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"Ten
days before I was to leave the states the word from Africa
was three active baits. One of the baits had the largest
leopard tracks the PH ( Gerard Erasmus with Sumsare Safari's
) had ever seen. It was my understanding that Gerard had
four bait sites. I liked the odds.
Arriving in South
Africa and meeting my friend Eric Sorour ( Limcroma
Safari's) he informed me that two of the baits had gone cold
but the fourth had become active. The big track bait was
still active. I scheduled twenty days to get my first
leopard. Did not know if I would be fortunate enough to
succeed but I would give it every chance I could.
Arrived in Namibia
the next morning, by that afternoon we were checking bait
sites. There was no fresh track at the baits we checked but
was impressed with the effort to thoroughly check the area
for sign. The next day (#2) we went to check the big track
bait. The local farmer whose land we had access to was very
happy to see us as there was still activity around the bait
according to him. He wanted us to start hunting that day.
At the bait Gerard and Eric along with the local bushmen
determined that the track was about 24 hrs. old. The bait
was hit but not seriously, we would continue to check the
other baits. Day 3 found us at the fourth bait, some track
several days old that indicated that the cat new of the bait
but no active feeding. The bait was changed and the area
dragged with intestine. The next morning (#4) we checked the
baits that were checked the first day. Brown hyena, honey
badger, baboon, jackal track but no leopard sign. The
afternoon of the fourth day we were at the big track bait
again. No activity at the immediate bait site but sign a
little closer than day 2 . Gerard took this as a good sign.
We would check this area again the next day.
It was decided
that the big track bait would be the first bait we would
actually sit (day 5). The track was no closer but still
active in the area. The building of the blind is truly an
impressive process to see. Everything made to be perfectly
natural and absolutely quiet inside. We did not have
everything needed for the night session so a trip back to
the lodge was needed. Gerard contacted the lodge and the
needed equipment is started on it's way to save time. I was
left at the farmer's house to try and rest. I truly tried to
get some sleep as it was possibly going to be a long sit at
the bait. I did not rest at all.
In the blind about
4PM, not much activity before dark. I close my eyes
practicing going to the gun by feel. Continue to practice
going to the gun after it gets dark. There is no way a
person could be ready to shoot in the absolute darkness
without the gun being ready and practicing the feel of
getting set in the darkness. The night brings out all kind
of noise. Maybe the noise is always there and the dark just
heightens the awareness. Seems like all manor of animal
trying to get pieces of the bait. Well into the night we
hear what sounds like something larger eating at the bait.
Shortly after we hear that, all hell breaks loose. The night
explodes with two creatures fighting, sounds like they are
in the blind with us. The fighting stops as quickly as it
starts and everything is quiet again. In the darkness of the
blind I am aware that our breathing is louder. Again noise
at the bait, meat tearing and bone breaking. I fell the get
ready signal from Gerard ( one touch on the leg ). I go to
the gun turning on the scope reticle, making sure I look
over the scope. My pulse quickens and I am sure my heartbeat
can be heard. Breathing becomes stronger which I try
to control. The light on signal is felt on my leg ( two
touches on the leg ) and very quickly the spot light
illuminates the bait site. I drop to the scope and see a big
honey badger. Gerard and I both say very quietly honey
badger at the same time and the light goes out. I turn the
scope off and sit back, I'm shaking. How intense was that!
We sit quietly trying to get composed as it is still
somewhat early AT 10 or 10:30 pm, something could still
happen. Nothing happens though as we sit in the dark with
our thoughts. Gerard calls it a night about 1AM. We leave as
quickly and quietly as possible when the truck arrives.
During the drive
to the farmers house we discuss the hunt. What was the
fight, did a honey badger drive off a leopard ( that happens
). Were we quiet enough, did the wind betray us, we'll know
in the morning. Again sleep does not come easily as I watch
the dawn break. Back at the bait tracks show it was two
honey badgers fighting. No leopard track in the immediate
area. We are relieved.
Discussing the
night back at the lodge Gerard's only real concern was we
(me) needed to be a little quieter. Silence is the most
important thing. Gerard sends me to bed reminding me that
when he suggests rest that is what I need to do. There might
be many, many more nights in the blind and I need to stay
sharp. I do get some sleep this time.
Back at the big
track bait the sixth day, second night in the blind. The
bushmen have dragged stomach and intestine a long way down
the dry riverbed that the bait is set in to distribute scent
and they leave. This sit we start out a little more relaxed.
Time goes by and soon it is dark. I continue to practice
going to the gun. What seems like not too long after dark we
hear faint sounds at the bait. This could be anything. Later
I hear meat tearing and heavy bone break. This sounds
different from the night before. I hear Eric and Gerard
moving around in the dark the I feel one touch on my leg. I
go to the gun turning on the reticle, head above the scope.
Two touches and the light comes on and I see my first
leopard in the wild. I drop to the scope (he seems big) put
the crosshair on the nearest shoulder and squeeze the
trigger "BOOM". After the shot all you hear is the roar of
the leopard, it's deafening. I watch him flip in one spot
three times I think trying to get what is hurting him. He
then rolls to the side inside the bait site and it gets
quiet. I hear Gerard say good shot man, good shot, that's a
big leopard, good shot. That's the exact word's everyone
wants to hear. We start to celebrate but Gerard quiets us
down. We hear the cat's last breath and start to celebrate
again.
The truck is
called for and everyone loads into the bed with guns ready.
The bushmen are driving and get the truck as close to the
bait as possible. We see him dead in the bait area. The
leopard is removed from the bait area and we see that he is
a very big cat. Gerard remarks that it is probably the
biggest leopard he has ever seen much less guided a hunter
too. Back at the lodge everyone is woke up and the whole
camp celebrates.
The next day after
the cat is skinned Gerard takes some quick measurements of
the skull then disappears for awhile. When he returns it
seems that it is possible that the leopard might score as a
top ten kill in the SCI record book. Maybe the best recorded
kill ever in Namibia. We are truly amazed and grateful.
I have thanked
everyone involved many times for making this happen. I will
do it again. To my new friend Gerard Erasmus with Sumsare
Safaris, to my good friend Eric Sorour with Limcroma
Safari's. Davvid with Horenhorst farms, Hannes Els, Al
Weaver with Limcroma Safari's. Gentleman my thanks and
gratitude.
Jody
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