HUNT LOCATION: Mulambe Concession, near Tete

PROFESSIONAL HUNTER: Wayne Grant, RSA

HUNTING BUDDY: Chris Francis

HUNT DATES: June 10 - June 23, 2009

SPECIES HUNTED: Specialist Leopard,

TOOL of CHOICE: Blaser .375 H&H w/270 gr. Barnes Triple Shock

FLIGHT: Delta using AE miles, LAM to Moz


Our hunt really started in the halls of Reno, January 2008. Chris and I wanted to hunt leopard. We spoke with many operators who honestly reported 50-75% success rates, which seemed rather normal for the elusive Tom. Later, tucked way in the back of the back room, we met Wayne Grant.

In his booth were two of the biggest, most beautiful cats in the show. Each were an honest 180+, mounted by Frank Zitz, and simply stunning. Turns out, Wayne hunts the cattle killing leopard of the Matopas Hills. His book Into The Thorns is the best book I ever read on the subject. Wayne gave us each a copy, which we read that night. The next morning, we were back in the booth and confirmed our hunt.

Current events and hardships in Zim had us reconsidering the area. Wayne offered to hunt is in Moz, next to his brother Sean Grant's area. Always wanting to go to Moz, we were in.

Delta to JNB on the new 777 was fantastic. Skipping the refuel and fumigation in Dakar is worth the price of admission. The next day, LAM managed to deliver us and our luggage to Tete on time!




Wayne brought his spike camp from his farm in the RSA. Tents, water from the river, open fire cooking, this was the old Africa!




The Grant brothers had likely leopard haunts located. They are absolutely focused professionals when it come to finding cats.




We found my Tom's prints on day 3. With 4 baits in the area, it was only a matter of time




The tom circled back and was feeding at the farthest bait on day 5. The blind was looking good!



At last light, the tom was in. He was standingon his haunches, front legs stretched overhead, and jaws buried in the bait. Uh oh, did not see this presentation in The Perfect Shot. Crosshairs centered on his chest, my tom dropped to the ground. Wayne looked over, grinned as he said "Your leopard hunt is over!"




The Star of the Show, and the rest of the team



With a few days left, we drove to the fishing camp on Cahorra Bassa. Tiger fishing was in the off season , but it looked pretty good to me.








I could not recommend Wayne and Sean Grant enough. An RSA based hunter in Moz? You bet, the man behind the wheel makes all the difference.

Good hunting,

Wow! That is one big kitty and one big lizard. Congrats on an outstanding hunt!

You hunted with the best there is for Leopard, lucky you! Huge cat, how much did he weigh or how much did Wayne say he is?
Did you read his book yet? I read it 4x already it is awesome

OUTSTANDING CAT!
CONGRATS!!!

LT,

Wayne put him at 170. That's about average for Matopas, but huge for Moz.

He gave me his book in Reno. It sealed the deal. Have you hunted with Wayne? I agree, does not get ANY better.

Wayne's quota has been cut for Zim. Look for him to do more cats in Mulambe.

Couldn't resist posting one more



I was sure the Tom was dead, and made my approach way too casually. Wayne has stood the charge and survived more than a dozen angry, wounded critters. He took it serious. It dawned on me we were hunting DG when halfway to the cat, wayne shouldered his rifle, tensely asked me to hold the torch, and advised "Please do not drop it if he comes."

Turns out, my tom was still breathing when we approached. Wayne put a .460 in the center of mass. No problem-beats the alternative, right?

Very nice cat! Congratulations.

Jack, I have not hunted with Wayne, but I know him. Your cat is a huge cat anywhere...the average even in the Matopas is not that big, just that Wayne has taken so many big ones there.

Wow! What a cat! I've met Wayne several times, have his autographed book and had a chance meeting with him in Vic Falls after killing my monster leopard last July-August with John Hunt. He's a master at leopard hunting for sure. Congratulations!

Gorgeous cat- congrats on a great hunt...TH

You might be one of the luckiest hunters I have ever met.

60 lb. Bull on your first track.
Fighting USF&W and winning.
170 lb Leopard in an area that does not typically produce 170 lb. Leopard.

I am going to hug you when I see you in Reno. Maybe some of it will rub off on me.

Dang nice cat. Congratulations.

