If I can figure out my i phone issue, I will post more of the leopard. Also, somehow the kudu pictures didn't load on photobucket. I will work on that as well.
Excellent report Larry... thanks for taking the time to put it down in detail! Superb trophies as well, old, past their prime males hunted properly. Well done!
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling
He proves why the Leopard is the world's ultimate predator...he managed to survive despite losing a foot. Looks to be in good health as well. I would love to see the poacher who set that snare in my crosshairs...
Posts: 6080 | Location: New York City "The Concrete Jungle" | Registered: 04 May 2003
We did weight it but I do not recall with certainty. I think it was 140. He was in serious decline. The ecologist who is studying leopards recons he lost 35-40% of his body weight.
I am going to post some more pictures.
David:
I don't think Gabriel has gained a whole lot. It is probably what he is wearing.
I will tell you that Gabriel is hell on wheels. He has balls the size of watermelons. He was right there in there in the thick of things armed with only a flashlight.
Brent:
I hear what you are saying about the hooves. Why is this only on the front? The back was totally normal.
Yes Larry, you can see by these recent photo's that this poor Leopard was struggling to survive. His hips and rear legs are very lean for a cat his size...he is a huge bodied Leopard in his prime so he should be heavily built.
What a shame that those bastard made him suffer!
Posts: 6080 | Location: New York City "The Concrete Jungle" | Registered: 04 May 2003
Larry, I haven't see Gabriel for a while...Anyway, long standing joke between some of us, I will undoubtedly get the same when I see him. I have firsthand knowledge of Gabriel's infield capabilities, having spent years working with him, anti-poaching and hunting, Humani and Chewore. Top notch fellow, Humani/Roger Whittall trained.
You know, the more I read this report, look at the photos/trophies, the more I realize this was truly an AWESOME safari!! What more could you ask for in 10 Days????
Aaron Neilson Global Hunting Resources 303-619-2872: Cell globalhunts@aol.com www.huntghr.com
Originally posted by Aaron Neilson: You know, the more I read this report, look at the photos/trophies, the more I realize this was truly an AWESOME safari!! What more could you ask for in 10 Days????
My dumb ass went to chase the wounded leopard wearing shorts, a tee shirt and a long sleeve shirt.
I realized that I was "under dressed" when I saw Gabriel & Kapazi put on every bit of clothing they had.
I brought Gabriel & Kapazi binoculars. They went wild over those.
Larry, well at least you only would have been clawed by 3 sets of claws.....Ja I think that dressing up is a great plan, but not too much to hinder movement. Once I saw Lou 'the leopard' Hallamore getting ready for a wounded leopard follow up - trenchcoat with good collar was his main piece...I'm sure those guys must have been super chuffed with the binos, all tracker teams should have at least a decent pair between them, the vast majority see better than their PH's! This is a great report Larry, not only because of the super trophies, but because it is so different, unique. Well done my friend.
Etai was our gamescout in 2009. He was pleasant and strong. He carried a bushpig across his shoulders all the way back to the truck. I believe it was more than one mile.
Everything from your hunt looks to be top notch, Larry. I particularly like that leopard. Who know what a monster he would have been but for the traps and snares.
Congrats and well done as usual.
Will J. Parks, III
Posts: 2989 | Location: Alabama USA | Registered: 09 July 2009
Here in the Eastern Cape, there are occassions where kudu have been found with elongated hooves, mainly in the Karoo in river bed and surrounding terrein. The sandy soil does not allow for the wear of the hooves as in more rocky / stoney terrein.
Mr Shores, it looks as though you had an excellent hunt, well done.
Posts: 3297 | Location: South of the Equator. | Registered: 02 August 2009
