BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[New2BigGame]

I'm finally, FINALLY planning my long awaited leopard hunt.

(My first big game hunt...)

I've decided on Namibia for several reasons. Reputation, direct flights from Germany(I'm in USA), natural beauty, and finally, the new RSA gun transport laws.

I have my firearm of choice, the AmericanSafari CZ 550 .375 H&H magnum.

I would appreciate any recommendations regarding Safari operators in Namibia. I'd like to keep my trip to 10 days or under.

Also, any scope recommendations for the CZ would be greatly appreciated. I understand many hunts are on low light conditions.

Thanks

[kevin davis]

congratulations on your decision. i hope you enjoy your trip. namibia is a great place to hunt and certainly a much better place to import a rifle.

for a leopard, anything over a .270 is an adequate caliber. if you will use the .375, make sure you get a lot of practice in before the hunt so you are very familiar with your rifle. i would probably go with a 270 grain bullet for the leopard. a solid will make less of an exit hole, but a soft point will also work. i used a .300 win mag, remington 180 grain corelokt and it worked very well.

most leopard hunts are 12-14 days in length just to give enough time. you can certainly leave after 10 days, but you may leave without the leopard and you put the PH in a bind for time and effort.

i hunted with farm westfalenhof ( look under die keiler for your search). another source of info would be www. accuratereloading.com, where you will find many leopard hunts and references, many for namibia.

good luck.

[New2BigGame]

KevinDavis,

Thanks very much for the reply. I found a great deal through one of the links on
www.accuratereloading.com. (great site) I've decided to stay 14 days, if not 21.

I live in northern Nevada, where we have very abundant cougar hunting, so I'll have some practice before Namibia.

I'm sure everyone here (I'm just getting back into hunting after a LONG time of working too much too take vacations) is more familiar with hunting than I. However, I think it should be mentioned how many cougar tags in Nevada go unpurchased. In many areas, just due to lack of interest....

Want big cat practice? Come to Nevada:

http://www.ndow.org/hunt/seasons/mtlion.shtm#table

Thanks

[Single Malt]

unless you plan on hunting with hounds expect low results on harvesting a Nambia cat...there are much better placed in Africa to hunt them...99% of Namibia is ranch land where Mr. Spots has been persecuted relentlesssly..don't expect to get one in the tree during the day...it can happen but unlikely. Hound hunts are expensive, too.

[kevin davis]

hound hunts will add about $3,000-3,500 to the cost but increase your odds by about 25-35% over a non-hound hunt. i am glad you will stay longer. if you can, add a mountain zebra or something else to your bag since most of your mornings will be driving the bait stations or hunting bait and some choice animals come up unexpectedly. you do not have a lot of time to ponder yes or no in those situations. ::-k