quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Thanks all. This cat is a big Leopard no doubt and weighs in at about 170lbs plus. Not quite in the super cat league that we see come out of the rocky hill country of Zimbabwe but nevertheless a serious beast in its own right.

Faisal's pursuit took him twice to Namibia, twice to Zimbabwe and twice with me. His request was simply a BIG Leopard. There is always an element of luck when hunting daylight Leopard without devices or dogs and I admire those who set their own standard at whatever the cost.

Whatever method you choose the Leopard has surely got to be one of the finest of our creatures and one that needs to be conserved and encouraged under responsible management. Us hunters and your dollars are almost solely responsible for the protection of vast blocks of pristine Wild Africa - a fact that is fast becoming internationally recognised.

If you fail to hunt your cat the frustration can be deep and gnawing. But you have hunted and done something outside of ordinary life that few will experience.

There are no two hunters cast in the same mould and hunting is dictated by personal beliefs, ethics and goals. By individual character and constitution. For some failure is disappointment and to others a challenge. But whatever makes you tick try to recall the words of my good friend Faisal - 'I can't f..king believe it'

quote:

Originally posted by faisal:
I am in Jo'Burg on my way home having had a very successful safari with Andrew Baldry.
Everything came together on day eight, finally I had the cat that had eluded me for so long.
Full report to follow.

quote:

Originally posted by Phillip Smythe:
That is a MONSTER leopard!
Well done!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
There is always an element of luck when hunting daylight Leopard without devices or dogs and I admire those who set their own standard at whatever the cost.

Whatever method you choose the Leopard has surely got to be one of the finest of our creatures and one that needs to be conserved and encouraged under responsible management. Us hunters and your dollars are almost solely responsible for the protection of vast blocks of pristine Wild Africa - a fact that is fast becoming internationally recognised.

If you fail to hunt your cat the frustration can be deep and gnawing. But you have hunted and done something outside of ordinary life that few will experience.

There are no two hunters cast in the same mould and hunting is dictated by personal beliefs, ethics and goals. By individual character and constitution. For some failure is disappointment and to others a challenge. But whatever makes you tick try to recall the words of my good friend Faisal - 'I can't f..king believe it'

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Anybody in touch with Faisal? I've tried him on WhatsApp without luck.

quote:

Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Thanks all. This cat is a big Leopard no doubt and weighs in at about 170lbs plus. Not quite in the super cat league that we see come out of the rocky hill country of Zimbabwe but nevertheless a serious beast in its own right.

Congrats Faisal and Andrew on an absolute beauty!

Andrew - 170lbs is a sod!!I've seen and/or read of many that believe they have bagged a 180lb plus Tom and when asked if it was actually weighed on a scale they reply " no it was the PH's estimate" - sorry that doesn't work for me.

We have kept meticulous records (weights, lengths, skull measurements) of the Leopard taken off Nuanetsi, which are "Big Lowveld Cats", and let me tell you that TRUE 180 lbs cats are not as common as many believe. Wayne Grant's book "Into the Thorns" is a brilliant book in my opinion and Wayne talks about those that claim to have taken multiple 200 lb cats!!! Wayne guided some absolute monster cats and I think he only tipped the scale over 200lbs once (I stand to be corrected) and talks of his good friend Graham that did the same just once (again I stand to be corrected).

My point being that the weight factor on Leopard has been elevated to unrealistic categories purely because of assumed weights. The Leopard is on CITES's radar and as a result, we (all outfitters/landowners) have to keep exact details including the weights of trophy hunted Leopard - be interesting to see just how many hit the 180lb class now after having "shot a couple every season" in the past.

There are some genuine 180lb cats out there but a 145-150lb cat is no kitten!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by James Woodward:
Amazing!!! Nothing more magical to me than one of those monster cats!
Do you have any close up of his teeth of face?

I would love to know his age

quote:

Originally posted by Charlie64:
.

Jim hi, Not for some months. Have you tried through Andrew?

Ps great leopard - how time flies!