quote:

From what I know at this time the best chance to kill a leopard and only do one hunt is along the Luangwa in Zambia and in the best areas of the Selous.

In general, Tanzania has an over abundance of Leopard and not restricted to any particular area, especially when reading "in the best areas of the Selous".

I have hunted the Selous quite extensively and not found much difference between one block and the other when it comes to Leopard concentrations.

If we want to talk about other species of game availability, I'll go with that.

One needs two things to produce monster cats : Genetics , and an ample food source. The Limpopo province in South Africa certainly ticks both those boxes. Thanks to Game and cattle ranches there is more than enough food around for these cats to grow to their full potential.

Limpopo in South Africa ( particularly the soutpansberg mountains , the lowveld and escarpment area ) , the Lowveld of Zimbabwe and Kafue in Zambia seem to me to be the most constant producing big cat areas.

Northern Mozambique and Southern Tanzania ( Selous ) by comparison seem to produce smaller cats , although there are plenty of them.

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One needs two things to produce monster cats : Genetics , and an ample food source.

Dead right!

By and large the Selous genetics indeed tend to produce smaller (but stocky) cats though monsters are not uncommon; their coats too tend to be of a darker shade to that of its cousins further north who on average are larger bodied and have lighter coats.

These variations in coat colours is a result of differing habitats - the former of the cats being a resident within a forested area with differing shades of greens, brown and greys whilst the latter inhabits a savannah type ambience and coat colours are all related to camouflage.

Too much protein in the diet. Reduce meat and feed sweet potatoes and carrots with rice. Steroids for the hot spots and a no-lick collar until they start to heal.

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Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Too much protein in the diet. Reduce meat and feed sweet potatoes and carrots with rice. Steroids for the hot spots and a no-lick collar until they start to heal.

Yeah I know what you mean.Those leopards were on the surestrike diet plan no doubt.

Sorry, but doctor advised I wasn't getting enough silliness in my life. He said it was needed to offset time spent in the Political Forum.

With the surestrike plan no glycogen goes to the brain.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys,

From what I know at this time the best chance to kill a leopard and only do one hunt is along the Luangwa in Zambia and in the best areas of the Selous.

Mark

You may want to add the Niassa Reserve of Mozambique to your list.

Cheers
Jim

I may have a new best spot to refer clients for leopard. Had a client arrive Sichifulo GMA in the Kafue yesterday for a 10 day leopard/buff/sable/roan etc. safari with Johnny Du Plooy. After settling into camp and checking the rifles they promptly shot a warthog and hung it as a leopard bait in a likely spot. Today the cat pictured is in the salt. 1 day, 1 bait, 1 leopard. Tell about "Geta Done".

I'll let the client if he chooses make a detailed report later but I thought some might like to see that leopards don't have to always be a struggle when you hunt with good people, in a good area with a little luck.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:


I may have a new best spot to refer clients for leopard. Had a client arrive Sichifulo GMA in the Kafue yesterday for a 10 day leopard/buff/sable/roan etc. safari with Johnny Du Plooy. After settling into camp and checking the rifles they promptly shot a warthog and hung it as a leopard bait in a likely spot. Today the cat pictured is in the salt. 1 day, 1 bait, 1 leopard. Tell about "Geta Done".

I'll let the client if he chooses make a detailed report later but I thought some might like to see that leopards don't have to always be a struggle when you hunt with good people, in a good area with a little luck.

Mark

To add to your comment. As you know, I hunted with the duPlooy's extensively. I killed two Leopards and one Lion with them. I have a GRAND TOTAL of 7 sittings for 3 cats. (Nyaminga and Chanjuzi)

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Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:To add to your comment. As you know, I hunted with the duPlooy's extensively. I killed two Leopards and one Lion with them. I have a GRAND TOTAL of 7 sittings for 3 cats. (Nyaminga and Chanjuzi)

I love when my wife tells our leopard hunt story and innocently ends with "and we had to sit in the blind for almost 3 hours..." especially when she is telling it to a hunter that sat in a blind for 60 days without killing one.

I'll recommend the Upper Lupande in the Luangwa Valley now that I'm fortunate enough to speak from experience. Thanks Buzz and Mario!

quote:

Originally posted by MikeBurke:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:To add to your comment. As you know, I hunted with the duPlooy's extensively. I killed two Leopards and one Lion with them. I have a GRAND TOTAL of 7 sittings for 3 cats. (Nyaminga and Chanjuzi)

I love when my wife tells our leopard hunt story and innocently ends with "and we had to sit in the blind for almost 3 hours..." especially when she is telling it to a hunter that sat in a blind for 60 days without killing one.

Three hours???

That's not even long enough for your butt to get sore.

Tygersman

I am VERY happy with your result- what a beautiful leopard! I have been away for a long weekend but am back again! I hope to see a report on your fantastic hunt!!!

Here's a big Kafue cat I took as a client back in 2010:



After hunting as a client, I came back as an appy for two seasons in the Lunga Luswishi, with time also spent hunting leopards in Nkala and Namwala--two other GMAs farther south in the Kafue region. I saw huge tracks on every leopard hunt I was involved in while in the Lunga Luswishi. We didn't always shoot a monster, but the chance was always there. As compared to the other two areas, there were clearly more big cats in Lunga Luswishi, and I'm sure Mumbwa West would be similar--or at least it was back then. As always, the difference is having lots of prey available for the leopards. Lunga is covered up with impala, puku, and warthogs--perfect food for growing big leopards.