Outstanding cat!!! I kind of had a feeling about how this would turn out then I read who the PH was.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

I am going to hug you when I see you in Reno. Maybe some of it will rub off on me.

Dang nice cat. Congratulations.

Thanks Wendell. But you will need to buy me dinner and a movie first.

Funny how lucky you get when you hunt with the best, - Vaughn, Wayne, etc.

Cheers!

That is a super leopard. Congratulations!

Wonderful kitty, Jack!!

And that flattie ain't too shabby either..

Congrats on another great safari.

Jack,

Great cat... I cant help but admiring his rosettes... Outstanding....

Mike

Jack - What an awesome cat, congrats!!!!

A beautiful leopard, congrats.

Excellent Leopard and Congratulations'!

Very good Leopard. Congratulations.

Oscar.

Looks like the BLASER got another one.
Great cat but good choice of firearm and Cal.
For the rest of you try it you will like it.
Larry

Absolutely stunning cat, congratulations.

Jack,

Great hunt man! i only now figured out that you are on AR after seeing yopur photos - very nice leopard!!!

Hi to Chris pls,

Regards


Aubrey

Great cat and croc!

Did your friend score as well? Great cat!

quote:

Originally posted by SilentT:
Did your friend score as well? Great cat!

ST-

Chris hunted with Sean Grant, and had his tom down on day three! We were most fortunate.

Chris also connected with an absolute monster croc. Pictures will follow shortly.

Thanks for all of the nice comments men. Much appreciated.

WOW what a Leopard!
congratulations on the hunt.

Beautiful leopard! Congratulations. Would you mind posting contact info for Wayne? Does he have a website?

quote:

Originally posted by sdirks:
Beautiful leopard! Congratulations. Would you mind posting contact info for Wayne? Does he have a website?

Dirk,

Sure thing. Wayne can be reached at http://www.nyalavalley.co.za/ , or email at nyalavalley@mweb.co.za

Please PM me if you need some additional info.

Good hunting

Are leopards from Mozambique importable into the U.S.?

Congratulations on a super leopard... my what a cat! That had to be a classic memory-making hunt with a legend of the bush, Wayne Grant. It doesn't get much better.

Glad to hear the Delta airlines news also. Just flew in yesterday via PE/Jo'burg to Dulles to Houston using SAA/United and that is a BEAST of a trip! Absolutely hate it. Nice to hear good things about an American carrier. I met Larry Burgin aka Bigbbear at Afton and he was also singing Delta's praises. If you don't mind, did you fly economy or business and how was the seating?

Yes no problem only elephant is a no go thanks to USFW

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Are leopards from Mozambique importable into the U.S.?

Jack,

You guys did very well taking a couple of my favorite animals to hunt.

Congrats,

Mark

Well done on that Cat, you have hunted the ultimate trophy specie.

Congrats on a super cat and crock. What was that lying beside the leopard's track. The track looks incredibly wide, but I cannot make out what that is beside it.

Anyway, leopards rank as good, better, or best. I'd say yours is in the best range.

Congrats!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bwanamrm:

Here are a few photos of Chris's tom- Keep in mind he is 6'5", 290 lbs.

LMAO inasmuch as I am 6'1", 250 lbs. I often add that caveat as relates to my leopard. "If if looks big in my arms, then you can bet your a$$ it's a big leopard!"

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
Congrats on a super cat and crock. What was that lying beside the leopard's track. The track looks incredibly wide, but I cannot make out what that is beside it.

Anyway, leopards rank as good, better, or best. I'd say yours is in the best range.

Congrats!

Will,

Thanks man, we were very fortunate.

That is a tape measure next to the print. Wayne and Sean take very careful measurements of the prints. They break a twig for each of the 3 dimensions - height, width of toes and the palm. That way we can tell if we have seen that tom before, if he was wandering around more than one bait, or if a new cat shows up. Pretty helpful info, as Chris's baits were spread over 20k, and mine were covering an area over 50k.

Best of luck on your next hunt,

Jack

What a hunt for you and your buddy...it gets no better..giant cats and crocks..it was great to talk to you...continued great success...Butch

Jack, I am happy for your success. Good to see you are getting out there still. I sent you a PM. All the best and congratulations on your cat.

Jack,

Nice...Very nice...