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Leopard

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12 March 2015, 04:47
Todd Williams
Leopard
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
Frostbit
Beautiful!! Who mounted it?


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Hunt Reports

2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112
2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012
DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191
Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771
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Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141
12 March 2015, 05:41
Todd Williams
Roy 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
txsouthpaw
That'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. Nelson
Beautiful!!! A great memory for sure!

Best regards, D. Nelson
12 March 2015, 06:51
pagosawingnut
Nice! Very nice. That's one animal still on my list.
12 March 2015, 16:33
bwanajay
Nice Todd.

Super taxidermy work with a very natural look.
12 March 2015, 16:45
retreever
Looks good Todd.


Mike


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12 March 2015, 16:56
subsailor74
Very nice mount Todd - the trophy and the memories are priceless!
12 March 2015, 17:12
boarkiller
Pretty cool


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12 March 2015, 19:23
Dave Fulson
Pretty Kitty brother!


Dave Fulson
12 March 2015, 19:49
jeff h
Very Nice! Congrats you will enjoy that for all the years to come.


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12 March 2015, 20:03
cal pappas
Todd:
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


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12 March 2015, 20:12
juanpozzi
Beautifull sir ,a lifetime trophy .


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12 March 2015, 20:51
AnotherAZWriter
I agree with Cal; cats are tough, especially lions. My taxidermist (Southwest Wildlife) does a superb job on cats.


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12 March 2015, 22:00
A.Dahlgren
Well done!


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13 March 2015, 00:58
MacD37
Congratulations Todd! That is a beautiful cat!

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13 March 2015, 04:50
GOB
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.


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13 March 2015, 10:48
Todd Williams
Makuti 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
Pondoro
Indeed a beautiful cat... Smiler



13 March 2015, 17:33
df06
Very nice
Someday I want to shoot one of those


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14 March 2015, 03:28
Slider
Beautiful!!!