Genet Cat hunting in South Africa

Genet Cats are nocturnal and can do some substantial damage when they find their way into a chicken coop. In South Africa you find two different species of Genets and these animals' distribution range do overlap to a certain degree. They are both cat-like animals with long slender bodies more like a mongoose, the family to which they belong. Their colouring is greyish-white with black spots on the body and black rings on their tail. The Small-spotted Genet has smaller spots and a white tip to its tail compared to the Large-spotted Genet with similar colouring larger spots and a black tip to the end of its tail. The Small-spotted genet is found predominantly in the central and western parts of the country where they can be hunted in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, North West, North, east and Western Cape. The large-spotted Genet may be hunted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the coastal stretch along the Eastern and Western Cape. Hunters do not necessarily select which species they would prefer to hunt but take either one when the opportunity presents itself. Genet Cats hunt at night feeding on small mammals, rodents and birds. This means you will be driving around shining and looking for a specimen to shoot. Their eyes reflect very strongly in the light and can be called making a mouse-like call. If cornered, Genets will hiss, spit and growl just like a cat. Classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special export permits are required but a night hunting permit may be required.