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Hunting lion by tracking?!
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Pardon a beginner.

I have read in Kevin Robertson's book "The perfect shot" about hunting lion and leopard by tracking. As I am a bit short on patience I think that would suit me better than spending a lot of time in a blind.

Who to contact for such a hunt? Success rate? Is it also possible/legal/ethical/etc to hunt lioness this way? Liones is more within my budget I guess and I want the thrill of the hunt more than the mount in my trophy room (all though I certainly would not mind the trophy as a bonus Wink.)

I trust I find a load of information about this here. You guys are just great!
 
Posts: 101 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 03 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Thanks for the post, I've had the exact ?'s on my mind...I know in Mexico there are natives who track mule deer over rocky, desert terrain...I expect there are outfitters in Africa who do so on lion(ess')?
 
Posts: 925 | Registered: 05 October 2011Reply With Quote
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few years back i looked at a hunt which was in Namibia, which used bushmen to track lions. ended up that the guy lost his area and i didn't go, but you might take a look for it
 
Posts: 13466 | Location: faribault mn | Registered: 16 November 2004Reply With Quote
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Posts: 2638 | Location: North | Registered: 24 May 2007Reply With Quote
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A.Dahlgren, thanks for the link!

Very interesting!
 
Posts: 101 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 03 March 2008Reply With Quote
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there are a lot of lion tracking hunts in RSA- JUST BE CAREFUL OF THE ELECTRIC FENCE. oh, that's right, they all crossed over the Bots/Zim border and just happen to be in the neighborhood when you arrived and are killing the hell out of cattle.


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Posts: 13620 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 28 October 2006Reply With Quote
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We have hunted lion by tracking a few times in Zimbabwe.

On two occasions were succesful.

But, on one occasion, which I will never forget, we followed him until he walked all teh way to the next concession.

Walking back to the truck, I remember coming over a hill and seeing the truck far in teh distance.

It was one of the most beautiful site I have seen on a hunt!

It was a very hard, long and HOT tracking day.

It was in Chete, in late October!


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Posts: 69313 | Location: Dubai, UAE | Registered: 08 January 1998Reply With Quote
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Way back in 1986 (or 1987? - getting real old! Wink ) I helped a friend hunt a lion in Botswana's southern Kalahari. We employed two local San - real bushmen - as trackers.

We picked up the spoor early on the last morning of the hunting season, which was in mid November. That time of the year it is really very hot in the Kalahari! The trackers, my friend as hunter and I as back-up gun easily followed the spoor in the soft sand. The Land Cruiser followed at a safe distance behind the hunting the tracking/hunting party to not interfere with the hunt. When the Land Cruiser eventually stopped to pick up the dead lion it was 17 kilometres from where we first picked up the spoor. Tracking in such soft sand is very easy - if the hunters were not required to watch out for the lions, we could have followed the spoor ourselves, but the bushmen could literally track at a trotting pace!

Hunting a lion by tracking one is entirely possible – although in some terrain it would be quite difficult to track fast enough.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren
 
Posts: 1799 | Location: Soutpan, Free State, South Africa | Registered: 19 January 2004Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
there are a lot of lion tracking hunts in RSA- JUST BE CAREFUL OF THE ELECTRIC FENCE. oh, that's right, they all crossed over the Bots/Zim border and just happen to be in the neighborhood when you arrived and are killing the hell out of cattle.
tu2

+1
 
Posts: 1799 | Location: Soutpan, Free State, South Africa | Registered: 19 January 2004Reply With Quote
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I successfully hunted with Buzz Charlton back in October 2005 for a lioness in Chewore North. It was a tracking hunt, much more affordable than a male and much more exciting than sitting in a blind. I believe Zimbabwe is currently issuing lioness permits. It would be better to go later in the season, before the rains. It will be very hot, but the vegetation will have dried up making the tracking easier and visibility better. Buzz has sinced teamed with Myles McCallum to form CM Safaris based out of Harare, Zimbabwe.


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Posts: 1849 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 25 July 2006Reply With Quote
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September/ October with Ian Gibson in Chewore North.
Best hunt amongst plenty of great hunts so far but it helps to be fit during the hot and dry time of the year!
 
Posts: 5886 | Location: Sydney,Australia  | Registered: 03 July 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
September/ October with Ian Gibson in Chewore North.
Best hunt amongst plenty of great hunts so far but it helps to be fit during the hot and dry time of the year!


