310 Game Animals of the World

Caracal

Shot placement

Caracal

Medium-sized cat (shoulder height 45 cm (17.7”); weight 7 – 19 kg (15 - 42 lb)) that is overall pale yellowish-fawn to brick-red in colour and the short tail is similarly coloured. There are black and white markings on the face and the long, pointed ears are tipped by prominent tufts of hair. Ears dark backed with white flecking. Occurs from semi-desert to open and wooded savanna, high and low rainfall, with penetration into some forest types. Has a very wide distribution in Africa and ranges widely in Arabia and southern high Asia. Offered as a trophy in amongst others, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania. Most shot in South Africa where it is considered a problem animal.

German: Karakal

French: Caracal

Spanish: Caracal

CARACAL Caracal caracal

AFRICA

Rifles and AmmunitionSuggested Calibre: .224.Bullet: Coarse bird shot or expanding bullet.Sights: Open for hound hunting; otherwise medium-range variable.Hunting Conditions: For hound hunting, expect close shot (shotgun); otherwise, random opportunities.

Right front, 47 mm (1.8”) Right back, 55 mm (2.2”)

311

Shot placement

Wild cat

German: Wildkatze

French: Chat sauvage

Spanish: Gato salvaje

WILD CAT Felis silvestris

Scattered widely across Eurasia, Arabia and Africa, where it is quite common in some areas. A relatively small cat (shoulder height 35 cm (13.8”); weight 2- >6 kg (4- >13 lb)) that is variable in colour and markings with several races recognised on this basis. Similar in form to domestic cat but tends to be longer in the leg and shorter in the tail. Most have rufous-backed ears and overall body colour varies from pale sandy-brown to shades of grey, with variable dark vertical body stripes, sometimes dark ringing on the legs, and dark-ringed tail has a black tip. Although absent from tropical forest and much of true desert, occupies most habitat types. Offered as a huntable species mainly in some African countries and parts of Europe.

Wild cat

AFRICA

Rifles and AmmunitionSuggested Calibre: .224.Bullet: Expanding bullet.Sights: Medium-range variable.Hunting Conditions: Expect fleeting opportunities at close to medium range in mixed cover.

Right front, 36 mm (1.4”) Right back, 36 mm (1.4”)