Re: Devprayag Part 2
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:33 pm
Like I said earlier. You can not have the same yardstick for all maneating leopards.
Each animal is an individual in itself.
The four maneaters I have been part of hunting down have all been unique experiences in their own way. Apart for the unsuccessful hunts.
All in themselves an amazing learning experience.
I have only hunted female leopards till date. This was the first Male.
I feel the animal was fearless beause of his sex.
I could be wrong....but the male sexual hormone testosterone can do a lot to men .....leave alone a wild big cat.
This animal was not just bold and fearless.
This one was boisterous.
At 9 pm after all the movement on the road and the goat bleating relentlessly.
I was sure the maneater was no where near.
I got up from the chair and kicked it aside.
I had gone through a lot from the locals. They had not missed words to disgrace me......Calling me a watchman (chaukidar) to a unfit man who can not walk on the hills. A city dweller. Not one of their own.
The frustration of unsuccessful hunt was weighing heavily on me.
I had to vent out and found my scapegoat in Safarigent.
Jumped on to the roof and sat there.
"It's all over guys". I said. "Pack up and lets leave."
"Your plan to hang the bait on the tree was a waste. It works in Africa in the open savanna where the foul smell of the carcass travels far and wide. Not in the Hills......You have got your foot sprained and we have being walking up and down these mountains like a fu###ng mule. You should realise I am almost twice your age....blah blah ......which I do not wish to repeat.
It was all the frustration coming out and I feel so sorry for saying those harsh words now.
"Zaheer cigarette pilaiye".
We finished our cigarettes and were chatting away to glory when the goat made a funny sound.
Very different from what it was making all this while.
I casually told Zaheer "Light jalaiye."
We were in for a shock when we saw the leopard sitting right there.
"Light band karo"....I told Zaheer. My rifle was lying on the side. Arjun had pulled up his.
When I had my rifle on the shoulder as well.
Zaheer switched on the light again.
As mentioned earlier. The animal was getting disturbed by the light.
Sure enough we saw ....instead of pouncing on the bait. The maneater had now turned around.
He had probably seen the dead goat hanging closeby and would come back later for it rather than make a fresh kill.
I am not sure.
But what we do know was that this one was getting away and we had to shoot fast.
Three shots were fired and the maneater dropped dead . On the spot.
Arjuns first shot had hit the neck. Mine had hit the upper shoulder closer to the spine.
The maneater would have felt little pain. Died immediately.
I checked the time. 930 pm. The same time when more than a fortnight ago .....It had killed the woman.
Like in Fulsaini.
We managed to save the bait and kill the maneater.
Each animal is an individual in itself.
The four maneaters I have been part of hunting down have all been unique experiences in their own way. Apart for the unsuccessful hunts.
All in themselves an amazing learning experience.
I have only hunted female leopards till date. This was the first Male.
I feel the animal was fearless beause of his sex.
I could be wrong....but the male sexual hormone testosterone can do a lot to men .....leave alone a wild big cat.
This animal was not just bold and fearless.
This one was boisterous.
At 9 pm after all the movement on the road and the goat bleating relentlessly.
I was sure the maneater was no where near.
I got up from the chair and kicked it aside.
I had gone through a lot from the locals. They had not missed words to disgrace me......Calling me a watchman (chaukidar) to a unfit man who can not walk on the hills. A city dweller. Not one of their own.
The frustration of unsuccessful hunt was weighing heavily on me.
I had to vent out and found my scapegoat in Safarigent.
Jumped on to the roof and sat there.
"It's all over guys". I said. "Pack up and lets leave."
"Your plan to hang the bait on the tree was a waste. It works in Africa in the open savanna where the foul smell of the carcass travels far and wide. Not in the Hills......You have got your foot sprained and we have being walking up and down these mountains like a fu###ng mule. You should realise I am almost twice your age....blah blah ......which I do not wish to repeat.
It was all the frustration coming out and I feel so sorry for saying those harsh words now.
"Zaheer cigarette pilaiye".
We finished our cigarettes and were chatting away to glory when the goat made a funny sound.
Very different from what it was making all this while.
I casually told Zaheer "Light jalaiye."
We were in for a shock when we saw the leopard sitting right there.
"Light band karo"....I told Zaheer. My rifle was lying on the side. Arjun had pulled up his.
When I had my rifle on the shoulder as well.
Zaheer switched on the light again.
As mentioned earlier. The animal was getting disturbed by the light.
Sure enough we saw ....instead of pouncing on the bait. The maneater had now turned around.
He had probably seen the dead goat hanging closeby and would come back later for it rather than make a fresh kill.
I am not sure.
But what we do know was that this one was getting away and we had to shoot fast.
Three shots were fired and the maneater dropped dead . On the spot.
Arjuns first shot had hit the neck. Mine had hit the upper shoulder closer to the spine.
The maneater would have felt little pain. Died immediately.
I checked the time. 930 pm. The same time when more than a fortnight ago .....It had killed the woman.
Like in Fulsaini.
We managed to save the bait and kill the maneater.
Arjun sporting a big beard ......Yuck...Just the thought 
