This is the Guruve Pass from Zimbabwe looking over the
escarpment into the ancient and mysterious
Zambezi Valley.
shoot if the cat returned, as he had been able to determine the cat
was a mature male. It was now the leopard’s move in this match.
I began to consider my reward might have been just the
opportunity to see such a majestic animal in the tree, as he might
never return having sensed something was out of place. Minutes
went by and then there was the sound of claws on the tree bark
followed by silence. The leopard then mysteriously and silently
appeared on the limb materializing out of the drizzling rain like
a ghost. The cat displayed his incredible strength by grabbing the
heavy bait and lifting it with one paw to the top of the branch. I
picked a spot on the leopard’s shoulder for the crosshairs of the
scope, and mentally tried to calm my excitement and laboured
breathing. I thought to myself the entire hunt now came down
to this moment as I began to squeeze the trigger. I fired. The
big cat hit the branch belly first, rolled from the branch and
then disappeared into the tall grass under the tree as it fell to
the ground.
After collecting myself, Wayne and I discussed the next
step. I could stay and he would go investigate, but he honoured
me by stating I could accompany him as back up if I desired
to come along. It was suddenly pitch black dark as the storm
clouds rapidly dissipated any remaining twilight.
Crawling up the slippery riverbank near the bait tree in the
dark I began to question my judgment. The leopard definitely
had the advantage. He could come from anywhere and there
were plenty of places to hide. He would know our presence
by sound while we did not know where he was. I felt good
about the shot, but a wounded leopard is one of Africa’s most
dangerous animals and will almost always attack. Sean had the
scars to prove what kind of damage a wounded leopard can do
in only seconds. The grass under the tree was chest high. We
crept forward with guns ready covering each other while trying
to balance the rifle and a flashlight.
We carefully made sufficient forward progress until we were
nearly under the limb from which the bait was hung. When you
cannot see your quarry after the shot, a follow-up on any of the
dangerous game animals can be nerve-wracking. Oddly enough,
adrenaline fed perception and sensory capacities helped me reach
a clear and calm approach to the task at hand. I was acutely aware
of my surroundings, and the need to carefully ensure a clear shot
at the leopard to avoid shooting Wayne, even if it meant I could
not get the shot. My mental faculties were strengthened by a
command of my abilities with the rifle and the trust placed in my
professional hunter. Wayne’s light picked up spots in the grass.
There was no need to say an ything for we both knew it was the
leopard. We moved slightly to obtain a better view, and could
see he was crouched merely feet away on his belly in a springing
position facing us with his head lying flat on the ground. We
watched the sides of the leopard to see if he was breathing. There
was no movement. After a few minutes of carefully studying
him for any movement, Wayne moved forward and said, “…
he’s done. A perfect shot.” The leopard measured six feet, ten
inches in length. Our persistence to literally weather the storm
had paid off with a memorable hunt.
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