Would you take this shot? Leopard Video!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House

No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.

12 June 2015, 22:35

Aaron Neilson

quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
I am curious if the leopard was hit where the shooter was aiming?

I hope so, since I was the shooter!

All I know for certain Lane, is the bullet most likely hit where the crosshairs were at when I pulled the trigger. What's all this talking about where I was aiming?

Have a great day my friend.

12 June 2015, 22:35

MARK H. YOUNG

Yes! As a PH you might want the client to shoot at the leopard while he was resting not feeding as he would be stationary but if the client is confident with the shot why not take it? As in Saeed's story the leopard just might jump out of the tree as fast as he got into it. I've killed a leopard presenting a far worse shot on a lion bait. He was lying on his side facing me at a slightly down angle. I put a 300 gr bullet where the neck meets the shoulder and the Tom never moved.

Mark

12 June 2015, 22:54

Aaron Neilson

quote:
Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Yes! As a PH you might want the client to shoot at the leopard while he was resting not feeding as he would be stationary but if the client is confident with the shot why not take it? As in Saeed's story the leopard just might jump out of the tree as fast as he got into it. I've killed a leopard presenting a far worse shot on a lion bait. He was lying on his side facing me at a slightly down angle. I put a 300 gr bullet where the neck meets the shoulder and the Tom never moved.

Mark

Good point Mark, that's exactly why I asked the question.

13 June 2015, 02:16

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
I am curious if the leopard was hit where the shooter was aiming?

I hope so, since I was the shooter!

All I know for certain Lane, is the bullet most likely hit where the crosshairs were at when I pulled the trigger. What's all this talking about where I was aiming?

Have a great day my friend.

Good Answer!

Well done though my friend!

13 June 2015, 02:33

bwanajay

I would have taken the shot.

Very well done Aaron.

13 June 2015, 02:36

subsailor74

I take the shot my PH tells me to take....and not before he tells me to take it.

13 June 2015, 03:01

Poyntman

Bang!!! Down! Dead!... Simple..
When I was watching Aaron, in my mind I'm picturing what I would do and...Bang! Right when I was imagining my own shot was when yours rang out.
It was stable, shoulder forward...perfect...
The result..obvious.
Thanks for sharing some of these cool clips

13 June 2015, 04:49

Nakihunter

I have never hunted leopard but I would have definitely taken the shot and nailed it.

I was scrolling the mouse cursor over the leopard and at the shot my cursor was right on the shoulder angling the shot into both lungs and through the heart area.

Arm chair leopard - easy!

13 June 2015, 04:54

oddsix

I would not take the shot mostly because I cannot afford the trophy fee

13 June 2015, 05:02

dogcat

Yes!!!!

13 June 2015, 11:29

lavaca

Aaron, I take it that the reason you ask the question is that someone, probably your PH, questioned the shot. I understand why he did. the cat is feeding and could move, and leopards tend to move rather quickly.

I think most PH's would say wait and not take that shot. He held that position for a long time and you obviously made a great shot.

Well done.

13 June 2015, 11:46

crbutler

At 50 yards with a rest? Not an issue if you feel comfortable...

The only issue is that as mentioned above, they move fast and if he is not staying still, you could have a mess on your hands if he decided to move quickly.

I assume that you had ID'ed him as a male before the video? I am not so good with Leopard as to make the call on sex from that video bite, but if the PH gave the go ahead, I would have tried to do as well as you did.

13 June 2015, 11:50

lavaca

Some think you shouldn't set up under 100 yards. The difference is substantial.

13 June 2015, 12:00

fujotupu

quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
At 50 yards with a rest? Not an issue if you feel comfortable...

The only issue is that as mentioned above, they move fast and if he is not staying still, you could have a mess on your hands if he decided to move quickly.

I assume that you had ID'ed him as a male before the video? I am not so good with Leopard as to make the call on sex from that video bite, but if the PH gave the go ahead, I would have tried to do as well as you did.

Well answered.

13 June 2015, 18:27

Aaron Neilson

Lavaca, crbutler and Fujo - Yes, we had long since made sure he was a male. It was easy to see his "batteries" as Chris called them, when he first went into the tree - so we both knew we were good to go and knew he was a mature male. Keep in mind, this clip starts after he's been there for a couple of minutes already - it really was a no-brainer on the male ID.

Lavaca, no actually the PH never said a word - other than we both gave each other the "thumbs up" once we knew he was a shooter. An experienced hunter should NEVER need someone else to tell him/her when to shoot, nor should one be waiting for that either. If you are not sure of a good shot from a bad one, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Regardless of an animal's position, the anatomy never changes - only the angle of the shot does.

As a guide, I've long since stopped telling clients "when" to shoot, as it only seems to force them to shoot when they aren't ready. In my 24 years of experience guiding literally a couple hundred hunters now, I found they shoot best when allowed to do so without someone chirping in their ear, getting them flustered. I'll certainly tell them to "wait" if its a bad angle or something like that, or if they are asking for help, but when I'm hunting with an experienced hunter - I say nothing other than take him when "you" are ready. Otherwise I stay quiet, so he stays as calm and comfortable as possible - focusing only on the task at hand.

Honestly, Chris Trent was easily one of the best, most experienced PH's I have ever hunted with. He had the perfect demeanor/professionalism, and was happy to let me do my own thing too. I really enjoyed hunting with him, and I learned a lot from him on that 3 week safari. This leopard was one example of that. He kept telling me, big male leopards show up late in the morning - so be patient! We will sit until 8:30am - I thought he was drinking! This guy showed up at 8am, I was stunned - and Chris looked like a genius.

