Fellas:
I would like your opinion on a hunt that is fairly common: buffalo and leopard. I see this hunt offered often and I would like to do it in 2020 along with hippo and croc and possibly some minor plains game; in Zimbabwe, of course. My concern is this: I can’t go without sleep now that I’m in my mid-60s like I could when I was younger and I wonder about hunting buffalo in the day after being in a blind most of the night.

I will send out some feelers soon and ask for quotes but first I wanted feedback as to the time/sleep factor from some of you gents who have been there and done that. I could go on two separate hunts; leaving the leopard for one excursion and then the other three, but would prefer to get it done in one hunt.
Thanks for your comments.
Cal

Bloody hell Cal!

You sound as if you are about to kick the bucket!

In your sixties,a nd worried about sitting in a blind and then going out to hunt buffalo??

I am going to be 69 in a couple of months, and have been doing this since before Fred married Wilma!

Hunt Zambia and you will not be sitting at night. Any of the good Luangwa blocks will do for Hippo and Croc also.

Book in the right area and you'll be doing your cat hunting in daylight. Early morning and late evening. You'll need the buffalo and other plains game for bait. More than likely, you won't be sitting for the cat until later in the hunt once you get a cat onto bait and you will have shot the buffalo days earlier. Not a guarantee, but it's the way it's worked out on the 3 leopard hunts I've done.

I'd say this isn't a concern at all.

Why loose sleep? I killed my leopard during daylight. It can certainly be done. Yes, Zimbabwe too.

Most outfitters will require you to book 14 days for this combo, some even 21. So sleep will not be a problem.

Now if you go for a hound hunt, no sleep deprivation at all! Just waddle over to the tree and you are done!

(I hate those silly icons but I could not resist!)

Cal,

You can do a leopard/buff combo in Zim with an excellent chance of success and the leopard hunt being a daylight affair. Once the leopard and buffalo are in the salt you can move to the operator's lodge on the Zambezi to pursue the croc and hippo. A chance here for a monster croc. Not a bargain hunt but not at the top of the Zim pricing either.

I've had clients just quit on the night hunt. After day 10 it just wasn't fun anymore and had become too much like work.

Mark

Thanks for your input, gentlemen.
Cal

Night hunting with lights is only allowed on private land in Zimbabwe, right?

Truthfully, it’s your hunt. Talk with the outfitter and do what you want. I have yet to get a cat at night. All mine were daytime.

Even so, leopard hunts can require long hours, depending on where the active bait is located.

I’ve never quit on one, but as long as you and your PH know you it’s for fun, stop when it’s not fun.