Devprayag Part 2

[prashantsingh]

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.

[brihacharan]

Prashant wrote:
We were in for a shock when we saw the leopard sitting right there.
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. The animal was getting disturbed by the light.
Instead of pouncing on the bait, the man-eater had now turned around.
He had probably seen the dead goat hanging close by and would come back later for it rather than make a fresh kill.

But what we do know was that this one was getting away and we had to shoot fast.
Three shots were fired and the man-eater dropped dead on the spot.
Arjuns first shot had hit the neck & mine had hit the upper shoulder closer to the spine.
The man-eater would have felt little pain as it died immediately.
We managed to save the bait and kill the man-eater.

Prashant,
This above excerpt from your narration sounds almost 'prophetic', the Leopard had returned to pay his debt!
Analyzing the sequence of shots it appears that....
Arjun's shot which hit its neck (close to the brain) must have immobilized it & your second shot that hit the upper shoulder must have pierced its heart - Hence it dropped dead on the spot!!!
There's an old saying "All that begins well - Ends well", but in this "Things did not begin well, But ended well"!!!!!!
Of-course your classic ending " Saved the Bait & Killed the Man-Eater"!!!!!

Briha

[prashantsingh]

Briha Sir
Like most Indians I strongly believe in destiny.
When the locals would try and make fun of me. I had only one answer.
"Adamkhore ki jitni saanse oopar wale ne likkhi hain aur jiske haath uski maut likkhi hai .....waisa hi hoga. Hamara kaam hai karam karna. Woh ham kar rahe hain. "

The unexpected turn of events at the eleventh hour changed our mood completely. In all the excitement I hugged Safarigent and kissed him on the cheek. This was the first time I had kissed a man and was the most horrible experience in my life. Arjun sporting a big beard ......Yuck...Just the thought

Anyways. We got down from the roof . I took the light from Zaheers hand while Zaheer walked with his shotgun in hand. When we were about 10 feet away. He fired a shot. Just to make sure the animal was dead. Leopards, the most cunning big cats are known to fake death. This one though had died immediately.
The sound of gunfire echoed all around and soon we had a stream of villagers coming down.
This is the moment we were waiting for.
They were all so thankful. Those who had been rude to us appologised.
It was good to see the smile back on their faces. The fear now gone.
All the pain, the hardwork. Everything felt worthwhile.
We had worked hard and God had finally rewarded us.

[brihacharan]

Hi Prashant,
It was so heartening & reassuring to read your response....It was also hilarious to note your kissing Arjun's bearded face
Your patience (I mean all the 3 of you) and perseverance was finally rewarded...
As for the behavior of the villagers ....the less said the better....At least they were grateful in the end...
BTW....I am eager to know some info on the:
1. Gun you & Arjun used
2. The type & wt. of the cartridges
3. Approximate distance at which the leopard was shot
4. To what distance had you zeroed your scope
Regards
Briha

[ankur_ank007]

I was reading it holding my breath........ Amazing and mesmerizing tale.... It went like a cinematic film in front of my sights.... As said by Legendary Jim Corbett himself, hunting a man eating leopard is far more difficult that hunting a man eating tiger, as the leopards leaves the later much behind them when it comes to cunning intelligence and power to keep themselves stealth.

[Safarigent]

Briha sir

1. IOF .30-06
2. S&B 180 gn Soft nose.
3. 50 yards
4. The scope was zeroed to 2" high at 100 yards

[Harish Asnani]

Hard work pays at the end...I was just wondering if it is permitted to put the picture of Leopard and your weapons on this forum

[Safarigent]

Sorry harish.
Some things are better left to imagination

[dr.jayakumar]

dr.prasantsingh,
i have no words to praise....truly amazing.i hope someday i can join.
regards
dr.jk

[prashantsingh]

Harish I will ask Zaheer to put up snaps of the leopard.
My rifle photos are already there on thos forum.
I think under the heading
Making of the indo canadian 3006 or something.
This was the fourth maneater shot by the rifle. I am planning to dispose it and pick up an HnH .375 mag from an uncle.

[brihacharan]

Briha sir
1. IOF .30-06
2. S&B 180 gn Soft nose.
3. 50 yards
4. The scope was zeroed to 2" high at 100 yards

Thanks Arjun,
Agree - SB 180gr soft nose is a very potent ammo - expands (mushrooms) perfectly on impact
No wonder the leopard was anchored with the properly placed shot
Briha

Added in 5 minutes 1 second:

Harish I will ask Zaheer to put up snaps of the leopard.
My rifle photos are already there on this forum. I think under the heading-Making of the Indo-Canadian 3006 or something.
This was the fourth man-eater shot by the rifle. I am planning to dispose it and pick up an HnH .375 mag from an uncle.

Hi Prashant,
It's a lucky rifle bro - While a 375mag HnH is worthy of acquisition - My sincere request is to hold on to the IOF 30.06 as a memento towards its contribution in bagging 4 man-eaters
Its no small feat!!!
Briha

[prashantsingh]

I am a common citizen of the nation Briha Sir. Already have a pistol, 12 borr dbbl gun and a rifle. Have to sell this rifle before I can get another one.
My feeling is that the next problem animal in the state is going to be the elephant. Loss of habitat due to development projects is going to take its toll on these giants .....sooner or later.
The minimum cal for elephants is a 375 mag

[zaheer.bakshi]

This photo was taken after the hunt. Kindly excuse for poor photography due to low light and poor shooting skills

[brihacharan]

At last the 'Rogue' brought to rest!
Briha

[Hammerhead]

That's the service to your people and your country Prashant, you should be honoured at Indepence Day - Haji