Two years ago at the Central Ohio SCI Fund Raiser I purchased a 14 Day Leopard hunt with Gunther Heimstadt owner of Holstein Hunting Ranch in Outjo Namibia. Little did I know what an experience I would have on this hunt. On Sept. 15, 2006 my wife (Pam) and I started for Columbus , Ohio where we met up with our good friends Tom/Becky Pausche and Tony/Ann Gioffre, after enjoying a wonderful evening of great dinning and wine at Bravo's we called it an night for an early flight the next morning. As most flights to African go it was hurry up and wait in this line and then run to the next, and then 23 hours later you arrive with great anticipation that the only bag you want to see is your hunting rifles/bow.

Upon arriving and getting settled in at the ranch, I was introduced to my PH who I would be hunting Leopard with. My PH was simple known as Donnie, a man who had spent 10 years in the Namibia/Angola war. Now that’s what I call protection. Donnie and I hit it off right from the start, he was very knowledgeable about Leopard and Leopard hunting. I insisted in helping to put bait out and spread the bait around the hunting area. To me getting involved in all the aspects of the hunt is what its all about.

Once the baits where set, it was up to the Leopard to tell us where to build the blind. It didn’t take long after only a couple of days one bait produced a set of leopard tracks (7” across) and was minus several pounds of rotten springbok meat. This was getting exciting. We constructed a blind about 30yrds from the bait and begin our evening vigils. After several evenings of boredom it happened a cat in the tree. However, enthusiasm soon deemed when a small female leopard (90lbs) climbed the tree and began feeding on my bait. Again, the next morning we began to really stink up the area with all kinds of tasty items, by the time we got done it was a wonder that my wife would every allow me to sit within 50 yds of her again. We knew we had a big cat in the area and that he was running with a smaller female. Could this be the female cat that was feeding on my bait. The tracks told the story, upon checking the bait tree again, it was evident that a large male leopard had came into the bait tree around 4 a.m. and had left before daylight.

That evening we again set up in the blind, but the only thing that came in was a very small Lynx. I had to admire the little fellow, he stood under that tree with the bait hanging 10ft over his head trying to find a way to get to it. His determination brought new hope that my leopard would come, all I had to do was believe and have faith and spread 20lbs more of the stinky stuff The next morning the bait was checked with no results. As Donnie and I had lunch that day we talked about our next move. As Donnie explained, leopards don’t feed every day, they go for two or three days and then feed again. Today, we would get out about 4:00 p.m. and take a tracker with us to help spread more bait and lay a bigger trail. As we headed out, the back of the truck was filled with all kinds of goodies for the leopard, including 50 million flies, we got to the area to start dragging the bait and leaving a fresh blood trail, Donnie put me in the drivers seat and he and the tracker began laying the trail to the bait tree up and down as I drove very slowly. Once that was completed we headed to the trail leading to the bait tree.

Upon arriving at our drop off point about 100yrds from the bait we got out and as the tracker was preparing to drive the truck away we spotted our Leopard sitting on a rocky outcrop about 80/90 yards up the mountain watching us put out his dinner. Without hesitation I pulled my rifle from the rack, and put the 1.5x5 Leupold scope on the big cat, as I steadied for the shot the cross-hairs settled on the upper chest and neck area, with a small exhalation of air I squeezed off my shot. The big cat let our a roar and turn a complete flip backwards. Jumping up and down, we could hardly believe our luck, congratulations, pats on the back and a lot of laughter continued up the mountain and to where the leopard lay. However, jubilation soon turned to dismay when we reached the area where the cat had tumbled backward only to find a lot of blood but no Leopard.

As we looked over the area, it was apparent what our next step would be, track a wounded Leopard across rocky outcrop, through dense under growth, until I finished the job. Returning to the truck, Donnie pulled out his European made 12ga/243 Shotgun and loaded it with a single round each. As we began to make a plan, Donnie said to me, there is a fine line between Bravery and Insanity and we are about to walk that line. I want you on my left side, have your safety off and cover your trigger guard with your hand so as not to catch a branch on the trigger. The tracker was placed on my left and carried a two foot machete.

We picked up the trail and began the slow arduous task of following the sign, down the mountain, around the rocky outcrops, never knowing what lay ahead behind the next rock, tree or bush. We found sign where the cat attempted to climb a tree but was unable too, sign where he had torn up the grass and trees in an attempt to ease his pain. Several times Donnie would turn to me and ask if I was ok, as we continued on, my mind turned to another time and place where once I had the same identical feelings...1969 Elephant Grass Valley, Republic of South Viet Nam, 1st Marine Division. And I asked myself the same question, “What I am Doing Here”. As I cleared my head and got on with the task at hand, Donnie turned to me and said, “Remember that line I spoke about, the one between Bravery and Insanity, as I nodded he said well we are about to step over that line.”

Within two more steps, our world turned to Insanity, the growl came first, then a blur of gold filed my scope, the sharp report of the rifle in my hand, minus the felt recoil. As I unknowingly put another round in the tube, the rifle jumped in my hand and again I neither heard nor felt as she spoke.

The big cat fell to the ground and lay at my feet, those big green eyes still had life in them and they were staring at me, again she spoke and I new that I had finished my task. As I turned to my right I saw Donnie with his shotgun at the ready, but never firing a shot, we looked at each other and smiled, then laughed and then cried, as we both turned to find the tracker we noticed that he was about fifty yards behind us with his 2 foot machete still cutting a path at a very fast rate heading back to the truck.

Upon closer examination of the Leopard, we found that the first round had caught him in the neck, passing through the muscle between the spine and artery, the second was directly into the chest along with the third. The cat had taken refuge under a tree in waist high grass, when we walked by the tree he allowed Donnie to pass and started his charge as I approached. Donnie paced it off at 6 yards. from the initial attack, and the cat lay dead 4 feet from where I was standing.

The Leopard measured 7 foot 1 inch, 160lbs with a skull measurement of 16 1/8