Caracal hunting in South Africa

Also called a Lynx or Rooikat (Red Cat) in Afrikaans, a name derived from their colour. They are a large rufous-fawn, red to dark brick red lynx-like cat resembling an American bobcat with tufted black ears. Found in a range of habitats from dry, savannah scrublands to rugged mountainous areas of the interior. A solitary, secretive animal hunting mostly at night and feeding on prey from the size of mice to Impala. They also jump incredibly high for their size plucking flying birds from the air. The favoured hunting areas for this species would be the semi-arid to mountainous regions of the country. This includes the provinces of the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Often offered as a huntable species by stock farmers as a problem animal for killing domesticated stock. Caracals may be hunted during a chance day encounter, otherwise at night when driving around shining and sometimes over bait. They respond to predator callers and can be hunted with hounds in the Eastern Cape. Being excellent climbers, they will take refuge in trees when bayed by dogs giving hunters an opportunity to catch their breath and take a shot. Classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special hunting permits are required.