping their young.

I've shot mine in June and July, both in Zim. One on a full moon and one on the dark of the moon. I saw lots of cat activity on both hunts and I saw multiple leopards on each hunt. As a result, I don't subscribe to the "only hunt on the dark of the moon" school of thought.

I'd say May, June, July are your top months for Zim with August still OK. Later and the baits will ruin in two days b/c of the heat. My next two tries will be in July (2011) and June (2012) as well.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
I've shot mine in June and July, both in Zim. One on a full moon and one on the dark of the moon. I saw lots of cat activity on both hunts and I saw multiple leopards on each hunt. As a result, I don't subscribe to the "only hunt on the dark of the moon" school of thought.

Pretty accurate statement, moon means nothing!

Time of year, all depends on the area you're hunting. Coldest months, usually best as cats are more active and baits last longer. Most important aspect is location, location, location!

Good luck and good cat hunting.

Well, I just learned something. I would not have thought hunting them on a big moon would be as productive. The point about cooler months and baits lasting makes a lot of sense.

The one I shot over bait, I believe the moon was at about 1/2, and the other we got by tracking, so who cared what the moon was on that one.

From experience, moon phase makes no difference to the cat though it may be of some assistance to the hunter. Leopards are not squeamish if their food is "well hung" in fact the maggots are like "dressing on salad" - also one of the reasons why a scratch or bite from a Leopard gives rise to serious infections and requires heavy doses of antibiotics.
The time of year (Sept/Oct) makes Leopard hunting the hardest and can be a pain in the ass when foaling takes place - "Thanksgiving" period for Leopard.

Lambing time varies from area to area and you need to avoid that but from my experience the moon phase doesn't matter. After all, the cat still gets hungry and still wants to eat no matter what the moon phase and in fact, I find them more accommodating towards full moon because they tend to come to bait between sunset and moonrise so you get to shoot him at a more convenient time.

The trick is to put a good thick roof on the blind to stop all light, even starlight shining into the blind.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
I've shot mine in June and July, both in Zim. One on a full moon and one on the dark of the moon. I saw lots of cat activity on both hunts and I saw multiple leopards on each hunt. As a result, I don't subscribe to the "only hunt on the dark of the moon" school of thought.

Pretty accurate statement, moon means nothing!

Time of year, all depends on the area you're hunting. Coldest months, usually best as cats are more active and baits last longer. Most important aspect is location, location, location!

Good luck and good cat hunting.

agree with both above with the most important
local, local, local....

More important than moon phase is make sure you have enought time to hunt.

The hunt I shot my leopard we hung baits for 4 or 5 days and had no hits -- tracks all around including one that walked down a road with 20 feet of the bait tree 2 straight days.

The next day we had hits of multiple baits and got my cat late on the 4th afternoon we starting sitting in the blind (no shooting after dark).