Oh where oh where can I find MR. SPOTS????

[Buckdog]

Hey guys I want a leopard!! So I need the help and advice of all of you good folks out there that have hunted leopards or know someone who has. I just want a mature tom, don't need a huge one.
The number one important thing to me will be which country, area and PH has the highest success rate. What month to go?
I will hunt Mr. Spots any which way that is legal be that day or night or with dogs.
I would love a deal from any of our resident sponsors!
In that regard should I wait for a cancelation?
Thanks to all the great guys and gals on this forum for help in the past and future.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

@Nyamazana Safaris has a great deal on Leopard running at the moment. I have hunted with Wayne personally, and can vouch that he is a stand up guy. His deal will allow for the hunt to be conducted over hounds as well.

 

[rinehart0050]

I'm interested in this as well.

Hope to hunt leopard in the next few years. I have concerns about spending 30k+ Just to come back empty handed.

 

[johnnyblues]

I'm interested in this as well.

Hope to hunt leopard in the next few years. I have concerns about spending 30k+ Just to come back empty handed.

This is true.....I spent 16k without a spot to show!

 

[jpr792]

Hey guys I want a leopard!! So I need the help and advice of all of you good folks out there that have hunted leopards or know someone who has. I just want a mature tom, don't need a huge one.
The number one important thing to me will be which country, area and PH has the highest success rate. What month to go?
I will hunt Mr. Spots any which way that is legal be that day or night or with dogs.
I would love a deal from any of our resident sponsors!
In that regard should I wait for a cancelation?
Thanks to all the great guys and gals on this forum for help in the past and future.

Buckdog
Enjoy the planning process.
Take note that no night time hunting in Namibia is allowed.
The same applies for hunting with dogs - not allowed in Namibia.

 

[Bullet Safaris]

Hello, I can do the hunts...Leopard is kind of our thing!
It is not the cheapest hunt but it is the most successful.
if you are serious about booking a leopard hunt then I would like to explain what we can offer.
sincerely - Nathan Askew

 

[Buckdog]

Rhinehart and jonny blues I am definitely on board with your thought as I don't want to drop a whole lot of dollars down the drain and not a spot to be found!! I know lots of stories of 2-3 hunts to just see one leopard and many many thousands of dollars down the drain!!!!!!!!! thus the post. If leopards are a 2 or 3 hunt at $25,000 a pop then you can keep leopards but if , just if the odds can be increased with the right country, ph etc then I am in

 

[johnnyblues]

That being said leopard hunting is leopard hunting. I don't care what country in or PH your hunting with. They are IMO one of the most difficult trophies in Africa to obtain. I ve spoken to guys who said as you did "let me hunt in Zim" where the odds are better. Only to be unsuccessful. You have to be more than willing to come home empty handed.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Look at the RECENT pictures in the hunt reports. and those Outfitters reports and webpages.

Then ask the questions of those individuals.
Who, Where, When, How, etc.
That may show the pattern you are looking for.

 

[cpr0312]

You have to be more than willing to come home empty handed.

No doubt, very good point!

 

[gillettehunter]

First I'll echo the sentiment about the hunt that Wayne is offering. That has the potential to be a great hunt at a fair price. There is a similar thread over on the other network. Essentially the advice is this:
1) Hire the best cat hunter you can as your PH. Some are listed on the other network. Obviously some guys have more experience with cats. You don't want a newby that has never hunted the area.
2) Have him pick the area and the best timing of your hunt. He is the pro and knows what he is doing.
3) Currently hunters in Zambia and Tanz with good PH's are having VERY good success as well as selected areas in Zim. Namibia is spotty and lots of homework needs to done.
4) Pre-bait if legal. Get a head start on having cats working baits before you get there.
5) Don't base your decision on price alone. Better to spend $30K and be successful the first time than to have to go 2 times at $20K each.
Try not to go when lots of baby hartebeast, gemsbucks and wilderbeasts are being born. Try to hunt when the cats have to work some for food. The PH should be able to give you the local intel on that.
My disclaimer. I've never hunted a cat. Just read way too many reports where the hunter never saw one. If it was me I'd probably go to Zambia if I had a choice.....
Bruce

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

From what I read and thus meaning never experienced, Zambia seems to be the most consistent at producing leopard for hunters. Have read numerous reports of multiple day time sightings at a bait, to the point of almost being choosy on the Tom taken. But the Zambians know this, and you will pay for the privilege.

