I had made four previous trips to the Dark Continent without feline success - a few mistakes, bad luck and no excuses. My cat fever was rekindled when I saw my buddy’s massive leopard and heard his recommendation of outfitter Martin Pieters... “If you have the bug to kill a big leopard, then he is your guy.” So, after speaking to Martin I was hooked and ready to jump on a plane. Unfortunately, family obligations, a full surgery schedule, and then the Pandemic led to a frustrating two-year delay.
I loved the .300 but it had no red-light shooting dot.
By the end of August 2021, I was invited, ticketed, COVID-vaccinated and tested, licensed, permitted and packed. I decided to take two rifles, my .416 REM and my .300 RUM with TSX and Accubond bullets. With a kiss for good luck and safety, my wife dropped me off, and I was on my way to Zimbabwe.
A day later, I stepped off the plane in Johannesburg to be greeted by representatives of the Afton Lodge where I would spend the night prior to leaving for Bulawayo. I was ready for the usual guns, ammo, license song-and-dance delay, but everything went as smooth as silk. Preparation and familiarity that the lodge’s personnel had with the people and processes at the Weapons Control made all the difference, and literally 40 minutes after landing, we were headed for the lodge and a cold beer. After the previous five
