Hunting caracal with dogs

[billc]

Has anyone on here done this kind of hunt.Looking at maybe letting my son try it next trip but lookimg for more info.Sounds like it could be a fun hunt and think it would make a great mount to enjoy later in the trophy room.Thanks for any info

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hey Billc,
I guess this is one of those, "to each their own" situations, with Caracal over dogs not being everybody's cup of tea. Caracal over dogs is quite the adrenalin rush, and can be a lot of fun. I myself, just love to watch dogs work. Whether it being my own blood tracking dog, the Caracal dog pack or watching "Cops" when they show the dogs taking down the bad guy on the thermal camera.
My personal opinion....do it. I think it's a great experience. Shots are close. Around 5-10 yds. By the time that you catch up to the dogs, the cat will usually be up the tree. Take care of shooting too low at these close distances. Also choose your taxidermist wisely, since there are not many who get the face right, should you decide on a full mount.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

 

[Bobpuckett]

I agree with Marius it would be alot like hunting Bobcat or Mountain Lion or even Black Bear with hounds. Heck nobody thinks twice here in the south about putting a pack of beagles on a rabbits butt should be real fun. Go for it!

 

[BRICKBURN]

This guy does not use dogs (from what I can see) but man does he look like a dedicated Caracal and Jackal "management consultant."

He obviously loves to call them.

|Jaracal Animal Damage Control Index|Jackal hunting|Caracal Hunting|lynx|South Africa| Small stock losses|sheep losses|

 

[Diamondhitch]

Like any hound hunt I am sure the fun is in the chase and the shot is anticlimatic, simply a fitting end to the chase. Im sure it would be a blast. I will be calling them this year as Brickburn has suggested, that should be a blast too!

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Agree with Marius on this one, Marius do the Long family and the Ford's still run their dogs in the Grahamstown, and surrounds? Use too hunt a bunch of them when I was at John X..... Just curious.

My best always.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Agree with Marius on this one, Marius do the Long family and the Ford's still run their dogs in the Grahamstown, and surrounds? Use too hunt a bunch of them when I was at John X..... Just curious.

My best always.

Jaco,
I know a couple of Long's and Ford's in the area, but was not aware that they run a dog pack.Will definately look into it. I make use of one or two other hound masters in the Committee's Drift area.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Marius, it was about 13 years ago so my memory could be fading, but for some reason Bev Long jumps to mind?? Also treed a couple around kukyu in those days Harry Fourie managed the lodge for a foreign owner, on the gravel towards Alexandria.

Not to hijack as I said it just brought back memories, of those days... hound hunts on Caracal are awesome I enjoyed it allot.

My best

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Jaco,
Harry is still at Kikuyo. Last time I hunted there was last year. That is some serious hunting space that they have there....

 

[billc]

So sounds like a hunt a 13 year old boy would enjoy alot.Maybe even then let him take the cat with his bow to add to the fun.Will these cats come to calls at night also.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

So sounds like a hunt a 13 year old boy would enjoy alot.Maybe even then let him take the cat with his bow to add to the fun.Will these cats come to calls at night also.

Billc,
Caracals do react to predator calling, but your chances will be slim. Even the best callers in the country, who controls predators for a living , wont be able to guarentee that you will even see a cat. Calling a caracal is very hit and miss. First you need to find its home range, which can be huge.The cat needs to be in the immediate area, and even this does not guarentee that it will react.
Personally, I would not recommend taking it with the bow. You get some pretty big caracal, some even close to the size of a female leopard. I have also seen some cats come out of the tree to fight with the dogs. I just feel that a bow will not give you that knockdown effect, between the cat taking the hit and being too weak to fight on. The fact is that the arrow will zip through so quickly, leaving you with an aggravated cat for a couple of minutes before the end. Not the ideal situation you want to be in with a 13 year old. My advise would be to take it with the rifle.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

 

[Wolverine67]

Are shotguns allowed? Since we are talking seriously short range, I mean.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Are shotguns allowed? Since we are talking seriously short range, I mean.

I feel shotguns will really make a mess of the skin at such close ranges, as majority of clients choose to do a full mount. I had a client take his with his .357 Mag, which was fine. Just think a rifle does it quick and cleanly.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I feel shotguns will really make a mess of the skin at such close ranges.

That was my first thought too, not much pattern that close.

 

[BRICKBURN]

That was my first thought too, not much pattern that close.

Open your chokes up wide and use #5 shot.
No mess, no big holes.
Done this one on Coyotes lots at 15 yards.

Those .375 solids should do the trick to.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Open your chokes up wide and use #5 shot.
No mess, no big holes.
Done this one on Coyotes lots at 15 yards.

Those .375 solids should do the trick to.

15 yards yes, 5 yards no. When I look in my crystal ball I see an angry taxidermist!

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

@ Billc, I need to disagree, having done multiple Leopard over hounds with bow on those hound hunts as well let say 4 at least with bow over hounds, I just can't see caracal causing you a larger issue than a pissed off spotted Tom with a bow.

What is challenging on cats (treed) with a bow is getting the shot as there are very few windows to thread an arrow through.... most of the time.... and when they are presented they are extremely small.... I am sure that with some effort and good skill as far as bow handling and pin point shot placement is concerned, that it could be done... no worries.

I had one charge on Leopard with a bow over hounds and that was due to the fact that the cat did not tree,.. and we tried to reflush it, with the hopes of the dogs keeping in persuit and it treeing after being flushed again.... As you can imagine it did flush but instead of running away ended up on Jason's (hounds men shot gun barrel) and took some shooting from the both of us to get it of!!! .

Matt was still on full draw and never got the time to release an arrow, the others went without much incident, I know Nico and Roy, as well as Tristan also did many of them with bow.

If he is set on bow.. do it..... it can be done.... he has nothing to fear but fear itself, it will be an awesome experience for the young man.

Enjoy it and please post pictures.

My best always.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Sorry Billc,
I was under the impression that you wanted your 13 year old son to take the caracal with a bow. If its going to be you, like Jaco said, go ahead, take it with the bow. Just did not feel comfortable putting a kid in that situation.
Remember to post pics!

 

[billc]

No need for a sorry here.It was for my son and anyone can comment on this subject.I was thinking of him taking with bow.At 10 to 20 yds he is as good as me shooting his bow.Plus if there is trouble he can run faster then me.LOL He is really starting to enjoy bow hunting and likes to do things that maybe alittle harder or more daring then normal.Right now his first wish is to take an eland with his bow on the next trip.I have learned with him give him the guidelines on what needs done and he will practice to get it right.Thanks for all the comments and info sounds like this may make the list now also.We will have a bow and gun so we can decide when we get there best way to try for the cat.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

@Marius, I also understood that his son wanted to do it, and I still do not see the problem (just my opinion).
@Billc any well experienced guide will be able to put your son in the ideal and safe position.... prior and post shot.... to take a Caracal over hounds, I truly feel that this should not be a major concern, for safety when hunting with a well experienced guide, I do understand that safety cones first but do not consider it any more dangerous than having a child of 10 or 15 take a Buff, or any dangerous game with a rifle.

Talk to your outfitter/guide and hear what his feelings are, if you need someone for that day,... Either me or Jaques Spamer will take care of your boy with all the care and attention that I or we would give our own children.

My best always.