Jack Brittingham's 2003 African Hunt
Field Report #7 - July 19, 2003
Ugalla River Camp
Hello everybody,
Here is the latest report from our Ugalla River camp:
We are having good action here, in the Ugalla River Camp. The day after I shot the hippo, we spent our morning and afternoon hanging baits for leopard. We set up four locations along the Ugalla and Walla rivers.
That night we had hippo for dinner and it was good. Maybe not the best meat over here but not at all bad. In the morning we went on a long walk along the Ugalla River looking for a big croc. We saw many that were potentially what we were looking for, something approaching 15 feet. We logged in their locations in the GPS and continued on. I guess we walked about seven miles, seeing about five big boys.
At lunchtime the truck met us after checking the baits. two had been hit and both tracks were large. Since it was getting late we went to the closest one and began building a blind. We only finished it about 4:30 and immediately climbed in the blind. The whole time we were building the blind there was a group guinea fowl making lots of noise about 200 yards from where we were working. We felt the cat was laid up close to the birds, and not long after the vehicle left, the warning calls of several different kinds of birds began sounding closer and closer to our blind. At 5:08 the leopard climbed quickly into the tree! He was only about 45 yards away with the sun shining right on him. He immediately began ripping at the bait and we watched him feed for twenty minutes before I decided to shoot. He was blind in his right eye which looked very unusual. It had a white film over it which almost glowed when the sun hit it.
I decided to wait until he rested from feeding before taking the shot. When he stopped feeding he turned to face the blind, and I didn't want to shoot him from that angle. Just as he turned to reach for the bait I fired with the 375. He froze in place, shot directly through both shoulders, and the heart. After a few seconds, he lost his grip on the tree and slid off the limb. there was a very loud "thump" when he hit the ground. The video we got was outstanding and it will be rare footage having been taken in such good light.
We eased out of the blind and moved to the base of the tree where he was laying. What a beautiful cat! I would guess his weight at about 150 pounds with an empty stomach. we took a bunch of photos and I will try to send you one. The lighting was perfect as the sun was just getting low in the western sky.
Yesterday morning we walked about twelve miles along the upper end of the Ugalla, looking for more croc. We saw some nice ones but nothing as big as the day before. We have settled on one croc in particular and will set up a blind and a bait to see if we can lure him out of the water for a chance at a brain shot. The next day or two will tell the tale on our success with the crocs.
Ray has managed to pick up a great Lichtenstein's Hartebeest ... probably top ten in the records. He also killed a very nice Sable, as well. He continues to hunt for lion but has yet to find a big male. He has had a close call with a big Roan Antelope and bush pig but was not successful. Time is still on his side and I am sure he will have more close encounters over the next few days.
I will keep you posted as to our success.
Take care,
Jack
Next: Ugalla River Update