14 June 2015, 05:31

lavaca

very nice morning cat. Thanks for the response.

14 June 2015, 07:00

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Lavaca, crbutler and Fujo - Yes, we had long since made sure he was a male. It was easy to see his "batteries" as Chris called them, when he first went into the tree - so we both knew we were good to go and knew he was a mature male. Keep in mind, this clip starts after he's been there for a couple of minutes already - it really was a no-brainer on the male ID.

Lavaca, no actually the PH never said a word - other than we both gave each other the "thumbs up" once we knew he was a shooter. An experienced hunter should NEVER need someone else to tell him/her when to shoot, nor should one be waiting for that either. If you are not sure of a good shot from a bad one, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Regardless of an animal's position, the anatomy never changes - only the angle of the shot does.

As a guide, I've long since stopped telling clients "when" to shoot, as it only seems to force them to shoot when they aren't ready. In my 24 years of experience guiding literally a couple hundred hunters now, I found they shoot best when allowed to do so without someone chirping in their ear, getting them flustered. I'll certainly tell them to "wait" if its a bad angle or something like that, or if they are asking for help, but when I'm hunting with an experienced hunter - I say nothing other than take him when "you" are ready. Otherwise I stay quiet, so he stays as calm and comfortable as possible - focusing only on the task at hand.

Honestly, Chris Trent was easily one of the best, most experienced PH's I have ever hunted with. He had the perfect demeanor/professionalism, and was happy to let me do my own thing too. I really enjoyed hunting with him, and I learned a lot from him on that 3 week safari. This leopard was one example of that. He kept telling me, big male leopards show up late in the morning - so be patient! We will sit until 8:30am - I thought he was drinking! This guy showed up at 8am, I was stunned - and Chris looked like a genius.

That is the post of a man who has been there and done that. Pretty sage response on taking the shot.

14 June 2015, 08:40

Skyline

Is this a test?

Ya, I would have taken the shot and probably a few seconds sooner when the cat was in a different position.

Visualize the engine room and put it where it counts.

14 June 2015, 08:48

fujotupu

quote:
That is the post of a man who has been there and done that. Pretty sage response on taking the shot.

"been there and done that" ... more than several times over ..... cool as a cucumber, no jittery nerves.

Aaron, you cannot compare yourself with a first timer on Leopard or even worse, the guy who has made the journey several times and never got one.

You know, we know, there was no real need for Chris Trent being in the blind other than for the required formality of having a PH on the hunt. Same scenario applies to the 14 or so Lions under your belt, save maybe the first 2 or 3.

14 June 2015, 18:36

Aaron Neilson

quote:
Originally posted by fujotupu:
quote:
That is the post of a man who has been there and done that. Pretty sage response on taking the shot.

"been there and done that" ... more than several times over ..... cool as a cucumber, no jittery nerves.

Aaron, you cannot compare yourself with a first timer on Leopard or even worse, the guy who has made the journey several times and never got one.

You know, we know, there was no real need for Chris Trent being in the blind other than for the required formality of having a PH on the hunt. Same scenario applies to the 14 or so Lions under your belt, save maybe the first 2 or 3.

Perhaps Fujo to a degree that's true! I rarely think wounded leopards result in taking a bad shot, but rather the shooter making a bad shot - would you agree?

I will say though, I did learn from Chris and I was happy to have him along. Although I had hunted leopards many times, he taught me a couple of things I had not seen before - including additional patience that really paid off. Frankly, I can hardly think of a safari in Africa where I haven't learned something new from my PH. Its really been a wonderful learning experience getting hunt in so many countries, with so many qualified pros - who combined have really made me a better / more experienced hunter.

14 June 2015, 19:00

fujotupu

quote:
I rarely think wounded leopards result in taking a bad shot, but rather the shooter making a bad shot - would you agree?

Most definitely so though a bad shot is not limited to the nervy first timer either; however, patience is the answer at gaining the chance of achieving a "perfect shot".

14 June 2015, 22:07

Aaron Neilson

quote:
Originally posted by fujotupu:
quote:
I rarely think wounded leopards result in taking a bad shot, but rather the shooter making a bad shot - would you agree?

Most definitely so though a bad shot is not limited to the nervy first timer either; however, patience is the answer at gaining the chance of achieving a "perfect shot".

That's true as well!! I lost a big eland bull last year in Rukwa because I took a bad shot, and made a bad shot to boot. Over 200 yards at an eland who's facing directly at you - is a poor shot angle to take. I knew it, but I let my over confidence get the better of me - and later I regretted it.

14 June 2015, 23:51

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
Some think you shouldn't set up under 100 yards. The difference is substantial.

And some PH's like to be close. Joyce's at 17 yards, mine at 19 yards.

______________________
DRSS
______________________
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
Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141
Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141

14 June 2015, 23:56

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
He kept telling me, big male leopards show up late in the morning - so be patient! We will sit until 8:30am - I thought he was drinking! This guy showed up at 8am, I was stunned - and Chris looked like a genius.

He obviously knows how the cats in his area act. I was initially skeptical with our close blind placement in Moz but Derek repeatedly said the distance wouldn't matter and obviously he was correct.

Nice video clip Aaron. I so screwed up not hitting record on Joyce's since it was framed properly.