Karakal

Caracal is a medium-sized feline, about 50 sm. at the shoulder and weighing 8-18 kg. With tufted ears, long legs, and relatively short tail, a Caracal resembles a Lynx, and in fact is sometimes called “Desert Lynx”. The range of Caracal covers Central Asia, India, Middle East, and Africa. It can thrive in a variety of habitats, from arid semi-deserts to savannah. Caracal hunting is legal in Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The problem with Caracal hunting is that a big male animal controls a very large territory, and success depends on the PH knowing precisely what parts of the territory the tom prefers. Baiting is not always effective, because the Caracal prefers the prey it killed itself. It’s best to wait over Caracal’s own fresh kill. Caracal tends to a nocturnal lifestyle, and if legal, calling at night, with night sights or artificial light, is perhaps the most efficient way of Caracal hunting. Some South African outfitters hold a special license for and specialize in such hunts. Finally, in South Africa, where you don’t need to have a Caracal license at hand before the hunt, the cat can be hunted if an opportunity presents itself. In fact, one of the biggest Caracal trophies in South Africa was killed as the cat killed the antelope the hunter was stalking before the hunter’s eyes.