Nice looking cat Ozzie ! any other poses? Wink
 
Posts: 2731 | Registered: 23 August 2010Reply With Quote
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An excellent bet for this type of hunt would be to hunt late season on the Bubye Valley Conservancy. I hunted lioness there in 2010 and saw 39 lions in ten days, including this guy



While we hung baits, I did not shoot my lioness from a blind. A tracking hunt, or spot and stalk is a realistic option there.



Contact Brent Hein at www.brentheinsafaris.com I've hunted with him a bunch and he runs a first class outfit.
 
Posts: 1047 | Location: Kerrville, Texas USA | Registered: 02 August 2001Reply With Quote
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David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.


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Posts: 10004 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.


This also applies to hunting ALL animals on foot, rather than from a blind.

That is why it is called hunting, and one takes his chances.


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Posts: 69313 | Location: Dubai, UAE | Registered: 08 January 1998Reply With Quote
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Agreed but plains game does not stir the emotions like Lion and this is one animal that will not tolerate any nonsense.


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Posts: 10004 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Thanks every one for your help. And thanks for posting pictures of fantastic trophy animals and telling us about your hunts. Really inspiring!
I will be looking in to the different outfitters and PHs mentioned. I think I have caught the Lion bug Wink.
 
Posts: 101 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 03 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Klein vars i Sverige befinner du dig ?
 
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Sundsvallstrakten. Och du?
 
Posts: 101 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 03 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Umää Smiler
 
Posts: 2638 | Location: North | Registered: 24 May 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
Klein vars i Sverige befinner du dig ?


I think you might want to check your wireless keyboard. Big Grin


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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
 
Posts: 7626 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 05 February 2008Reply With Quote
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you should understand that Smiler alot of Swedes in your part of the world Smiler
 
Posts: 2638 | Location: North | Registered: 24 May 2007Reply With Quote
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Campbell Smith is a specialist at this type of Lion hunting in Bots. His contact info is on our website on the links page. www.echolsrifles.com This hunt is not for the faint of heart
 
Posts: 708 | Registered: 30 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I thought all lion hunting in Botswana was currently closed?


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Posts: 1849 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 25 July 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
you should understand that Smiler alot of Swedes in your part of the world Smiler


There are a lot of everything in my part of the world. Just joshing you Anton.

List of languages spoken in the Anchorage School District.


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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
 
Posts: 7626 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 05 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I think you're correct, I was hoping Graeme Pollock might chime in.
 
Posts: 708 | Registered: 30 December 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.

You mean there isn't time to take and develope the dental xrays, check his nose color, look for facial scars, measure mane hair length, weigh him, check the local pride for cubs, do DNA studies to determine if the cubs are his, ETC, ETC,ETC ? FORGET IT!! and lion hunting in Bots was stopped years ago.


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Posts: 13620 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 28 October 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.


This also applies to hunting ALL animals on foot, rather than from a blind.

That is why it is called hunting, and one takes his chances.


If folks prefer things easier-less challenging,hypothetically,[putting what is/isnt permissible by law aside] they should just shoot all their game over a bait,water hole or feeder.
..,...in ethical terms[relating to recreational hunting], I dont see much difference between the three...I see them all as equally unsporting.
 
Posts: 9434 | Location: Here & There- | Registered: 14 May 2008Reply With Quote
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quote:
in Namibia, which used bushmen to track lions

Google a little bit and you will find some outfitter.


 
Posts: 866 | Registered: 13 March 2011Reply With Quote
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Posts: 866 | Registered: 13 March 2011Reply With Quote
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Lion huntin on foot in the Kalahari, walk and stalk.
Kind regards


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Posts: 305 | Location: SA Eastern Cape | Registered: 20 August 2011Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.

You mean there isn't time to take and develope the dental xrays, check his nose color, look for facial scars, measure mane hair length, weigh him, check the local pride for cubs, do DNA studies to determine if the cubs are his, ETC, ETC,ETC ? FORGET IT!! and lion hunting in Bots was stopped years ago.


Something like that.


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Posts: 10004 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Trax:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
David W,

Great photo of a great Lion.

Stalking Lion on foot is one of huntings great adventures, however it is fraught with difficulty and my experience is that it has led to poor shooting and hence wounding. The PH has to make a quick call and it may not be the right one.


This also applies to hunting ALL animals on foot, rather than from a blind.

