Hunt report.
Hunter: Eric Johanson
Dates: Spring, April of 2010
Outfitter: Chinanga Safaris
PH: Terry Fenn. Tracker: Maxwell
Locations: Tsholotsho south,east of Hwange.

I hunted in the spring of 2010 with Terry Fenn of Bulawayo. Our plan was to hunt in Botswana, Block CH8. Unfortunately, in a mix-up with the Botswana government closing the area down, at the last minute we had to move the venue to Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe. I arrived at Bulawayo and we drove in from there.
Due to, I suspect, poaching, we saw little plains game, but many elephants. As expected early in the year, the bush was very thick, and in that particular area, even thicker. Just about every living thing is armed with vicious thorns and walking is tough. [ note my “bush gear” in the leopard photo ! ] After many days of hard work, and looking over many elephant, we finally came onto “our” bull. One of four. With a tough stalk through the unrelenting thorns, we got within 30 yards of our bull, conveniently he was facing directly away. Unbelievably, it was tracker Max who stepped on a twig. Snap !
The elephant swapped ends in an instant, an suddenly it was all go. “shoot him in the brain Eric" One motion with my 470 Rigby double and, bang, the big bull’s head arched backward, while at the same time, his back legs folded, and he went down. A classic and spectacular frontal brain shot. He was not the tusk weight we were after, but played his part in a classic hunt. I used 470 Norma ammo.
During the recovery procedure, and over the next two nights, we noted a good size leopard track, visiting out elephant carcass. With several days of the hunt left, we set about baiting him. Due to the total lack of plains game in the area, I was forced to collect a “non-trophy” donkey, but he did the trick. Our blind was duly built and on our first night in it, just on dark, the leopard appeared at the foot of the tree. Terry's video camera sees better than I do.... The leopard climbed the bait branch, but frustratingly, would not present a shot. Lying down, turning, playing with the bait, then, finally, when it was almost too dark, the leopard stood up, broadside. I touched one off with the Griffin & Howe 35 Whelan. The cat tried to hang on the branch for one second, and then, Thud. Carefully, we walked up to the base of the tree and there he was. He never moved. He was a big leopard, a hole through both shoulders. The Double Tap Woodleigh 310 grain soft point did the job. This combination is a killer like the old 360 NE.... Impressive. A small entry and big exit.
The staff danced around the fire. We had a few sundowners, cooked our own steaks, rare, and ... the end to another adventure with Terry Fenn.

Did I tell you about the time our children tied him up in a leopard skin? ... after a few drinks!!! .....But that is another story.

Eric Johanson

Sounds like a great trip.

Pictures, please.

Very nice, I would love to see some pictures.