Hey gang,
In researching for an upcoming leopard hunt in Zim, I see that most folks recommend hunting April, May, or June. As a landscaper getting away during those months is tantamount to going out of business. I could go anytime in Jan, feb or early march. Or Mid july on.

Hoping to go in 2013, wife gets out of school late july, could go early Aug, or should I wait till the following season and go in jan-march?

I've shot two in July and one in June.

July is fine. Plenty are shot in August as well.

I know plenty of guys that shot them in Sept and Oct. That said, the baits rot much faster in the later months.

Check out the CMS website. The shot a couple of cats pretty late last year. I think Rich Tabor hooked one very end of October or first week of November.

You just need a little "leopard luck"!
I have shot one in Aug. and one in June. Good Luck!

A leopard is always a tricky hunt. It took me 3 tries to get one, with each hunt being more expensive.

The "better" times of year seem to give you a little bit of odds, but a good cat guy in a prime area are much more important than phase of moon or time of year. It didn't matter for me, the time of year was not significant in my case; I was unable to connect in both late and prime season in Zim.

Find a good cat guy, tell him your restrictions, and he will tell you what he thinks is better in your circumstances for his areas. Listen to him.

Also, your success in Zim can be related to where you hunt. Private land you can use lights, which is a significant advantage, but a wild hunt along the escarpment for a cat that will come in during daylight is a true leopard challenge. You need to decide what the hunt should be for you.


Will is right that your baits will rot quicker, but that means you get to shoot more game to bait then. Also, not to be forgotten is that late in the year there may be some left over quota that you could pick up for a reasonable price- I've shot a few buffalo that way.

So late is not "bad," its just different.

I'm going mid to end of August this year. I feel I still have a great chance and mostly because I am hunting with Zambezi hunters. I would think they wouldn't book me in a spot that was not a good chance for success.

We have found that March and beginning of April not to be the best time as it is still very hot and baits rot fast and combine this with very thick bush makes getting baits difficult means it is not the prime time.

For me in the Valley I would recommend May June July and first half August as the best time. Combine the right time with a little bit of luck a good PH and in the Valley you should stand a 80% chance or better of getting your leopard. Good luck. Cheers Buzz

quote:

Jan, feb or early march. Or Mid july on.

"Mid july on."

Definitely not "Jan, feb or early march."

Brent,

You received some of the best advise you'll ever get on this forum right there with Buzz. I shot a leopard last June with his outfit and Rich Tabor, on Buzz's recommended time of the year.

I also shot one in October, 2008 with Bruce Cronje on private land in the Tuli area of Zim using lights. It was hot on that one but we got the cat on the 4th night before any baits went off.

Luck sure helps but a good PH in a good spot is best.

I took my Valley leopard (pictured) with Buzz in mid August.

i don't know if there is a better time. fune, july august September have all been good times, biggest thing to remember is select a experienced PH in a good area, and then at best it's still a lottery. mr spots just does not like to be shot and does his best to avoid it. while some hunters are lucky and connect quickly, i venture a guess to say more have spent 2 or 3 or more trips before success

Thanks gang for the quick responses. I have spent 32 days chasing lion and leopard in Namibia, no luck on either, so I do understand Mr spots aversion to baits. One time was in Nov and the other in Feb, both hot times in Namibia. The cats would hit a bait once and then not return, so that is what prompeted my concerns for Aug in Zim.
I may just opt to go for buf and sable as I like moving while hunting, sitting in a blind for 14 days in a row is, well just not fun.

I hunt Zim ranch hunts twice, Tan. twice.
smart cats on the ranch in zim, Females in Tan.
In Zambia shot one on the 3 night. have take 2 more since. Their are lots of leopard in Zambia so much so they are called tree rats.
Save your money go to Zambia

I made 8 safari's to Zimbabwe. Killed 2 leopard. Always went in the months of August September. Probably in that 8 years went on 10/15 leopard hunts. My Outfitter/PH friend there is one of the first to use dogs and was and still is highly successful. He operates Bushman Safaris out of Bulawayo. Have also hunted with Wayne Bartlett a PH who is also very sucessful on Leopard. By September it's getting kinda toasty there.

If you want to kill a leopard, plan for leopard. Here are the criteria to consider in booking your hunt:

1. Location
2. Location
3. Time of year
4. PH - Cat Man
5. Area that offer night hunting versus daylight only
6. Moon Phase

The guys that take 8 safaris to kill a leopard typically do not give sufficient consideration to 1, 2, and 3.

And, I discount moon phase and almost did not put it on the list. I've shot them on a full moon, half moon, and new moon. But, moon phase could be very important in a safari area where night hunting is not allowed. Trust your PH on that one.

I've shot two of them; one at the end of July and one during the first part of August.

Safari-Lawyer very correct. Best times as Buzz says May,June,July,August,also area counts plenty.

So I guess mid Oct.is out of the question?

We are shot cats in mid Oct but it is not good! If it is an add on to your existing hunt as a result of a left over tag then take your chance but if it is your main hunt I would certainly se if there was an early gap. Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:
I hunt Zim ranch hunts twice, Tan. twice.
smart cats on the ranch in zim, Females in Tan.
In Zambia shot one on the 3 night. have take 2 more since. Their are lots of leopard in Zambia so much so they are called tree rats.
Save your money go to Zambia

jeff h,

I think you meant that you shot your Leopard on the third day.

From what I have seen posted here it is Zimbabwe that is consistently producing very large Leopard.

fairgame yep that is what I meant