If you're going to SCI, there's a booking agent there that works with outfitters in Zambia. I've not used the agent, but he has a very good reputation. I'd be happy to introduce you to him, just let me know.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Hmm...kind of like Kodiak bear hunting. I spent over $42k trying for one, but only got close enough to an 8’ bear which I didn’t want. Screwed up several years of hunting since I’m on a fixed income. Whine, whine, whine! Believe me I can relate to your concern. The problem is it’s hunting and not killing. A decent PH is going to do his absolute best for you, because if successful, he gets great reviews.
Best of luck in your pursuit!

 

[rafaellinne]

If sucess rate is the main point, choose a place you can hunt legally at night, too. Aim for areas in Zim where that is allowed

 

[CAustin]

I think Mr Spots can be found with a good size check. It’s on my bucket list for sure!

 

[Philip Glass]

Rhinehart and jonny blues I am definitely on board with your thought as I don't want to drop a whole lot of dollars down the drain and not a spot to be found!! I know lots of stories of 2-3 hunts to just see one leopard and many many thousands of dollars down the drain!!!!!!!!! thus the post. If leopards are a 2 or 3 hunt at $25,000 a pop then you can keep leopards but if , just if the odds can be increased with the right country, ph etc then I am in

I took my leopard on my third try and the 40th day afield for leopard. I can recommend Scott Bailey who was my PH this last June. If we had not gotten the leopard we did get there was another on bait next to Matopos hills National Park where the largest leopard in the world are. He is reasonably priced and a great guy to hunt with. PM me if interested in getting in touch with Scott.
Philip

 

[Buckdog]

I think Mr Spots can be found with a good size check. It’s on my bucket list for sure!

caustin i think damn near anything can be found except a leopard with a big check as i hear about lots of big checks written and still no leopard scares me as I dont like to write big checks and get skunked

 

[Buckdog]

From what I read and thus meaning never experienced, Zambia seems to be the most consistent at producing leopard for hunters. Have read numerous reports of multiple day time sightings at a bait, to the point of almost being choosy on the Tom taken. But the Zambians know this, and you will pay for the privilege.

If you're going to SCI, there's a booking agent there that works with outfitters in Zambia. I've not used the agent, but he has a very good reputation. I'd be happy to introduce you to him, just let me know.

phil,
I agree with you about zambia, wont be at SCI this yr can you please PM me the name of the agent. I know of one already but he is definitely very pricey$$$$

 

[Buckdog]

I took my leopard on my third try and the 40th day afield for leopard. I can recommend Scott Bailey who was my PH this last June. If we had not gotten the leopard we did get there was another on bait next to Matopos hills National Park where the largest leopard in the world are. He is reasonably priced and a great guy to hunt with. PM me if interested in getting in touch with Scott.
Philip

Phillip I am going to try and send you a PM but not sure i know how so if it doesnt work please send me a PM
thank you and everyone for helping

 

[johnnyblues]

@Buckdog sounds like you may not be quite ready to pull the trigger on this hunt. NO INSULT intended. I know you have vast experience in the game, but Mr. Spots has burned the very best in the industry. This truly is a hunt where failure is very possible. It’s extremely tough mentally and believe it it or not physically on some levels. Sleep deprivation is very real. Hours of boredom miles and miles of checking baits. That being said I too am hoping to go back next year if my guy gets a tag. If I do go back I know what to expect and do some things differently. This will be my last attempt on the great cat I believe. Money of course is a factor and I completely understand your apprehension of coming back empty handed. So now here’s something you never hear about leopard hunting, do you spend less in say Namibia and go twice or spend more and go to say zim or Zambia? If you have to go twice in those countries you’ve really spent a lot of money. A lot less if you go back to say Namibia twice. Bottom line on this hunt IMO pick a country with good success rates, a ph with vast experience and just hope for the best.