That is why it is called hunting, and one takes his chances.


If folks prefer things easier-less challenging,hypothetically,[putting what is/isnt permissible by law aside] they should just shoot all their game over a bait,water hole or feeder.
..,...in ethical terms[relating to recreational hunting], I dont see much difference between the three...I see them all as equally unsporting.


Quite a big statement. Not sure the duck hunters will agree.


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Posts: 10004 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Klein: I've done both and of course found the tracked lion hunt far more fulfilling. I did the baited lion hunt first in Tanz, yet ironically shot a great lion that wasn't on the bait. I took an even better lion a couple years later in Bots. 100% tracked. It was one of the best moments I've experienced in dangerous game hunting.

If you're only going to shoot one lion in your lifetime and have the patience and selectivity to hold out for just the right lion, go with the tracked lion hunt.

Alot of it depends on the kind of hunter you are and where you are in your hunting career.
 
Posts: 636 | Location: The Hills | Registered: 24 January 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Bwana Moja:
Klein: I've done both and of course found the tracked lion hunt far more fulfilling. I did the baited lion hunt first in Tanz, yet ironically shot a great lion that wasn't on the bait. I took an even better lion a couple years later in Bots. 100% tracked. It was one of the best moments I've experienced in dangerous game hunting.

If you're only going to shoot one lion in your lifetime and have the patience and selectivity to hold out for just the right lion, go with the tracked lion hunt.

Alot of it depends on the kind of hunter you are and where you are in your hunting career.


You are not going to track Lion up in Zam or Zim unless the conditions are suitable which for the most they are not. Does not matter where you are in your hunting career.


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Posts: 10004 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Tracked lion are perfectly feasable in Western zim (thank you ian Karma for stopping the hunting across the border from me- it has done wonders for trophy quality!

Still, you need to hang baits ect so you have lion coming in for the tracker to easily pick up spoor and don't run down a bait and blind hunt they are still be very exciting.

If you have a tracker like the bushman (san) that I use you will have a fair idea of what the male looks like before you shoot - any San tracker will tell you approximate size and mane type within 500m of following the tracks, but as noted above, there is no time for trophy judging once you catch up with the lion. If you are lucky you get a couple of seconds before he is vanishing into the distance or getting awfully close awfully quickly.
 
Posts: 3026 | Location: Zimbabwe | Registered: 23 July 2003Reply With Quote
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Andrew the "where" reference in my above post had nothing to do with "location". I was referring to the skill level and experience of the hunter as to the feasibility and desirability of such a hunt.

Agree with you totally Ganyana as far as Bushmen go. Hands down the Sans are the best at tracking lion. Good point as well on the hanging of baits.
 
Posts: 636 | Location: The Hills | Registered: 24 January 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Ganyana:
Tracked lion are perfectly feasable in Western zim (thank you ian Karma for stopping the hunting across the border from me- it has done wonders for trophy quality!

Still, you need to hang baits ect so you have lion coming in for the tracker to easily pick up spoor and don't run down a bait and blind hunt they are still be very exciting.

If you have a tracker like the bushman (san) that I use you will have a fair idea of what the male looks like before you shoot - any San tracker will tell you approximate size and mane type within 500m of following the tracks, but as noted above, there is no time for trophy judging once you catch up with the lion. If you are lucky you get a couple of seconds before he is vanishing into the distance or getting awfully close awfully quickly.

do the bushman get dental xrays while tracking? everyone knows you shouldn't shoot a lion unless you ABSOLUTELY KNOW HIS AGE PLUS OR MINUS A YEAR and size and mane make no difference shame old!!??


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Posts: 13620 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 28 October 2006Reply With Quote
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There are some PH's that are masters at conducting "tracked" Lion hunts in Zimabawe - irrespective of location, but, (and I mean absolutely no disrespect to any PH's themselves) you will find that these Ph's will have a 'magician' tracker which they will rely on bigtime e.g Ozhunter posted above his photo of a Lion he hunted with Ian Gibson or 'Gibbo' as we know him. Gibbo and one of his trackers, Robert, are a seriously deadly combination when hunting Lions.

Granted, the SAN are good but there are damn fine Shona, Ndebele, Shangaan, Tonga, etc trackers in Zim
 
Posts: 352 | Location: Zambia | Registered: 01 May 2011Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:. Gibbo and one of his trackers, Robert, are a seriously deadly combination when hunting Lions.

Wink
 
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