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Leopard
12 March 2015, 04:47
Todd WilliamsLeopard
My very first post on AR was a hunt report, at the urging of my PH, for a leopard / tuskless adventure with Charlton McCallum Safaris back in 2011. A very memorable hunt in Makuti where my youngest son accompanied me. Rich Tabor was the PH with Blake Welhelmi as appy. That we finally scored is a testament to Rich's incredible drive as a professional and his "never give up" attitude.
At noon on day 12 of a scheduled 14 day hunt, we had 0 cats feeding with 11 of 12 baits checked. I had all but resigned myself that success was not in the cards this time. That final remaining bait site, checked around 1:00pm on day 12 had been totally smashed. Rich developed a plan and we finally outsmarted the old boy at first light on day 13 after listening to him munch on a buffalo hind quarter for a couple of hours before shooting light at a distance of 35 yards. Longest period of time I can remember while waiting for daylight!!
I prioritize my taxidermy work as funds allow as I'm more interested in hunting now while I can, with most of my mounts to be completed later. That said, I received my leopard a little while back and am just now getting around to posting a photo. I find photos of cats to be challenging in terms of capturing all of the detail and representing them accurately. That said, here is the final outcome from that hunt. I'm very pleased with the result.
12 March 2015, 05:33
FrostbitBeautiful!! Who mounted it?
12 March 2015, 05:41
Todd WilliamsRoy Holdridge of True Life Taxidermy in Granbury, TX did the mount. He does outstanding work. If not mistaken, he was one of the sponsors on the Boddington on Leopard DVD that Safari Clasics produced.
12 March 2015, 05:47
txsouthpawThat's a very impressive mount, Todd. It's something that will bring fond memories every time you look at it.
12 March 2015, 06:15
D. NelsonBeautiful!!! A great memory for sure!
Best regards, D. Nelson
12 March 2015, 06:51
pagosawingnutNice! Very nice. That's one animal still on my list.
12 March 2015, 16:33
bwanajayNice Todd.
Super taxidermy work with a very natural look.
12 March 2015, 16:45
retreeverLooks good Todd.
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
12 March 2015, 16:56
subsailor74Very nice mount Todd - the trophy and the memories are priceless!
12 March 2015, 17:12
boarkillerPretty cool
" Until the day breaks and the nights shadows flee away " Big ivory for my pillow and 2.5% of Neanderthal DNA flowing thru my veins.
When I'm ready to go, pack a bag of gunpowder up my ass and strike a fire to my pecker, until I squeal like a boar.
Yours truly , Milan The Boarkiller - World according to Milan
PS I have big boar on my floor...but it ain't dead, just scared to move...
Man should be happy and in good humor until the day he dies...
Only fools hope to live forever
“ Hávamál”
12 March 2015, 19:23
Dave FulsonPretty Kitty brother!
Dave Fulson
12 March 2015, 19:49
jeff hVery Nice! Congrats you will enjoy that for all the years to come.
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12 March 2015, 20:03
cal pappasTodd:
Very nice. I'm impress with good cat mounts. The body portion is generally easy to do and realistic on most, if not all, cat mounts. There met be something difficult about the face of a cat mount as so many have idiotic expressions--so many so I never had a cat mount done. Yours captures the true look of a leopard. Congratulations on both the hunt and the mount.
Cal
_______________________________
Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.comwww.CalPappas.blogspot.com1994 Zimbabwe
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1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation
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______________________________
12 March 2015, 20:12
juanpozziBeautifull sir ,a lifetime trophy .
www.huntinginargentina.com.ar FULL PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF IPHA INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS ASOCIATION .
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12 March 2015, 20:51
AnotherAZWriterI agree with Cal; cats are tough, especially lions. My taxidermist (Southwest Wildlife) does a superb job on cats.
12 March 2015, 22:00
A.DahlgrenWell done!
13 March 2015, 00:58
MacD37Congratulations Todd! That is a beautiful cat!
....................................................................

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982
Hands of Old Elmer Keith
Fantastic leopard and a beautiful mount.
We are going to be in MAKUTI in May for a 16 day buffalo, leopard, elephant hunt plus the odd plains game.
We shall be hunting with Tanya Blake and Dean Kendal. Would anyone mind sharing their thoughts on MAKUTI.
13 March 2015, 10:48
Todd WilliamsMakuti is hilly, bordering on mountainous. Best to be in really good shape to hunt that area. It's an absolutely beautiful place however.
I hope you have a good hunt there.
13 March 2015, 14:51
PondoroIndeed a beautiful cat...

Very nice
Someday I want to shoot one of those
NRA Patron member
14 March 2015, 03:28
SliderBeautiful!!!