My friend PH/Johan Pieterse got one leopard tag this year, and I had dibs on it.

Went on July 4. Johan had been pre-baiting for a few days. We eventually had 11 baits up, with two trucks checking them.

Exhausting work, as many of you know. Up at first light, checking baits. Had 2 on bait right away, both female. Eventually had 5 of the baits being hit on the Limpopo area, near Northam.

I really did not dig, at all, sitting in the blinds, that is until I heard the first leopard come in on the second night of sitting. Crunch...chew, chew. Johan looks through the binos, put me on the rifle, and I was waiting for the light...never came on, Johan sat back. We then sat in total darkness and dead quiet for another 45 minutes, then I had a spontaneous cough. Darn!

Turned out the lep was on the bait, but must have winded us, because Johan said it left quickly. He was hoping it would come back.

For about 45 minutes before the lep came in, we heard the bushbuck barking a lot. The lep was circling around, obviously wary. It later came back, after we left, and fed extensively.

The next night, on a different bait, nothing, although I heard something feeding, but Johan saw nothing- winded again?

The next night, bushbuck fed right up to and around the blind, civit and warthog on the bait...then I heard some serious chewing. Johan scanned on the binos, put me on the rifle...I waited for the light. Red light on...still nothing I could see. Then Johan whispered...SHOOT HIM...and I saw through the scope its head slowly turn around and look at us.

With the eyes illuminated I immediately saw the entire lep. So beautiful. sitting dead away from us. We had discussed this possibility, so I aimed for the heart area via the back. BOOM!

Lots of loose rock sliding. We wait. No sound. Looked at the video, and the cat clearly was hit good and rolled down the slope in front of the bait.

Carefully out with the rifles. Spotted a cat at the bottom on the ravine in front of the bait. Cautiously approach. One very dead cat- heart shot with a 375.

Very beautiful animal. I really was in awe of this animal. My other DG were a rhino and buff- not nearly the level of pleasure, awe and satisfaction of the cat.

I was a little disappointed it was a female..but hey, a reason to go back for a big Tom. We discussed before, and I decided if it was a mature female, I would be happy, and I was.

A bunch of neighbors came over to see it, even little kids in their pajamas.

Johan has to be the hardest working PH one can find. Very intense. He has guided on about 130 leopard kills, and is well known for being a cat man, altough with his experience and skills, he keeps a low profile. No web site, only doing SCI etc.

So, got it on the fourth day- very happy. Already planning for the tom, probably up in Botswana or Tanzania next year.

Very pleased- an old female with one upper and one lower fang (canine?) missing- so it was good wildlife management too.



I love hunting!

Good job!

Congrats on Mr. Spots.

WTG Joel! Nice cat

Good cat, 404! That is my dream, to get a big leopard, but I can't leave the Buffalo alone long enough to get one! Maybe next year, if I'm still alive! Congratulations!

sierrabravo45,

Wouldn't it technically be "Mrs. Spots"?

Still a beautiful cat. Congratulations!

Good Job on the leopard. I hunted with Johan last month. We were working on a video, mostly night hunting small cats, jackal, etc. Johan was working on gathering more footage for the video. I was very impressed with him and his stories of being a game warden. On the first day in camp he caught a big puff adder with a stick and his hands. That footage turned out pretty good with the snake striking at him, then he released the snake outside of camp. Most folks would have just killed it.

filmit

Yes, Johan discussed your hunt. We were also baiting for brown hyena and spent two nights looking for them but no luck, also for caracal and I think civit.

404WJJeffery,

Congratulation on your hunt and a nice leopard.


Hamdeni