Date of hunt 19 July to 31 July
PH Phillip Smythe
Hunter Jim Ledgerwood
gun Remington 700 375
Ammo Hand loads Nosler Accubond 260 grain in front of 70 grains of reloder 15
Area Gorkwe North Zimbabwe
Airline Air Emeritus

Sorry about the last post where I posted the picture of Phillip In the subject space It is my first time at posting pictures
I would like to thank Phillip on a great Leopard hunt . This is not my first try at hunting leopard. I have brought my bad luck on 4 previous attempts to shoot the elusive leopard. The trip on Air Emeritus was great No problems with checking my gun straight through to Harare. Traveled from SF overnight in Dubai. The food was great and hotel conformable. Arrived In Harare stayed at Sunbird Guest house where I was welcomed by my gracious host Sally Brown . Next morning Phillip picked me up and we drove to the Gorkwe North about a 8 hour trip. Settled in at camp in a comfortable chalet and started the hunt the next day.

Phillip had already done pre-baiting for 3 days and had hung 4 baits. We added to this by shooting impala eventually having 9 baits out. While we saw a lot of tracks and there were at lest 4 shootble males in the area we could not get one to feed. It was not for the lack of trying we checked all 9 baits every morning and rebated as necessary using donkey when we could not find a Zebra. In the afternoon we dragged all 9 baits. While the hunt was great I was sure I brought my bad leopard luck to even a PH as talented as Phillip . There were no feeding Leopards except a female who fed for about 4 days on one of our baits.
On the last day of the hunt a male did come to feed at the bait that the female was feeding on .

I was excited we built a blind and waited for him to return . Unfortunately he came up behind the blind made us and was off . I was disappointed at coming so close and not having a chance on the last day. Thought the hunt was over. I was not schedule to fly out to until1 Aug so we had a extra day . Checked the baits that morning and a large male had fed that night on another bait . So with my expectations in check but hopes up we built a blind on the other bait. All this time I was fighting a bad cold and was in agony trying to suppress a nagging cough.

About 7 when it was totally dark the cat came in Phillip said he was on bait had my scope turned up to high and after a quick adjustment made a high lung shot that dropped him down directly under the bait and he did not move after that. We waited for about 20 minutes and then went to recover my leopard . Put a insurance shot in him. and claimed my hard earned trophy.

We got back around 8:30 had time for picture a celebratory drink and a great dinner and left the next morning. All during the hunt Phillip was confident and cheerful never losing faith that I would get my Leopard. He never gave up to include checking baits on the day after the last day of the hunt. He and his staff are hard working and Phillip has an intuitive gift for Leopard hunting. It paid off getting the cat on the night after the last day of the hunt including 3 pre-baiting days it would been on the 16 day . In addition the accommodations were first class food was great rooms were clean and comfortable and camp staff were accommodating. Used my friends Comcast account to post pictures

Jim

Congrats. Phil is a great PH to spend time with.

Great Leopard! There is nothing like getting your animal on the last day. My best friend and I used Phil recently on a buffalo hunt in Southeast Zim. The hunting was very tough, but we both got great buffalo on the last day. Hunting with Phil was an extreme joy! I can't say enough good about him.

Wow! Nice cat! Good to see a PH pull out all stops and go above and beyond to make your dream of a big leopard come to be. Kudos to Phillip!

Congrats on your cat!!

Jim a very nice cat and good shooting.

Mike

Congrats to u both I too like Phillip fun guy to have as a PH
GREAT CAT!

Nice cat !!!!

Mike

Very nice, I guess you couldn't wait until the very last minute.

Very nice Phil hope your season going well

Great cat! I've hunted with Phil twice, and he's awesome. Hopefully, one day he'll find me a damned spotted cat.

A couple of tidbits on Phil:

1) He gets somewhat nervous around rubber cobras. He gets more nervous (and a little annoyed) when his hunter jokingly yells "Boomslang!" after seeing a sand snake - causing all of the trackers to scatter into the bush and leaving said hunter doubled over laughing.

2) It chaps his ass when his hunter passes up 40" buffalo.

3) He thinks Sour Jacks are a food group. He will trade you 10 slim-jims for 1 pack of Sour Jacks.

4) He often wears ridiculous "shoes."

I'm sure I can add more after thinking about it for a while.

Congratulations on a fine leopard!

Glad you finally sealed the deal on a nice Cat, Jim. Well deserved.

Cheers
Brent

Great cat.

Awesome, great job!!

What were the measurements/weight?

Your perseverance certainly paid off. Nice leopard! Congratulations! Nice report and pics too!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Great cat!

Congrats and thanks for posting.

Congratulations!!!
Finally...I salute you for your perseverance

Congratulations on a fantastic leopard. Patience pays off.


Torbjoern

Thanks Jim - we certainly didnt give up! Even after having those cat crossing so CLOSE to our baits! SO ANNOYING!

Glad to be a part of your dream Jim! Does this mean we have broken the bad luck curse!!!

tygersman - None of that now!! hahaha for the record.. we shot that cat with my 'ridiculous shoes!'

See you in a few weeks Torbjorn!

quote:

Originally posted by Phillip Smythe:
See you in a few weeks Torbjorn!

Looking forward to it Phillip!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Phillip Smythe:
Thanks Jim - we certainly didnt give up! Even after having those cat crossing so CLOSE to our baits! SO ANNOYING!

Glad to be a part of your dream Jim! Does this mean we have broken the bad luck curse!!!

I guess it does thanks everybody for your good wishes and congratulations

Jim:
There's nothing more satisfying than a well
earned animal. Especially one so hard to get.
Glad you guys could hang in there long enough.
I know full well the let down you felt after such a long hard hunt didn't produce after the last night was over.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Enjoyed the humor too!
George

Great job to all involved. Nice cat!!

Great job guys!!!

Great Leopard and very well done.

Nice cat. Well deserved.